MITCH HOUGHTON TABBED AS HEAD WRESTLING COACH
May 26, 2021
LINDSBORG - The Bethany College Department of Athletics and Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno are pleased to announce Mitch Houghton as the new Head Wrestling Coach. Houghton will begin his duties at Bethany College on June 1 and takes over for KCAC Co-Coach of the Year Courtney Strauss who stepped down earlier this month to pursue other career opportunities. "We want to thank Coach Strauss for his leadership of Swedes Wrestling and his service to Bethany College over the last three seasons as our Head Coach" said Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno.
"We are very excited to welcome Coach Mitch Houghton as our Head Wrestling Coach. Coach Houghton not only brings a competitive mindset and disciplined structure, but also understands the importance of prioritizing academics, recruitment, retention, culture, and community involvement. Coach Houghton is an overall great fit for Bethany College and the Lindsborg Community, and we look forward to seeing him direct Swedes Wrestling.'' added Moreno.
Coach Houghton comes to Bethany College after serving the last three years as the Head Coach at Colby Community College. While at Colby Coach Houghton directed the Trojans to the 2019-2020 KJCCC West Championship. Coach Houghton also saw twelve of his grapplers become West Central District Placers while seventeen Trojans were NJCAA National Qualifiers under his leadership.
Prior to taking the reins of the Colby program Coach Houghton served as an assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College from 2015 through 2018. During his time at Iowa Western he oversaw the programs strength and conditioning programs, academics, recruiting, and travel. Thirty-Seven Reivers were NJCAA National Qualifiers with eighteen earning NJCAA All American status, with three becoming NJCAA National Runner-ups, and one NJCAA National Champion. While at Iowa Western Coach Houghton was responsible for the Reivers signing the 10th ranked non-Division I recruiting class in in the country for 2017.
Coach Houghton got his start as a student-assistant at Bacone College during the 2014-2015 season. Houghton received his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Bacone College in 2014 and earned his Master's degree in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University in 2020.
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"We are very excited to welcome Coach Mitch Houghton as our Head Wrestling Coach. Coach Houghton not only brings a competitive mindset and disciplined structure, but also understands the importance of prioritizing academics, recruitment, retention, culture, and community involvement. Coach Houghton is an overall great fit for Bethany College and the Lindsborg Community, and we look forward to seeing him direct Swedes Wrestling.'' added Moreno.
Coach Houghton comes to Bethany College after serving the last three years as the Head Coach at Colby Community College. While at Colby Coach Houghton directed the Trojans to the 2019-2020 KJCCC West Championship. Coach Houghton also saw twelve of his grapplers become West Central District Placers while seventeen Trojans were NJCAA National Qualifiers under his leadership.
Prior to taking the reins of the Colby program Coach Houghton served as an assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College from 2015 through 2018. During his time at Iowa Western he oversaw the programs strength and conditioning programs, academics, recruiting, and travel. Thirty-Seven Reivers were NJCAA National Qualifiers with eighteen earning NJCAA All American status, with three becoming NJCAA National Runner-ups, and one NJCAA National Champion. While at Iowa Western Coach Houghton was responsible for the Reivers signing the 10th ranked non-Division I recruiting class in in the country for 2017.
Coach Houghton got his start as a student-assistant at Bacone College during the 2014-2015 season. Houghton received his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Bacone College in 2014 and earned his Master's degree in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University in 2020.
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Bethany College is proud to announce the 2025 Alumni & Athletic Hall of Honor Awards, celebrating the achievements and lifelong impact of outstanding alumni, coaches, and athletes. The event will take place on Friday, October 17 from 4–6pm at Lindquist Hall in the Wallerstedt Library.
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