USA Team Handball Names Mike Tilton Head Coach, LaQuinta Haynes Assistant for Wheelchair National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--USA Team Handball today announced the appointment of Mike Tilton as Head Coach and Laquinta “Q” Haynes as Assistant Coach of the U.S. Wheelchair National Team, as USA Wheelchair Handball prepares for the 2026 IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championships in Spain.

Tilton, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, brings decades of experience within the U.S. handball community to the position. As a cadet at West Point, Tilton played for Army from 1997 to 2000 before later joining the program’s coaching staff. He coached Army's Men’s team from 2010 to 2013 and was also a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team staff for the 2012 Pan American Championships in Argentina.

"I'm thrilled to lead this team of dedicated athletes for this opportunity to compete for a world championship."  Tilton said. "It will be a great honor to represent our country and compete against some of the best wheelchair handball athletes in the world."

Haynes will work alongside Tilton as Assistant Coach, supporting the team’s technical preparation, athlete development, and competitive environment throughout its preparations for Spain.  Coach Haynes brings an extraordinary breadth of competitive experience and proven leadership in adaptive sport to the USA Wheelchair Handball program. She has competed at the highest levels nationally and internationally, including as a US National Team athlete and across an array of sports. She serves as the Director of Partnerships and Growth for the Adaptive Sports Connection and coaches youth clinics at schools like the Columbus School for Girls.  

“Coach Tilton and Coach Q bring experienced perspective, strong character, and a deep commitment to supporting our athletes as they represent their country,” said Michael King, CEO of USA Team Handball. “Our focus now shifts fully to the common work of preparing our delegation for the best possible result in Spain.”

The appointments are the leading core of a staff charged not only with preparing the U.S. team for the immediate challenge of IHF competition in Spain, but also with helping establish the foundation for the next chapter of the USA Wheelchair Handball program.

Additional information regarding the U.S. roster and World Championship delegation will be announced separately.

About USA Team Handball

USA Team Handball is the National Governing Body for the sport of handball in the United States and is recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the International Handball Federation. USA Team Handball is responsible for the development and promotion of indoor, beach, and wheelchair handball in the United States and for organizing U.S. National Teams for international competition.