PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland State Director of Athletics Teri Mariani has announced the hiring of Mike Haluska as the new head coach of the Viking wrestling program. Haluska, formerly head coach at Clackamas Community College, takes over for Marlin Grahn, who retired after the 2005-06 season. 

Haluska, a 1987 graduate of Portland State and competitor on the wrestling team, will be just the fifth head coach in the program's history. He replaces Grahn, who has been head coach for the past 22 seasons, and led the wrestling team to NCAA II national championships in 1989 and 1990. 

"Mike has had great success both athletically and academically with his teams at Clackamas Community College," Mariani said. "He has shown he puts a focus on what they do in class as well as on the mat. 

"Mike is a PSU guy. He wrestled here. He has a passion for Portland State and its wrestling program. Having someone with that passion is so important to us," said Mariani. "Plus, being a local guy he has all the local contacts with high schools, junior colleges and clubs, so he should avoid the learning curve that new coaches often have." 

"I'm really excited to be able to coach at this level and be involved with Portland State University," said Haluska. "My goal is to make every kid step out on the mat and perform to the best of their ability, and step into their classes and perform their best and get a good education. If they do, they will help build the program to be even better. My goal is to get kids through school and be competitive in the Pac-10 championships." 

Haluska's passion shows as both former wrestler and fan. "Portland State wrestlers were my heroes growing up as a child in the late 60s and early 70s. I love Portland State and I am really excited to represent the school," he said. 

Haluska had been head wrestling coach at Clackamas Community College since 1993. During that 13-year span, his wrestlers had won 27 All-American awards. Haluska has had 10 National Junior College Athletic Association Championship Finalists and five national champions. His teams have finished in the top ten nationally seven times and in the top five three times. 

In 2006, Clackamas Community College won the NJCAA Team Academic Award for total team grade point average. 

Haluska was named NJCAA Region 18 Coach of the Year in 1994. He received an "Achievement of Excellence in Coaching" honor from the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 2006. 

Haluska is a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association and Oregon Athletics Coaches Association. He is a USA Wrestling Bronze Certified Coach and FILA Wrestling Bronze Certified Coach and Official. 

Originally from Iowa, Mike graduated from Dowling High School in Des Moines. He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Des Moines CC in 1980. After earning his bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Portland State in 1987, Haluska served as an assistant coach at Sam Barlow (OR) High School for two years. He then moved on to be assistant coach at Clackamas Community College from 1989-1993. 

Haluska is married to former Portland State assistant softball coach Mary Haluska. They have a daughter, Angela. 

The Portland State wrestling program has won three national titles (1967, 1989 and 1990). The Vikings have competed at the Division I level since 1996-97 and are members of the Pac-10 Conference.