Aaron McKinney enters his third season as the head coach of the Waynesburg University men’s wrestling program in 2024-25.
McKinney guided Colby Morris to back-to-back Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) titles at 174 pounds in 2023 and 2024. Morris was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the 2023 PAC Championships and took second in the weight class the Southeast Regional Championships to earn a spot at the NCAA National Championships. Morris collected two wins at NCAA Championships and finished one victory shy of All-America status. Ayden Bishoff joined Morris as a conference champion in 2024 by taking the PAC crown at 197 pounds.
McKinney became the leader of the Waynesburg University wrestling program in 2022 after a successful four-year run as head coach at his high school alma mater, West Allegheny. Over that time, he has coached multiple PIAA state medalists, WPIAL champions and NCAA Division I wrestlers. In his final days with the Indians, he helped guide junior Ty Watters to the 2022 PIAA AAA state championship at 145 pounds. Sophomore Shawn Taylor took fourth at 160 pounds, while junior Nico Taddy also qualified for Hershey at 152 pounds.
Speaking of state qualifiers from West Allegheny, McKinney accomplished the feat twice. He made it all the way to the gold medal match as a junior in 2010, before finishing as PIAA AAA runner-up at 145 pounds. He returned to Hershey as a senior. During his time with the Indians, McKinney was also a four-time section champion and a three-time WPIAL place winner (1st, 2nd, 4th).
During his time at West Allegheny, he was also an all-state football player and a standout on the baseball diamond. After graduating in 2011, McKinney attended Division I Lock Haven University, where he was a standout for the Bald Eagles. Not only did he win over 100 matches as a collegiate competitor, but he led the team in victories (26) as a senior in 2015-16. He eclipsed 30 wins in both his junior (34) and sophomore (31) campaigns.
After completing a degree in Health and Physical Education, McKinney not only took over the reins at West Allegheny, but opened his own business, True Valor Training. His professional resume includes being the head strength and conditioning coach at West Allegheny and an assistant football coach with the Indians. He's worked with hundreds of individuals and athletes and helped them reach their individual fitness goals. As if all that wasn't enough, McKinney has worked with some of the area's top grapplers at Gladiators Wrestling Club.
Coach McKinney has also proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves as a Military Police Officer. He currently resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Haley.
