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The Penn State Altoona athletics department announced the hiring of Tyshawn White to be the head coach of its NCAA Division III men's and women's wrestling program on Thursday.
White comes to Penn State Altoona from Division II Chadron State College, where he served as an assistant coach for an Eagles men's wrestling team that won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and made a D-II Super Region postseason appearance last season. He will now lead Penn State Altoona's resurrected wrestling program, which was announced last summer as an addition to the department's NCAA sport offerings after previously being discontinued in the 1980s.
"We are indeed fortunate to have such a gifted, aspirational coach as Tyshawn be at the helm at the resurgence of men's wrestling and the inauguration of women's wrestling at Penn State Altoona," Penn State Altoona Chancellor Dr. Ron W. Darbeau said. "His knowledge, skills, and desire to build these programs, as well as his genuine love of coaching, will make him a true asset to our campus. We look forward to years of success in both programs as the campus ushers in a new era of growth -- with athletic success being a principal driver."
White has deep Pennsylvania ties and a first-hand knowledge of the wrestling community in the region. A native of Harrisburg, he graduated from Central Dauphin High School and went on to wrestle collegiately at Lock Haven, Clarion, and Shippensburg Universities.
"I am very pleased to welcome Tyshawn White to our department. I believe he has the drive and determination to build the foundation of our wrestling programs," Penn State Altoona AD Brent Baird said. "His knowledge and skill will be great assets for him to be successful. I know his knowledge of wrestling talent in central Pennsylvania will allow him to establish recruiting contacts that will bring the best available wrestlers to Penn State Altoona. I look forward to working closely with Coach White to build a successful program."
White is eager to bring his knowledge and passion of wrestling to Penn State Altoona as it reintroduces the men's program and establishes a women's program.
"I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to develop Penn State Altoona wrestling. The campus is beautiful, and the community is more supportive and welcoming than I could have imagined," White said. "Men's wrestling has been my home and passion since I began wrestling myself, and now getting to help write the history for women's wrestling here at Penn State Altoona is a privilege. I can't thank the athletics department enough for supporting me in this role, and I am eager to get started, meet my teams, and show the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference what we can do."
At Chadron State, White was responsible for lightweights from 125 to 149 pounds while also assisting in management, development, and success, with an emphasis on athlete education, safety, and opportunity.
Penn State Altoona's men's and women's wrestling teams will begin NCAA intercollegiate competition in 2024-25. The teams' schedules will be announced this summer.