HARTFORD, Conn. – Trinity College has announced a transition in leadership of its wrestling program, as longtime head coach Sebastian "Sebby" Amato is retiring from coaching and Brendan Weir has been named the Bantams' new head wrestling coach, effective September of 2026.
 
Amato concludes a distinguished coaching career at Trinity that spanned more than two decades across two separate tenures. He returned to the Bantam program in 2019-20 after previously leading Trinity wrestling from 1986 to 2005.
 
Amato is Trinity's all-time winningest wrestling coach, compiling a career dual-match record of 216-259-3. During his time on the Trinity bench, he coached 10 All-Americans, 18 NCAA National Championship qualifiers, 68 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) All-New England honorees and three NEWA All-Rookie selections.
 
"Trinity is indebted to Coach Sebby Amato for his two distinct and legendary tenures, during one incredible career, as the leader of the Bantam Wrestling program," said Trinity College Director of Athletics Gavin Viano. "While it is bittersweet to have him step away from the program that he built up to the national level, Coach Amato leaves the program in a strong position, with a competitive and talented roster and the ability to continue to pursue championship aspirations well into the future. Sebby's belief in Coach Weir's ability to lead the Bantams, gives us great confidence, that we will continue to honor the legacy he is leaving us. Thank you, Coach Amato, you are forever a Bantam!"
 
During his first tenure at Trinity, Amato guided the Bantams to unprecedented success, including the program's only NEWA Championship in 2000-01. That team posted a program-best 23-3 record, finished second at the NECCWA Championships and captured the NECCWA Duals Championship in 2002-03. Amato earned New England Coach of the Year honors in 2000-01. Since returning in 2019, Amato has coached 18 regional placers, 3 national qualifiers, and 14 NWCA scholar all-American. 
 
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Amato was a successful collegiate wrestler at Western New England College, where he served as a team captain and won a New England Championship at 142 pounds while qualifying for the NCAA Championships twice. He also coached at Wesleyan University and Central Connecticut State University before and between his Trinity tenures.
 
Amato is a member of the NECCWA Hall of Fame, Western New England University Athletic Hall of Fame and City of New Britain Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
Weir Named New Head Coach
Weir takes over the Trinity wrestling program following five seasons as a full-time assistant coach on Amato's staff. He joined the Bantams in 2021 after spending two seasons as a graduate assistant with the wrestling program at Western New England University.
 
"Brendan Weir has poured his heart and soul into Bantam Wrestling since being hired by Coach Amato in 2021," continued Viano. "Coach Weir is a respected member of our department and has exhibited strong commitment to our student-athletes as well as our championship aspirations during his time on campus. We're thrilled to bestow this great opportunity upon him, as we start the 2026-27 season, and we look forward to watching him develop our current Bantam wrestlers on the mat this winter. Congratulations and best of luck to Coach Weir and his team as they prepare to get the season underway." 
 
During his time at Western New England, Weir helped coach three All-Americans and seven Scholar All-Americans. He earned a bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Southern Maine in 2019 before completing a master's degree in sport leadership and coaching at Western New England.
 
A former team captain at Southern Maine, Weir was a two-time Northeast Region placewinner and earned NEWA All-Conference and All-Academic recognition three times. He was also a 2016 National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American and received the Albert D. Bean Jr. Leadership Award.
 
"I'm extremely honored and excited to be named Head Wrestling Coach at Trinity College," said Weir. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to build on the momentum and success Coach Amato has brought back to this program, and I'm excited for what's ahead for Trinity Wrestling. Thank you to Gavin Viano, Kristen Noone, and Amber Dubnov for their leadership, support, and commitment to excellence throughout this transition. Most importantly, I want to thank Coach Amato for his dedication to Trinity Wrestling and for the mentorship he has provided throughout my time coaching alongside him."
 
During his tenure on Amato's staff, Weir has been an integral part of the development of the Bantam wrestling program. Trinity produced five All-NEWA honorees and 14 NEWA All-Academic selections during the 2025-26 season. Sophomore Ty Trickle earned Second Team All-NEWA honors and qualified for the NCAA Championships after placing third at the Region 1 Championships, while first-year Nicholas Ebrahimi was selected to the NEWA All-Rookie Team.
 
Weir inherits a program with a strong tradition of success and a returning group that includes several recent All-NEWA performers and NCAA regional qualifiers. Amato's retirement marks the conclusion of one of the most accomplished coaching careers in Trinity wrestling history, while Weir's appointment provides continuity as the Bantams enter a new era of the program.