Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Valentine announced on Sept. 26, 2016 the hiring of Yury Molchan as the new head men’s and women’s fencing coach. 

Molchan spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State from 2010-2014, coaching the Buckeyes foilists. Ohio State won the NCAA Championship in 2012 and finished fourth in 2013 and 2014. The Buckeyes also won two Midwest Conference championships in 2012 and 2014. Molchan coached two Olympians at Ohio State in Zain Shaito, who won an individual NCAA title in 2012, and Mona Shaito who took third at the NCAA Championships twice in 2012 and 2013.

Prior to Ohio State, Molchan was Vice-Dean of the men’s and women’s fencing coaching department at P.F. Lesgaft National State University of Physical Training, Sports and Health in St. Petersburg, Russia. He also spent 10 years with the Russian National Team as a both fencer and instructor. 

Molchan was a member of the Russian National U-16, U-19, and Senior National team from 2000-2008. He won gold medals at the 2004 European Fencing Championships and 2008 World Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Molchan won a bronze medal in the team event. He is a five-time Russian National Champion at two-time National Champion at both the U-19 and U-16 levels.