GLENSIDE -- The Arcadia University Department of Athletics and Recreation has announced the hiring of Michael Childs as the first head women's wrestling coach in program history. Childs will begin his duties at Arcadia on April 8th as he prepares for the program's first season of competition in 2025-26.

"I am tremendously excited and thankful for the opportunity to lead a new women's wrestling program at a wonderful institution like Arcadia University," Childs explained. "I'm grateful to the hiring committee at Arcadia for their thoughtfulness throughout the interview process. There was a unique kindness and respect all through my interactions that made me feel comfortable and incredibly excited to begin this journey."

Childs comes to Arcadia after serving as an assistant men's wrestling coach for five seasons and an assistant women's wrestling coach for two seasons at Ursinus College. While with the Bears, Childs assisted in practice planning, helped teach technique, and assisted with match day preparation. Childs also assisted in recruiting, video analysis, and goal setting/action steps.

"Coach Childs is a very accomplished wrestler and has an extensive background as a wrestling coach at the collegiate level," Executive Director of Athletics Brian Granata said. "He is uniquely positioned to leverage his network of coaches and various connections to develop our women's wrestling program and help it be successful in short order. We are excited to welcome him into our Arcadia Athletics community and look forward to seeing him executive his vision for our program."

Prior to his time at Ursinus, Childs gained experience as an assistant coach at Division I Franklin & Marshall from 2012-2015, helping coach the first All-American for the Diplomats in 32 years. Childs gained his first collegiate coaching experience at Division I Davidson for two seasons. Childs began his coaching career at numerous Philadelphia-area high schools before transitioning to the collegiate level.

"To be entrusted with the opportunity to begin and build a new women's program is one that I'm incredibly grateful and excited about," Childs continued. "This trust is something I do not take for granted. This University has an excellent reputation, and as a brother of an alumnus, and Philadelphia area native, I've been familiar with Arcadia for decades. When I first heard about Arcadia starting a men's and women's program I was certain that this was a landscape where wrestling could flourish and have a lasting impact not just for the student athletes but for the institution as a whole. I've spent my life on or around a wrestling mat, and the lessons I've learned from this sport and the coaches, colleagues, and athletes that I've been lucky enough to have built relationships with are cherished. I look forward to continuing to build relationships with and through Arcadia."

Childs graduated from Drexel University in 2003 with a degree in Psychology, where he was a four-year member of the Dragons Division I program. At Drexel, Childs was mentored by his father, Jack Childs, the Head Coach of the Dragons for 35 years and a member of five different Halls of Fame. At Radnor High School, Childs amassed 91 career victories while earning a Section V Championship, District I Championship, Southeast Regional Runner-Up finish, and a top-eight finish at the PIAA State Tournament. Childs was also a Pennsylvania Freestyle State Champion and two-time Pa. Keystone State Games Champion.