GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Chris Haines, a nationally recognized leader in Pennsylvania women's wrestling, has been named the first head coach of women's wrestling team at Gettysburg College, announced by Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Troy Dell on Wednesday.

The College announced the addition of women's wrestling as its 25th varsity sport on Tuesday.

Haines has spent the last 13 seasons as the head coach at Gettysburg High School. A 23-year coaching veteran at the high school level, he has posted a career dual record of 311-108.

"We are excited to have Chris start and build our women's wrestling program," Dell said. "He immediately brings a recognizable name, especially within the Pennsylvania high school wrestling community. He is also well respected in large part because of the high level of success he has had with PAUSA Wrestling. I am excited for Chris to get started and build this sport from the ground up at Gettysburg."

In addition to serving as head coach at Gettysburg High since 2013, he was an assistant from 2009-13. Prior to returning home, he was an assistant coach at Millbrook High School in 2003-04 before being elevated to head coach from 2004-09.

A five-time PIAA District 3 Coach of the Year, he was named the PAUSA Wrestling inaugural girls' wrestling coach of the year in 2021. He garnered the 2023-24 NFHS/Pennsylvania Girls' Wrestling Coach of the Year and the 2024 PennLive Boys' Wrestling Coach of the Year, when he led the Warriors to a District 3 team championship and third-place showing at the regional. He led Gettysburg to five district dual championships and won the regional tournament this year.

"I am deeply honored to accept the position of head women's wrestling coach at Gettysburg College," Haines said. "To build a brand-new program is a rare opportunity – not just to develop athletes, but to shape a culture rooted in discipline, resilience, integrity and academic excellence. We will honor the proud traditions of Gettysburg College while forging our own identity – one defined by relentless effort, unity and empowerment. Our mission is simple: develop strong women who compete with grit, lead with character, and compete for conference, regional and national championships. The foundation we lay today will become the standard for years to come."

He has also served as the director of both the Haines Trained Wrestling Club and Gettysburg Youth Wrestling Club since 2009.

Over his coaching career between high school and club, he has coached one Pan Am champion, six national champions, 19 All-Americans, 16 state champions and 30 state placewinners.

He has also served as a Pennsylvania women's national team coach since 2019 and the Director of Coaching Development for PAUSA Wrestling since 2024.

Over the last three years, PAUSA Wrestling has produced 16U Fargo team championships in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as well as the Junior Fargo team championship in 2025. They have produced no fewer than nine 16U All-Americans in each of those championship years. Since the start of his coaching with PAUSA Wrestling, he has helped develop more than 90 16U and Junior Fargo All-Americans.

A local product, he wrestled at Gettysburg High School from 1996-98 and went on to compete at Division I Lock Haven. He still actively competes in USA wrestling events.

He graduated with a bachelor's in social science from Lock Haven in 2003.

Gettysburg will begin its first season of intercollegiate women's wrestling next fall.