HFC wrestling alumni return to the College as assistant coaches
As the 2025-26 season gets underway, Head Wresting Coach Grant MacKenzie has brought two new assistant coaches onto his staff. Both are distinguished Hawk alumni: Jager Kwiatkowski and Diante Taylor.
Jager Kwiatkowski
Kwiatkowski, who attended HFC on a wrestling scholarship, was named a 2023 All-American at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCCA) Wrestling Championships. He was also named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA)’s Wrestler of the Year.
Kwiatkowski studied accounting at HFC and then transferred to Rochester Christian University on a wrestling scholarship. At RCU, he continued his wrestling career for two seasons, placing third in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and fifth the following year. He will graduate from RCU at the end of 2025, earning his bachelor’s degree in business management.
“I wanted to return to HFC because the wrestling program gave a lot to me right out of high school. I wanted to come back to the program that did so much for me,” said Kwiatkowski, of Livonia.
During his freshman year at Franklin High School in Livonia, Kwiatkowski achieved 30 wins and earned his varsity letter. His overall record in high school was 155-33. He competed in the state finals three times. Kwiatkowski was recruited by five Division 3 schools. After speaking to MacKenzie, he signed on with the Hawks.
“Coach MacKenzie was a great coach to work with as an athlete. He’s an even better leader. He gives me a lot of opportunities and freedom in the wrestling room. He trusts me to run practices properly,” said Kwiatkowski. “As a young coach, I’m able to wrestle and be on the mat with the team. I’m excited to see how our team will compete this season. I know my career will be connected with wrestling, a sport I’ve been around my whole life. One of the happiest times of my life was wrestling at HFC. I’m looking forward to seeing where this opportunity takes me.”
Besides MacKenzie, Kwiatkowski learned a lot from former Franklin wrestling coach Dave Chiola and RCU wrestling coach Wesley Maskill. He called them “incredible coaches.”
“Coach Chiola taught me how to not only use my skills on the mat, but how to use them in life. Coach Mackenzie continues to teach me how to manage a variety of people and when it’s the right time to push harder. Coach Maskill taught me the importance of team chemistry and how to lead by example,” said Kwiatkowski. “As I transition from a wrestler to a coach, I am excited to utilize these lessons and skills to create my own coaching philosophy.”
Diante Taylor
At the end of his senior year at Center Line High School, Taylor had no football scholarship offers. His record in wrestling his senior year was 46-6, but he hadn't been able to compete in the state tournament due to injuries.
“I felt I still had more left in the tank,” recalled Taylor. “Coach MacKenzie was the only person who called me and offered an opportunity to compete at the college level.”
Taylor attended HFC on a wrestling scholarship. He earned his associate degree in physical therapist assistant. During his time as a Hawk, he competed in the NCJAA Wrestling Championships.
Taylor transferred to the University of Jamestown in North Dakota, which he attended on an athletic scholarship. He wrestled and played football. He graduated from Jamestown, earning his bachelor’s degree in health and fitness administration with a minor in business and a personal trainer certification.
HFC is Taylor’s first foray into coaching.
“I want athletes to have opportunities that I didn’t have when I was starting college,” he said. “I want to be the person who gives them the hope to achieve their dreams.”
Like Kwiatkowski, Taylor is happy to be back at the College.
“It feels good to be back at HFC,” he said. “I know the system inside and out. I know Coach MacKenzie. He brings out the best in his athletes. HFC prepared me for Jamestown. It prepared me mentally and gave me the courage I needed to leave the state on my own and pave a road for myself.”
Growth, gratitude, and coming full circle
MacKenzie is proud to have Kwiatkowski and Taylor by his side during the season.
“It’s a beautiful thing when former wrestlers return to the program as assistant coaches,” said MacKenzie. “Jager and Diante both continued their wrestling journeys, earned their bachelor’s degrees, and now give back to the next generation. That’s what it’s all about: Growth, gratitude, and coming full circle.”