Portage grad McMurray leaving Michigan State wrestling team

An NCAA tournament berth in his freshman year may have suggested that all was good with Sean McMurray at Michigan State.

In reality, it wasn't.

"The coach (Tom Minkel) and I didn't see eye to eye, not only about wrestling, but about life," McMurray said. "The way they do things, the way they accept things, it's a lot different. We butted heads and he felt challenged. I respect the guy, but at the same time, I disagree with a lot of the things he does. I was vocal about those things and he didn't like that very much. He heard me talking about him and I heard him talking about me. It really wasn't a healthy situation."

As a result, the three-time Indiana high school state champion from Portage is redshirting this season and will transfer to another school.

"It's in the better interests of my wrestling career," McMurray said. "I really love everything about the people. It's a bunch of awesome guys and it breaks my heart that their potential isn't being met. Yeah, I made the NCAAs, but that's not my goal. That's nowhere near my goal. I don't want to waste away being a four-time NCAA qualifier. I want to be a national champion and I wasn't being put in the best possible position to do that."

Minkel declined comment through the Michigan State Sports Information Department. They did confirm that McMurray is no longer with the program and has been granted his release.

Initially, McMurray was restricted from using wrestling facilities, but he is now back working out there regularly without any problems.

"It became a really bitter time," McMurray said. "My assistant coach (Roger Chandler) is great. I wish he was the head coach, but that's not the way it is. A lot changed while I was here. There was a lot more control than I expected. I was pushed out of Michigan State. Once the coach says it's better that you leave, you don't have a choice anymore. It's just another chapter in the book."

The next recruiting process has already begun for McMurray, who recently visited the University of Minnesota.

"My phone's been ringing off the hook," McMurray said. "I was very impressed (with Minnesota). I hear (former Minnesota All-American and Portage coach Leroy) Vega talk about it all the time — tough, hard-nosed, winning championships, the feeling of being invincible. It's more down my alley."

McMurray has three other official visits and he plans to use them all. Purdue, Illinois and Edinboro were other schools he mentioned.

"I went (to Michigan State) because it's the Big Ten," he said. "It's the big stage, the only stage, the best conference in the country. The talent is ridiculous. We're talking about a lot of money, so I'm going to be really open-minded. I'm going to see where I fit in, in terms of the team, the coaches, reaching my potential. Wherever I go, I want to go out leaving my mark, leaving with wrestling memories that will give my kids goosebumps."