University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims announced Wednesday (Sept. 22) that Chris Stratton has been named the new head wrestling coach for the Titans.

Stratton, who had been an assistant wrestling coach at UW-Oshkosh for the past two seasons, replaces Mike DeRoehn who resigned in August after six years as head coach and eight years with the program to focus on his work with the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation. DeRoehn has since been named the new head wrestling coach at Lakeland College.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be the new head wrestling coach at UW-Oshkosh," said Stratton. "I've been a part of the UW-Oshkosh wrestling program as both a student-athlete and assistant coach, and now I look forward to leading the Titans to new heights at both the conference and national level."

Stratton earned varsity letters in wrestling for UW-Oshkosh in 2004, 2005 and 2007. The Appleton native placed sixth in the 125-pound weight class at the WIAC Championship in both 2004 and 2005.

"Chris did an outstanding job as an assistant coach for us," said Sims. "He has affection for UW-Oshkosh, the educational values we prioritize, and the ability to make the transition from assistant coach to head coach seamless. We have an outstanding group of student-athletes
returning, and I think they'll enjoy having Chris as their head coach."

Since 2008, Stratton has been an instructor in UW-Oshkosh's Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education. He also taught exercise sport science courses at UW-La Crosse and physical education classes at Crucifixion Elementary School in La Crescent, Minn., during the 2007-08 academic year.

Stratton, who holds membership in the National Wrestling Coaches Association, received his bachelor's degree from UW-Oshkosh in 2007 and master's degree from UW-La Crosse in 2008.

Stratton inherits a UW-Oshkosh wrestling program that has been represented at the NCAA Division III Championship three times in the past four years. The Titans finished fourth at the WIAC Championship in 2009 and fifth in 2010.

The Titans, who posted a 6-7 dual meet record a year ago, open their 2010-11 season at UW-Whitewater on Nov. 10.