EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – If the 2026-27 season wasn't historic enough with Daryl Thomas taking over as the SIUE wrestling's seventh head coach, a special postseason event will adorn First Community Arena next March.

The SIUE wrestling program proudly will be the host of the 2027 Mid-American Conference Championships on March 5-6. It will be the Cougars' first opportunity to be the host institution for the event since being welcomed to the league during the 2018-19 season.

"Hosting the MAC Championships and having the NCAA tournament in our backyard is an incredibly unique opportunity," said Thomas. "It's something we'll use as motivation throughout the season as we continue to push our group to raise the standard and be at our best when it matters most."

The Thomas era kicks off Nov. 1 when the Cougars travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the Cowboy Invite.

Just one week later, SIUE welcomes the first of six scheduled home events prior to the MAC Championships. SIUE faces Maryville and Friends (Kansas) on Nov. 8.

The MAC regular season begins Nov. 13 when the Cougars face off against George Mason. That same day, SIUE wrestling unveils its 2026 MAC West Division banner at First Community Arena.

The schedule turns to a quadrangular at Evanston, Illinois, on Nov. 22 against host Northwestern, Davidson and Princeton. The Cougars also travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to open the month of December.

The Cougar Clash returns to First Community Arena Dec. 6 when a stacked lineup that includes Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Northern Colorado, Illinois, Indiana and Northern Iowa.

The first road match dual of the season is set for Dec. 18 at Central Michigan. The Cougars close out 2026 with their annual appearance at the Midlands in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

SIUE's MAC home schedule also includes Ohio (Jan. 8), Bloomsburg (Jan. 9) and Buffalo (Feb. 12). The MAC road schedule includes Rider (Jan. 16), Lock Haven (Feb. 5) and Kent State (Feb. 19).

After the MAC Tournament at SIUE in March, the Cougars will have a short trip to the 2027 NCAA Division I Championships, which will be held March 18-20 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.

"This is an exciting yet very challenging schedule both in and out of conference," added Thomas. "We're appreciative of the opportunity to compete against some of the nation's best and challenge our guys in preparation for the MAC and NCAA championships."