University of Northern Colorado Athletics
UNC Board of Trustees Approves Five-Year Contract for Head Wrestling Coach Teyon Ware
12/12/2025 11:08:00 AM | Wrestling
GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees approved a five-year contract for head wrestling coach Teyon Ware on Friday, securing his leadership of the Bears through June 30, 2030. Ware officially began his tenure on July 1, 2025, becoming just the eighth head coach in the program's 46-year history.
A two-time NCAA Champion, four-time All-American, and widely respected coach with more than a decade of Division I experience, Ware arrived in Greeley with a championship pedigree and a proven ability to develop elite talent. His career includes impactful coaching stops at Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Binghamton, as well as time working with premier club programs such as the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
Ware spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, helping guide the Sooners to their best NCAA Championships finish in eight years during the 2023-24 season. He played a key role in mentoring three-time All-American Stephen Buchanan, who finished third nationally in 2024 with a 27-3 record, as well as NCAA qualifiers Mosha Schwartz and Willie McDougald. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Ware spent eight years at Wyoming, where he coached 33 NCAA qualifiers, multiple Big 12 champions, and several All-Americans, including Buchanan and standout Bryce Meredith.
Ware's focus since his arrival at UNC has been building a foundation rooted in culture, work ethic, and student-athlete development. The Bears entered the 2025-26 academic year with rising academic marks, and Ware has emphasized elevating training standards while establishing a competitive identity that will sustain success.
"I'm incredibly grateful to the Board of Trustees and to Darren Dunn for their continued trust in me and in the direction of our wrestling program," Ware said. "Northern Colorado is a special place, and I'm excited to keep building a culture that pushes our student-athletes to reach their potential on and off the mat."
Athletic Director Darren Dunn noted that the contract solidifies UNC's commitment to Ware's long-term vision.
"I am very appreciative of the Board of Trustees approving Coach Ware's contract earlier today. This is an important step forward for our program, and we are thrilled to officially welcome him and his family to the UNC family," Dunn said. "Coach Ware brings a tremendous level of energy, knowledge, and commitment to developing student-athletes. I am excited to see him guide this young team both on and off the mat, helping them grow as competitors and as individuals. I am confident that with his work ethic and vision, he will build this program into a national power."
The contract approved Friday ensures stability for a program poised for continued growth, reinforcing UNC's investment in Olympic sports and its commitment to elevating wrestling at the national level.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the wrestling team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNCBearsWrestle), and Instagram (@UNCBearsWrestle).
A two-time NCAA Champion, four-time All-American, and widely respected coach with more than a decade of Division I experience, Ware arrived in Greeley with a championship pedigree and a proven ability to develop elite talent. His career includes impactful coaching stops at Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Binghamton, as well as time working with premier club programs such as the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
Ware spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, helping guide the Sooners to their best NCAA Championships finish in eight years during the 2023-24 season. He played a key role in mentoring three-time All-American Stephen Buchanan, who finished third nationally in 2024 with a 27-3 record, as well as NCAA qualifiers Mosha Schwartz and Willie McDougald. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Ware spent eight years at Wyoming, where he coached 33 NCAA qualifiers, multiple Big 12 champions, and several All-Americans, including Buchanan and standout Bryce Meredith.
Ware's focus since his arrival at UNC has been building a foundation rooted in culture, work ethic, and student-athlete development. The Bears entered the 2025-26 academic year with rising academic marks, and Ware has emphasized elevating training standards while establishing a competitive identity that will sustain success.
"I'm incredibly grateful to the Board of Trustees and to Darren Dunn for their continued trust in me and in the direction of our wrestling program," Ware said. "Northern Colorado is a special place, and I'm excited to keep building a culture that pushes our student-athletes to reach their potential on and off the mat."
Athletic Director Darren Dunn noted that the contract solidifies UNC's commitment to Ware's long-term vision.
"I am very appreciative of the Board of Trustees approving Coach Ware's contract earlier today. This is an important step forward for our program, and we are thrilled to officially welcome him and his family to the UNC family," Dunn said. "Coach Ware brings a tremendous level of energy, knowledge, and commitment to developing student-athletes. I am excited to see him guide this young team both on and off the mat, helping them grow as competitors and as individuals. I am confident that with his work ethic and vision, he will build this program into a national power."
The contract approved Friday ensures stability for a program poised for continued growth, reinforcing UNC's investment in Olympic sports and its commitment to elevating wrestling at the national level.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the wrestling team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNCBearsWrestle), and Instagram (@UNCBearsWrestle).
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