Jack Childs, a former athlete turned long-time wrestling coach, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, leaving his family and loved ones devastated.
Drexel University, where the late Jack remained a wrestling coach for 35 years, announced the legendary coach’s demise on its official site.
The Southestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Famer, Jack Childs, coached the wrestling team at Drexel University from 1976 until his retirement in 2011.
During his 35 years at Drexel University, Jack led the Dragons to several victories.
He posted an impressive record of 414-254-9, and in his last season, he led the Dragons over George Mason to record his landmark 500th career collegiate coaching victory.
During his time at Stevens Tech and Drexel, he amassed 505 wins at all levels of NCAA competition and led the Dragons to the 1985 ECWA championship.
For his exceptional coaching skills, Childs won four East Coast Wrestling Association Coach of the Year awards in 1980, 1985, 1994, and 1999.
His passing has left a profound void in the lives of his loved ones. The entire Wayne, Pennsylvania, community, including Drexel athletics, mourns the loss of their legendary wrestler and coach, Jack Childs.
Drexel Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Maisha Kelly shared a statement paying tribute to Jack Childs.
“Jack’s accomplishments and longevity as a coach at Drexel were unmatched,He impacted countless lives during his time leading the wrestling program and was a fixture within the greater Drexel community. It is with heavy hearts that we mourn his loss. Drexel extends its condolences to his wife Anne, their three children and the entire Childs’ family.”
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Jack Childs Is Survived By His Longtime Wife Anne, Three Kids, And The Entire Family
The former college athlete and wrestling coach, Jack Childs, is survived by his longtime wife Anne Childs, their three children Jesse, Michael ‘Mike‘ and Elizabeth ‘Beth‘ Childs, and the entire family.
His longtime wife, Anne Childs, is a retired teacher and voluntary charity worker, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She graduated from Cedar Crest College with a major in education.
The late Jack Childs and his longtime wife, Anne, were happily married for over four decades.
Jack Childs often expressed his love for his longtime wife on social media. In December 2024, Jack shared a post about his wife, Anne.
He wrote, “I love my wife; she is the cornerstone of everything my family and I are trying to do!“
Anne also often shares pictures of her husband, Jack Childs, on her social media, regarding him as the best husband.
The late Jack Childs and his wife, Anne, raised all three of their kids to be athletes!
Jack Childs’ sons, Jesse and Michael ‘Mike, followed in his footsteps in wrestling. Both his sons wrestled at Drexel University, where their father served as the head wrestling coach for 35 years.
Prior to Drexel University, both Jesse and Mike showcased their exceptional wrestling skills at Radnor High School.
During his tenure at Radnor High School, Mike Childs amassed 91 career victories while earning a Section V championship, district I Championship, Southeast Regional Runner-Up finish, and a top-eight finish at the PIAA State Tournament.
Mike was also a Pennsylvania Freestyle State Champion and a two-time Pennsylvania Keystone State Games Champion.
Like his father, Michael ‘Mike‘ continued his career as a head wrestling coach, and he began his head coaching career at Springfield High School in 2003.
Similarly, Mike served as an assistant wrestling coach at several colleges, including Davidson, Franklin and Marshall College, and Ursinus College.
Since April 2024, he has served as the first head Women’s Wrestling Coach of Arcadia University.
Very little information about his other son Jesse is available as he prefers to maintain a low profile. Still, like his brother, Jesse showcased his exceptional wrestling skills playing for the Dragons.
Although his only daughter, Elizabeth Childs Cummings, didn’t play wrestling like her father and brother, she excelled at Tennis and is a former captain of the women’s tennis team at Drexel University.
She is currently a proud mother and lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with her husband Gregg and two daughters.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jack Childs graduated from East Stroudsburg University, where he wrestled, played football, and ran track.
- He earned his master’s degree from Cortland State University in 1970 and was the head coach of Stevens Trade School.
- Jack was inducted into Northeastern Region Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, the East Stroudsbrug Athletic Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Athnes Area High School Hall of Fame.
