Michael Ayala

Title

Head Women's Wrestling Coach
Phone

650-543-3729
Email

michael.ayala@menlo.edu
Alma Mater

University of Providence

After guiding the Oaks to a historic national championship during his interim season in 2023-24, Ayala continued to elevate the program throughout the 2025-26 campaign. Under his leadership, Menlo captured its second consecutive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Women’s Wrestling Conference Championship, crowning eight individual champions while earning MPSF Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season.

The Oaks continued to their dominance on the national stage, producing multiple nationally ranked athletes and All-Americans while solidifying the Oak’s reputation as one of the top destinations for collegiate women’s wrestling. The program also excelled academically, with numerous student-athletes earning conference and national academic recognition.

Ayala’s impact was immediate upon taking over the program in 2023-24. IN his first season as head coach, the Oaks compiled an impressive list of accomplishments, including:

Menlo Open Champions
West Coast TOC Champions
NWCA National Duals Runner-Up
Undefeated home dual season
Four Cascade Collegiate Conference Wrestler of the Week honors
Three Cascade Collegiate Conference Team of the Week honors
Two NAIA Wrestler of the Week honors
12 CCC Academic All-Conference Selections
Four NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes

The Oaks went on to capture the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship on their home mats inside of Haynes-Prim Pavilion before sending 12 wrestlers to the NAIA National Championships, including four conference champions. Menlo ultimately secured the 2024 NAIA National Championship with 10 All-Americans and an individual national champion, clinching the team title before the championship finals even began.

Despite inheriting a young roster, Ayala quickly developed one of the nation’s deepest programs, producing numerous All-Americans and conference champions throughout his tenure. His efforts have earned widespread recognition, including NWCA Coach of the year, Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year, NAIA Coach of the Year, and back-to-back MPSF Coach of the Year honors.

Ayala joined the Menlo women’s Wrestling coaching staff for the 2020-21 season following a stint as Head Coach at Eastern Oregon University. Prior to leading the Mountaineers’ women’s program, he served as an assistant coach for the men’s wrestling team at his alma mater, the University of Providence.

A graduate of the University of Great Falls (now the University of Providence), Ayala earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology before obtaining a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling.