The 2000 NCAA Champion at 125 pounds, Jeremy Hunter joined the Illini wrestling staff as an assistant coach in 2001. Hunter wrestled post-collegiately for four years (2000-04), competing in two World Team Trials and the 2004 Olympic Trials, where he finished fourth at 55 kg.

Hunter has shown great versatility in his coaching, as he was a big factor in the success of NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado (125), often drilling with him in workouts. He was also a critical piece in the success of Lucas Byrd's national and Big Ten title runs in 2025 as he was always in his corner and one of his most frequent workout partners. Hunter has also guided All-Americans Jimmy Kennedy (133), Byrd (133), Mike Poeta (157) and John Wise (HWT).

A three-time All-American at Penn State University, Hunter ended his career ranked third all-time with 62 dual meet wins and 29 career pins. His 123 career victories are tied for fifth and his 14-5 NCAA Tournament record ranks ninth in the Nittany Lion record books. He placed fifth in 1998 and was the NCAA runner-up in 1999.

Hunter won a Big Ten title in 1999 and placed among the top three on four occasions during his Penn State career. He earned Big Ten Wrestler of the Year honors in 2000 after his second-straight 33-1 season and was the conference's Rookie of the Year in 1997. A four-year dual-meet starter, he led the Nittany Lions in scoring for three straight seasons and posted a string of 41-straight dual-meet wins.