Mike Ritchey, one of the most respected figures in small-college wrestling and the longtime heartbeat of the sport at Southern Oregon University, begins his first season as Head Men's Wrestling Coach at Southwestern Oregon Community College for the 24-25 season.
In his 36th year as a competitor or a coach for the perennial NAIA powerhouse, Ritchey also oversaw the SOU's women's wrestling program from 2017-19.
Since becoming the school’s first four-time NAIA All-American during his wrestling days, Ritchey has guided the Raiders to a dual record of 230-99 (making him the second-winningest coach in program history), 14 conference or regional titles and 12 top-five team finishes at the NAIA Championships.
The nine-time regional coach of the year has overseen 22 of SOU’s 35 individual national titles, including those of Brock Gutches, who in 2015 became the seventh four-time champion in NAIA history and the first to do it at 174 pounds.
After Ritchey took over as head coach in 1995, SOU extended its record-setting streak of consecutive winning seasons to 48, and he has guided 136 NAIA All-Americans and 20 national academic all-stars.
Ritchey’s crowning career achievement to date came in March 2001 when the fifth-ranked (and darkhorse) Raiders captured the school’s fourth NAIA team championship, and he became only the second coach in school history to earn NAIA coach-of-the-year kudos in the process.
Ritchey also led the 2009 squad to the program's first-ever NWCA National Dual Meet Championship and also back-to-back second place finishes at the NAIA National Championships in 2009 and 2010. The Raiders were back-to-back runners up again in 2012 and 2013, and Ritchey was the NAIA's coach of the year for the third time in the latter season.
In 2015, he led the Raiders to their fifth runner-up finish in seven seasons behind six All-America performances and titles for Gutches and Taylor Johnson.
“I believe wrestling is crucial to the development of quality young people in our society.
I am excited to work with a great staff and administration to help young people achieve their Academic and Athletic goals while serving Southwestern in this capacity.
I have great respect for Adam Whitlatch and what he has built here at SWOCC.
In 2001, three members of our national championship team were Lakers. I am looking forward to giving back.
I feel blessed that things are coming together with my staff and believe my Head Assistant, Zane Wardwell will bring a great knowledge of strength and conditioning, as well as wrestling being a two time OSAA state champion. He is a great addition to our staff. He has a great demeanor with people and will be a an awesome asset to campus.”
Recently
2021-22 Sprague HS Head Coach
MVC conference Champions record 8 conference Champions
OSAA State Runner up Sprague Record 5 state Champions
2022-23 Volunteer Freshman Coach
2023-24 Corban University Assistant Coach
Highest Team finish in conference
3 All Conference Selections
7 Qualifiers for the NAIA's
1 National Finalist
Team finished 5th in the Nation Academically
