NRT Coach Robert Eriksson Leaves for New Opportunity

USA Judo announced today that National Resident Team (NRT) Program Head Coach Robert Eriksson has accepted a new coaching position in Europe starting in February 2025. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.

“Resigning as Head Coach of USA Judo’s National Resident Team was a very difficult and emotional decision,” said Eriksson. “It has been a very intensive period in the USA and in a short time we established a new training center and created a great resident team with very talented individuals. Leaving them is very hard but I am sure they will continue their development in judo and have further success. I met a lot of great people during my time in the U.S. which I am very grateful, and I will leave as a better and more experienced coach. I appreciate the support I have received from the judo community in the USA, and I wish the best of success for the upcoming generations of athletes and coaches toward LA 2028 and beyond.”

Eriksson, a four-time Olympic coach for Sweden, led the inaugural full-time USA Judo National Resident Team (NRT) Program based out of the United States Performance Center in Charlotte, N.C. The program offers athletes access to judo training and a wide breadth of sports performance resources including sports medicine, sports psychology, nutrition, strength and conditioning and rehabilitation support. Resident team members also receive financial support for housing, training and competition expenses.

“Robert has been an integral part of launching the USA Judo National Resident Team Program and for that we are grateful,” said USA Judo CEO Keith Bryant. “The program and the athletes involved have seen substantial growth in the past year under his direction, proving the NRT concept is a valuable one. We wish Robert the best in his new role and look forward to quickly hiring a new coach to continue the success we’ve had at the USPC and the continued development of USA Judo athletes.”

Those interested in the NRT Coaching program can go here for the job description and application details: https://www.usajudo.com/about-us/careers.