Story courtesy of Eastern Athletics

ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Athletic Director Eric McNelly announced that Andrew Taylor has been hired as Eastern's first Director of Men's and Women's Wrestling. Taylor comes to Eastern after leading both the men's and women's programs at Delaware Valley University. 

"Andrew emerged from a very strong candidate pool as the right person to build our wrestling program," McNelley Said. "He strives to develop his student-athletes in all aspects of their lives and is passionate about using wrestling to fuel that growth. He has demonstrated the ability to recruit, build culture, lead a staff, and to work well with both men's and women's programs. He will be a tremendous addition to our staff. We look forward to seeing the great things he will do with Eastern wrestling and are thrilled to have him in our department."

At Delaware Valley, Taylor built the rosters of both programs and was named the 2023-24 Middle Atlantic Conference Men's Wrestling Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, his teams grew in size and success on the mat and in the classroom. 

This season, he had four men qualify for NCAA Nationals and three women qualify for the NCWWC National Championships. He will continue to work with those athletes through their National Tournaments and will start at Eastern on April 1st. 

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Taylor wrestled at Baldwin Wallace University. As a wrestler, he recorded three 20 win seasons, earned a trip to NCAA Division III Nationals, and received recognition as an NWCA Scholar All-American. Following graduation, he worked as an assistant at Baldwin Wallace for five years where the Yellow Jackets achieved great success in the OAC and Nationally. 

"I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to build a first-class wrestling program at Eastern," Taylor said. "I want to thank Eric McNelley and the University for its commitment to the shared vision we have for the future of Eastern Wrestling. The investment they have into our sport is undeniable. Our student-athletes will feel that level of commitment. I am looking forward to creating an atmosphere where our young men and women can excel on the mat, in the classroom, in their personal lives, and in their faith. I am grateful to DelVal and Dave Duda for the time I had with them and am proud of the culture we built there in a short amount of time."

Taylor will begin building his staff and recruiting with the goal of competing in some capacity for both the men and the women in 2025-26. 

Shortly after Eastern announced the addition of Men's and Women's Wrestling, the NCAA announced that Women's Wrestling would become the association's 91st Championship. 

With recent announcements, the MAC is slated to have ten men's programs and seven women's programs.