Wrestling
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- wrestling@umich.edu
Josh Churella is in his 14th season as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan wrestling program and ninth since being promoted to the full-time staff in May 2014. A three-time NCAA All-American at U-M, Churella previously spent two years on the Michigan staff as volunteer coach (2013-14).
In his 13 seasons on the U-M coaching staff, Churella has assisted with the program's day-to-day operations, including practice planning, match preparation, event and clinic promotion and individual technique assistance. He is also active in the Wolverine practice room as an everyday workout partner, working primarily with the middleweights, most notably multi-time All-Americans Alec Pantaleo, Logan Massa, Myles Amine, Cameron Amine and Will Lewan. Michigan has claimed top-10 team finishes in eight of the last nine NCAA Championships, including a fourth-place finish in 2018, fifth-place showings in 2019 and 2021, a runner-up finish in 2022 and a third-place finish in 2024.
Michigan boasted one of the most successful seasons in the 100-year history of the program in 2021-22. The Wolverines posted a 12-1 dual-meet record, captured the Big Ten championship for the first time since 1973 and claimed second place at the NCAA Championships. Nick Suriano captured the 125-pound NCAA title to cap a perfect 16-0 season at 125 pounds, while U-M tied a program record with six total All-Americans. Myles Amine, who also earned Co-Wrestler of the Big Ten Championships, became the first ever five-time NCAA placewinner with a runner-up finish at 184 pounds, while Will Lewan (157 pounds), Cameron Amine (165), Logan Massa (174) and Mason Parris (Hwt) also reached the podium.
As a Wolverine wrestler (2005-08), Churella wrapped up his collegiate career with a 124-21 record -- ranking 16th among Michigan's all-time wins leaders -- and three All-America citations. He boasted a career-best 31-5 record during his junior season; the same year he advanced to the 149-pound final at the NCAA Championships. Churella began his career at 141 pounds, where he won a Big Ten title and earned All-America honors as a freshman.
Over Churella's competitive career at Michigan, the Wolverines were a regular fixture among the national level with top-10 showings at the NCAA Championships in each of his four seasons, including a runner-up finish in 2005. Michigan also claimed two Big Ten dual-meet titles in his first two seasons.
After his graduation, Churella enjoyed a successful freestyle career. He was a three-year freestyle national team member at 66kg/145.5 pounds after twice placing third at the World Team Trials (2010, '11) and, most recently, at the 2012 Olympic Team Trials. He was the runner-up at the 2010 U.S. Open and captured a medal at several international tournaments, including the NYAC International Open (gold, 2009) and Cuba's Cerro Pelado Tournament (bronze, 2010).
Crossing two generations, the Churella family combined for 10 All-America citations during illustrious careers at Michigan. Josh's father, Mark Sr. (1976-79), was a three-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American, while his brother, Ryan (2003-06), garnered three All-America distinctions, reaching the 165-pound final as a senior (2006). Eldest brother, Mark Jr., earned a varsity letter at Michigan in 2001.
Originally from Northville, Michigan, Churella earned his bachelor's degree in general studies from Michigan in 2008. He currently lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Carlee, and sons, Cruz and Ryker.
