Navy Squash Names Former Trinity All-American Michael Craig Assistant Coach
By Brian Hradsky
October 20, 2026
The Navy Midshipmen men’s squash program has added an accomplished former collegiate All-American and professional player to its coaching staff, announcing Monday that Michael Craig has been named an assistant coach. Craig joins head coach Tyler Osborne’s staff after serving as the head squash professional at Squash Tigers in Plainsboro, New Jersey, where he worked extensively with junior athletes and competitive players. The former Trinity College standout brings national championship experience, professional playing credentials and an extensive background in player development to Annapolis. His arrival comes as Navy looks to build on one of its most successful recent seasons and continue competing among the nation’s leading collegiate squash programs.
Craig Brings Extensive Coaching Experience to Annapolis
Craig most recently served as the head squash professional at Squash Tigers, a position he held beginning in September 2024. His responsibilities included organizing junior clinics, providing private instruction and coordinating tournaments designed to help players develop their competitive skills. The position allowed Craig to work closely with developing athletes while building relationships throughout the junior squash community. That experience could become particularly valuable for Navy as the program continues recruiting talented players capable of competing at the collegiate level.
Before joining Squash Tigers, Craig worked as a squash professional at Corner Squash in New York City from May 2023 through May 2024. He previously held a similar position at New Jersey Squash Club from May 2021 through May 2022, gaining additional experience in individual instruction and junior development. Those positions helped Craig develop a coaching background that combines technical instruction with practical knowledge of competitive squash. Navy will look to use that experience to strengthen its player development and recruiting efforts.
Osborne emphasized Craig’s accomplishments as both a player and coach while discussing the addition to his staff. The Navy head coach believes Craig’s experience working with talented junior athletes will benefit the Midshipmen as they continue building their program. His connections throughout the club squash community could also help Navy identify prospective student-athletes and strengthen relationships with developing players. Craig joins a program that expects to compete at a high level while maintaining the academic and leadership standards of the Naval Academy.
Former Trinity Standout Won Two National Championships
Craig established himself as one of the country’s leading collegiate squash players during his career at Trinity College from 2016 through 2020. He competed as high as the No. 1 position in Trinity’s lineup and achieved a career-best individual ranking of ninth nationally. His contributions helped the Bantams capture College Squash Association National Team Championships in 2017 and 2018. Craig also played an important role in Trinity winning four New England Small College Athletic Conference men’s squash championships during his collegiate career.
Trinity secured conference titles in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020, giving Craig experience within a program accustomed to competing for championships. The Bantams have historically maintained one of the strongest traditions in collegiate squash, making Craig’s experience particularly relevant to Navy’s competitive goals. Playing near the top of Trinity’s lineup required him to compete regularly against some of the nation’s most talented collegiate athletes. His understanding of championship-level preparation and competition should provide valuable insight for Navy’s current players.
Craig’s individual accomplishments further distinguished his collegiate career and demonstrated his ability to perform in important matches. He earned NESCAC Player of the Year honors in 2018 and received First-Team All-NESCAC recognition during the same season. In 2017, Craig was named the College Squash Association National Team Championship Most Valuable Player after helping Trinity capture the national title. He also received CSA First-Team All-America recognition in 2017 and Second-Team All-America honors in 2016.
Those achievements give Navy an assistant coach who understands the demands of competing against nationally ranked opponents. Craig experienced the pressure of championship competition firsthand and demonstrated the ability to succeed in both individual and team settings. His background could prove especially beneficial when helping Midshipmen prepare for difficult matches or develop strategies against highly ranked opponents. Navy’s coaching staff now includes another individual with experience competing at the highest levels of collegiate squash.
Professional Career Included PSA Tour and International Competition
Following his collegiate career, Craig continued competing at a high level on the Professional Squash Association Tour from 2021 through 2023. He achieved a career-best world ranking of No. 266 in July 2022, gaining experience against professional opponents from different countries and competitive backgrounds. His time on the professional circuit required continued technical development, physical preparation and tactical adjustments against experienced players. That experience should help him provide Navy’s athletes with insight into the differences between collegiate and professional competition.
Craig also represented Ireland in national and international squash competition, adding another important dimension to his playing background. He achieved a career-best ranking of No. 1 among Irish junior players and reached No. 3 in the Irish senior rankings. Craig also climbed as high as fifth among European junior players, demonstrating his competitive ability before beginning his collegiate career. His international experience exposed him to different playing styles and training approaches that could benefit Navy’s program.
The combination of professional and international competition gives Craig a broad understanding of the sport. His background includes championship collegiate matches, professional tournaments and competition representing Ireland. Those experiences should allow him to offer different perspectives when working with players who have varying strengths and developmental needs. Navy will look to incorporate that knowledge into its training and match preparation throughout the season.
Osborne Adds Experienced Coach to Successful Program
Craig joins a Navy program that has experienced considerable success under Osborne’s leadership. The Midshipmen finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-6 record, their highest victory total since the 2012-13 campaign. Navy also reached the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2016-17 season, demonstrating significant progress against a demanding collegiate schedule. The results provided a strong foundation for continued development as the program entered the 2026-27 campaign.
Osborne has also guided Navy to several important individual and doubles accomplishments during his tenure. Wenqing Tang earned Mid-Atlantic Squash Conference Co-Player of the Year honors for the 2025-26 season, becoming the first Midshipman to receive that recognition. Navy has continued producing nationally competitive doubles teams, with several pairs capturing intercollegiate championships. Those achievements reflect the program’s ability to develop players who can compete successfully against strong collegiate opponents.
The Midshipmen recently added another major accomplishment when sophomores Christian Graziano and Johan Hodgson captured the 2026 U.S. Intercollegiate Squash Doubles Championship on October 11. The Navy tandem defeated defending champions and teammates Hudson Poirier and Tang in four games to secure the program’s ninth doubles title. Navy has now won the championship in three consecutive editions of the competition, reinforcing its strength in doubles play. Craig arrives at an important time as the program attempts to build on that success.
The addition of Craig should provide Osborne with another experienced instructor capable of working with players throughout the lineup. His background in junior development could be particularly useful for younger Midshipmen adjusting to the demands of collegiate competition. Craig’s championship experience at Trinity also aligns with Navy’s goal of competing against the nation’s strongest programs. The coaching staff will look to translate those credentials into continued progress during the upcoming season.
Craig Embraces Naval Academy Opportunity
Craig expressed enthusiasm about joining the Naval Academy and becoming part of the Navy squash program. He emphasized his appreciation for hard work and the values associated with the Academy, making the position an appealing opportunity for the next stage of his coaching career. His arrival represents a transition from club instruction into a collegiate environment that combines athletic development with demanding academic and military responsibilities. Craig will now work with Midshipmen who must balance their squash commitments with the broader expectations of attending the Naval Academy.
The new assistant coach also brings a strong personal connection to collegiate squash through his wife, Min Jie Teh. Teh was a standout player at Trinity College and graduated in 2021 before continuing her involvement in the sport as a coach. She currently serves as an assistant coach for the Princeton women’s squash program. Their shared experience in collegiate squash reflects a continued commitment to developing athletes and contributing to the sport.
Craig earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Trinity College in 2021. His academic background and experience competing at a demanding collegiate institution provide another perspective that could prove useful when mentoring Navy student-athletes. The Naval Academy places significant emphasis on leadership, discipline and academic achievement alongside athletic competition. Craig will have an opportunity to contribute to those goals while helping the Midshipmen pursue continued success on the court.
Navy Prepares for Upcoming Competition
Navy will continue its 2026-27 season with several important events scheduled during the coming weeks. The Midshipmen will host the Barb Tournament Championship on Friday, October 23, at the Prager Family Squash Facility in Annapolis. The program will then welcome alumni for the Bowen Cup on Saturday, October 24, providing another opportunity to strengthen connections between current players and former Midshipmen. Both events will help Navy continue preparing for its upcoming intercollegiate schedule.
The Midshipmen are scheduled to face St. Lawrence on November 5 at Squash on Fire in Washington, D.C. The contest will provide an opportunity for Navy to evaluate its lineup against outside competition after completing its early-season doubles championship and internal events. Craig’s addition to the coaching staff comes at a useful point in the schedule, allowing him to begin working with players before the team enters a more demanding stretch of matches. Navy will look to maintain the momentum established during its successful previous season.
MSB Take
Navy’s decision to hire Craig represents an encouraging addition to a squash program that has already demonstrated significant improvement under Osborne. Craig brings a combination of national championship experience, professional competition and junior coaching credentials that should complement the existing staff. His success at Trinity demonstrates that he understands the preparation and discipline required to compete at the highest levels of collegiate squash. The Midshipmen should benefit from having another coach who has experienced championship competition firsthand.
Craig’s experience developing junior players could be particularly valuable for Navy’s long-term recruiting and player development efforts. The Midshipmen have established a strong foundation through recent team success and national doubles championships, but maintaining that progress requires a consistent pipeline of talented athletes. Craig’s relationships within the club squash community could help Navy identify prospective players who fit the program’s athletic and academic expectations. His international and professional experience also provides additional knowledge that could strengthen technical instruction and match preparation.
The timing of the hire is especially encouraging because Navy enters the season with considerable momentum following a 24-win campaign and another national doubles championship. Osborne has demonstrated an ability to develop competitive teams, and adding Craig gives the program another experienced voice on the coaching staff. The challenge will be translating Craig’s playing accomplishments and club coaching background into continued success at the collegiate level. If the partnership produces stronger player development and recruiting results, Navy could become an even more formidable program in the coming seasons.
