Mike Denney was named the first ever Maryville University Wrestling Head Coach on June 1st, 2011. Denney’s wrestling teams had won 3 consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships and 6 of the last 8 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). A new Athletic Director eliminated the wrestling program after 63 years of wrestling. Coach Denney had been the coach of the program for the last 32 years. ”Maryville was faced with an extraordinary opportunity to say the least,” said Mark Lombardi, PHD. President of Maryville University.”We enthusiastically welcome Coach Denney to our Maryville community and to St Louis, and look forward to a winning wrestling tradition.”

Denney had been voted 2011 InterMat Coach of the year. This award recognizes the top college wrestling coach across all NCAA divisions. He was named the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year 1981, 1991, and 2009. Denney coached at UNO for 32 seasons. He possesses a career dual record of 331-117-5 (.730). During that stretch, Denney claimed 7 national titles: his first in 1991, 3 in a row from 2004- 2006 and then three more in a row from 2009-2011. UNO finished in the NCAA Division II top 10 for all but one season during his tenure. Included in that run are 23 top 3 finishes and 27 top 5 placements. “It isn’t every day that a coach gets the chance to create a college wrestling program from scratch, but that’s exactly the opportunity we have been blessed to receive at Maryville,” said Denney. “Bonnie and I feel like we are ‘called here’ to help build a new wrestling program and to continue teaching and building young men.”

Denney, who is known for his positive approach and his perseverance, believes that success in coaching results from passion for one’s work. His philosophy is evidenced by the academic achievements of his wrestlers: 67 have been recognized as NCAA Division II NWCA Academic All-Americans during his coaching tenure at UNO and Maryville. Denney was a 4 year starter and All-Conference and All-District performer in football and wrestling at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 1999. A versatile athlete, Denney played 7 years of semi-pro football for the Omaha Mustangs and currently holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Judo. He still enjoys training in Judo and Jiutsu. He has placed many years in the National Masters Judo Championships and in 1982 won the Championship at 209 pounds.

Mike and his wife, Bonnie, have been married 51 years. Bonnie is very involved with the wrestling program. They have 3 children: Rocky, Michealene, and Luke. Rocky and his wife, Shannon, both received their undergraduate degrees and played college soccer at Rockhurst University. They have 3 children: Brock Maher Denney, Cael Alexander Denney, and Olivia Lynne Denney. Mikki completed her undergraduate and playing career at the University of Minnesota. She was the Golden Gophers Head Women’s Soccer Coach from 2000- 2012. Mikki is married to Shane Wright. Shane received his undergraduate degree and played baseball at Texas Tech. They have 2 children: Forrest Denney Wright and Duke Markus Wright. Luke played football at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and finished his college career playing soccer at Rockhurst. He owns and runs CrossFit Diem, a CrossFit box in Kansas City. He is married to Heather Brandt who has two children, Carter and Hadlee. Rocky, Michealene and Luke are all coaching.
 
MIKE DENNEY’S CAREER AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Dakota Wesleyan University (2018)
• Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2016)
• Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2015)
• 2011-12 Maryville Inaugural Wrestling team
• Selected InterMat Coach of the Year for All Divisions (2011)
• Named NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year (1981, 1991, 2009)
• Inducted into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame (2009)
• Named Amateur Wrestling News “Man of the Year” (2006)
• Selected Win Magazine’s Dan Gable Coach of the Year (2006)
• Inducted into the Omaha Bryan High School Hall of Fame (2006)
• Inducted into the Omaha South High School Hall of Fame (2005)
• Awarded the University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor’s Medal (2004)
• Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Association Guy Mytty Memorial Award (2004)
• Inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame (1988)
• Inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame (1999)
• Received the University of Nebraska at Omaha
College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award (1999)
• Named the Dakota Wesleyan University Alumni Coach of the Year (1997)
• Earned Omaha Sportscaster’s Association Sportsman of the Year (1991)
• Named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year (1991)
• Selected to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee where he was chairman and director (1986-1992)
• Elected President of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association where he served 1988-1990
• Inducted into the Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1986)
• Inducted into the Metro Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1984)
• Named Dakota Wesleyan University Young Alumnus of the Year (1981)
• Received the High School Wrestling Coach of the Year award by the Metro Wrestling Coaches (1975)
• Selected as one of the Outstanding College Athletes of America (1969)
• All-Conference and All-District in football and wrestling (1968-69)