Manheim, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is proud to announce that the 2026 NWCA Annual Convention, proudly sponsored by Cliff Keen, Cluffy, Defense Soap, Drip Drop, Resilite, and the United States Marine Corps, will feature a premier Technique Session led by this year's national high school coaches of the year. The session will take place on Thursday, July 31, from 3:45-5:00 pm in Room Maryland E/F.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn directly from two of the nation's most decorated high school wrestling coaches:
Boys Head Coach of the Year: Mitch Hancock
Detroit Catholic Central High School, Michigan
Mitch Hancock has established himself as one of the most accomplished high school wrestling coaches in the United States. In his 20 years as head coach at Detroit Catholic Central, Hancock has built and sustained a nationally elite program with a career record of 425–68. His achievements include:
- 11 MHSAA Division 1 Team State Championships, including 4 consecutive state titles
- 18 Total Program State Championships
- 58+ Individual MHSAA State Champions and 100+ All-State Wrestlers
- A program consistently ranked among the top high school wrestling teams in the nation for 15+ years
- Recognition as a national pipeline program for collegiate wrestling talent
- Development of athletes who have gone on to compete at NCAA Division I, II, and III levels
Girls Head Coach of the Year: David Ochoa
Northview High School, California
David Ochoa brings 47 years of overall coaching experience and 37 years of leadership at Northview High School in California. His accomplishments in developing girls' wrestling are extraordinary:
- 2025–26 Season Record: 78–5 dual-meet record
- 60 California State Placers including 12 state champions
- 194 CIF Division Placers including 36 CIF Individual Champions
- 10 League Championships and 24 Valle Vista League championships during his tenure
- 9 Regional/Division Championships and 7 Masters Championships
- 8 CIF Team Top-3 Finishes
- 1 CIF Team State Championship
Ochoa was previously named the 2008 United States Girls Wrestling Association National Coach of the Year and was inducted into both the California Wrestling Hall of Fame (2018) and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, California Chapter (2019). Under his leadership, Northview has not lost a league dual in 22 years. He was a pioneer in establishing feeder programs and advocating for girls wrestling at the national level.
Register Now
The 2026 NWCA Annual Convention offers unparalleled professional development and networking for wrestling coaches nationwide. To register for the convention and view the full schedule of events, visit www.nwcaconvention.com.
