Philadelphia, PA  - The University of Pennsylvania Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Mike Duroe as Head Assistant Coach of the Penn wrestling program. Duroe heads to Philadelphia after three years as the National Developmental Coach, National Resident Coach, and National Women's Coach at USA Wrestling in Colorado Springs.    "Mike brings a wealth of national, World and Olympic level coaching  experience to Penn's mats," stated Head Coach Roger Reina, who is also current President of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. "Mike's experience, combined with his energy and outstanding work ethic, delivers a uniquely powerful impact in furthering Penn Wrestling nationally and internationally."    Duroe will remain with USA Wrestling through the World Championships in New York City.    As the National Developmental Coach, Duroe was responsible for the development of U.S. age-group freestyle wrestlers. He has also managed USA Wrestling's women's programs, including serving as the Head Women's National Coach. In addition to serving as the Freestyle Resident Coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center , Mike also assisted in all aspects of coaching the U.S. Men's National Freestyle team.    "The opportunity to coach at Penn, with its rich wrestling tradition and high standard for academic excellence, represents an incomparable combination of opportunities," Duroe stated. "I had the good fortune to help coach Penn '98 graduate and 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist, Brandon Slay, in our USOC Resident program. This gave me unique insight into the quality of individuals that Penn's program attracts, and proof that Penn wrestlers can aspire to and become Olympic and World Champions. Coach Reina has impressively built a program that is nationally respected and highly competitive. My vision is to recruit and cultivate elite athletes from around the country to put Penn in contention for a national collegiate title."    Under Duroe's leadership the United States was successful at the age group World Championships in freestyle wrestling.  The United States won the 2000 World University Championships as a team and has been one of the top nations each year at the FILA Junior and Cadet levels, producing four individual world champions. Duroe has also been involved in developing training camps and programs for America's elite age-group freestyle stars, demonstrating his ability to coach all age group levels.    The highlight of his efforts with the women's program came in 1999 when the United States won the World Team title in women's wrestling. It was only the third U.S. Senior-level team to win a World title in history. During his tenure with the women's program, the USA has had three individual women's World champions.    Duroe was also a member of the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic Men's Freestyle team coaching staffs, and served as Head Coach or Assistant Coach for multiple World and Pan-American championship teams. He also served as Head Coach at four U.S. Olympic Festivals (1989-90, 1993-94).    Duroe is no stranger to collegiate wrestling as he served as Head Coach at Northern Michigan from 1980-85 and Assistant Coach from 1978-80. During his tenure at Northern Michigan, he tutored 27 All-Americans and three national champions.  Duroe was also the coach for the Wildcat Wrestling Club at Northwestern from 1985-86.    As an athlete, Duroe was a two-time regional champion for Drake University and served as team captain for three years, where he was inducted into the Drake University Wrestling Hall of Fame. Duroe competed at the national level in freestyle winning an AAU National title as well as being a three-time National Freestyle placewinner and a 1984 Olympic Trials competitor.    Duroe has received Masters Degrees in education, and in exercise physiology from Northern Michigan University. He is originally from Charles City, Iowa.