Alumnus Mitch Arnold named head wrestling coach

Written by: Newman Athletics

Newman Athletics announced Mitch Arnold as the next head wrestling coach. Arnold returns to Newman with 10 years of wrestling coaching experience under his belt.

“We are excited to have Mitch return to Newman,” said Interim Athletic Director Billy Murphy. “He’s a former wrestler and alumnus here at Newman. He’s going to do a great job leading the program into the future.”

This is the third stint on the staff for Arnold. He rejoins the Jets after being an assistant coach from 2012-2016 and then again in 2023-2024.

In between stints as a Newman assistant coach, Arnold spent years coaching at Andover Central High School and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.

“I’m very excited and honored to be able to return to Newman, especially already having relationships with the wrestlers, to be able to hit the ground running and not miss a beat,” said Arnold. “We are going to be a team that is good at putting points on the board and be able to wrestle through any situation. Going into next season, (it’s going to be) all gas and no brakes.”

Arnold was a four-year student-athlete for the Newman wrestling program. As a Jet, he was a two-time NCAA national qualifier in 2010 and 2012, and the first NCAA qualifier for the Newman wrestling program. As a student at Newman, Arnold graduated with his degree in communication in 2013.

Prior to Newman, Arnold attended Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, where he led his team to three state championships. Bishop Carroll was ranked 16th in the nation in 2007 and 2008. Arnold is a three-time Kansas state champion in wrestling and was also a freshman national champion and a high school All-American.

“Taking over the program now, after being a wrestler and assistant coach, means so much to me because Newman has always been my only home,” said Arnold. “It is definitely a full circle moment for myself, from signing my commitment as a senior in high school, wanting to leave my name on the program and now all these years later, and becoming the head coach. This will always be a special moment in my life and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Arnold is the third-ever Newman wrestling head coach. He follows Smith (2008-25) and Mark Stovall (2004-08).