Roger Chandler Talks to TDR TV, Athletes are Heading Back to Campus

Roger Chandler begins his 14th year as assistant coach at Michigan State.

“Roger is an outstanding all-around college coach,” head coach Tom Minkel said. “In addition to being an exceptional wrestler himself, he is an excellent coach as well as a very organized administrator. He’s just invaluable to our program.”

Chandler was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. The IU Male Athlete of the Year in 1996-97, Chandler was a three-time All-America wrestler at Indiana from 1995-97, finishing eighth in 1995, third in 1996 and second in 1997 at the NCAA Championships. His only loss at the 1997 NCAA tournament came against Cary Kolat of Lock Haven, a two-time NCAA champion and 1997 World Championship runner-up. The Big Ten Champion at 142 pounds in 1997, Chandler finished his Indiana career with a 134-25 record. Chandler graduated from Indiana in 1997 with a degree in sport management.

In high school, Chandler was the 1992 Ohio state champion, wrestling on a team that produced 12 state champions and eight national champions. He ended his prep career with a 112-12 mark.

While at Michigan State, Chandler has helped produced eight different All-Americans for a total of 16 selections. He served has also served as head coach of the Ohio Junior National Freestyle team in 1998 and 1999.

Chandler is a native of Sheffield Lake, Ohio. His wife, Mandy, is an academic coordinator for Michigan State in the Student-Athlete Academic Services. The couple have two daughters, Kira (9) and Kylee (6).