Caden Steffen is in his third season as MSUM wrestling's top assistant coach. Head coach Kris Nelson announced Steffen's hiring in June of 2024.
In Steffen's second season, he only upped the level of competitiveness from Moorhead's big weights. Heavyweight Liam Babitt led the team with 22 victories, including seven wins via fall. Babitt placed fifth at NCAA Super Region V. Additionally, Anthony Sykora (174), Edon Davis (184) and Wyatt Powell (197) all secured 10 or more wins on the year. Steffen was also key in Pedro Velazquez's second straight trip to the NCAA Championships.
Steffen made an immediate impact on the program in his first season in Moorhead, helping qualify both Ryan Henningson (133 pounds) and Pedro Velazquez (141 pounds) for the NCAA Championships. Henningson and Velazquez were both Super Region V runners-up in their respective weight classes. Steffen was also instrumental in the development and success of heavyweight Liam Babitt and 174-pounder Mason Gode, who narrowly missed qualifying for the national meet.
Originally from Zumbrota, Minn., Steffen enjoyed an incredible collegiate wrestling career at NSIC member school Southwest Minnesota State. Steffen was a three-time national qualifier at 184 pounds while earning two All-America certificates. Steffen finished fifth in the nation at 184 pounds in 2021, following that up with a sixth-place finish the following season. In his prep career at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School, Steffen was a two-time Minnesota State champion.
Steffen has close ties to Moorhead as his sister Avery played softball for the Dragons from 2022 until 2025.
