The dean of the NCCC coaches, Head Coach Eric Knuutila has been the the Thunderwolves Wrestling Coach since the programs inception 38 years ago.

During that time Knuutila has piled up numerous awards along with individual wrestlers and is being recognized at all levels. Knuutila was named the Region III “Coach of the Year” on 13 occasions, and in 1990, he was the NJCAA “Man of the Year.” Knuutila’s individual wrestling awards include 35 NJCAA All American and 101 individual Region III Champions.

Knuutila has been inducted into NCCC's, Region III's (as a wrestler), NJCAA and the New York State Collegiate Hall of Fames. In 2010, Knuutila was inducted into the NY Chapter National Hall of Fame.

Knuutila also is second in the NJCAA coaches List for the most wins with 369. Throughout the 38 years he has coached, more than 485 wrestlers and NCCC has had four national champions (Willie Moore 1977, Mark Jurek 1989, Dan Uhteg 1991, Rashad Evans 2000) and has won the regional title 16 times.

For the past 16 years Knuutila has also been a member of the golf coaching staff. He helped re-establish one of NCCC’s most prominent sports just over a decade ago.

The golf team has shown steady progress during Knuutila’s reign, finishing ninth nationally in 2006 in NJCAA Division III.

Knuutila says he would not be as successful as he is today without the love and support from his wife, Linda, daughter, Kristin, and son, Jason.