GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Northern Colorado has announced the hiring of Teyon Ware as its new head wrestling coach.
Ware becomes the eighth head coach in UNC wrestling’s 46-year history.
A two-time NCAA Champion, four-time All-American and respected coach with over a decade of Division I experience, Ware brings a championship pedigree and proven track record of developing talent to Greeley.
“We are thrilled to welcome Teyon Ware to Bear Country,” said Director of Athletics Darren Dunn. “Teyon has competed and coached at the highest levels of college wrestling, and his ability to develop student-athletes into elite competitors speaks for itself. His leadership, character, and vision for the future of UNC Wrestling make him the right person to guide our program forward.”
Ware joins the Bears after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, where he helped lead the Sooners to their best NCAA Championships finish in eight years during the 2023-24 season. He played a pivotal role in mentoring three-time All-American Stephen Buchanan, who finished third nationally at 197 pounds with a 27-3 record, as well as Mosha Schwartz (141) and Willie McDougald (149), who qualified for their fourth and third NCAA Championships, respectively, in 2024-25.
Before returning to his alma mater, Ware spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Wyoming, helping guide 33 Cowboys to NCAA berths and mentoring multiple Big 12 champions. Under his leadership, standout wrestlers Stephen Buchanan and Bryce Meredith earned All-America honors. He also held coaching roles at Binghamton University and with several prestigious club programs, including the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
As a competitor, Ware is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in Oklahoma history. He compiled a 112-15 collegiate record under Hall of Fame coach Jack Spates, capturing NCAA titles at 141 pounds in both his freshman and junior seasons. A Big 12 Champion and Outstanding Wrestler in 2003, Ware was also named to the Big 12 10th Anniversary Team and inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity-it’s taken a lot of hard work to get here,” said Ware, “First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, my family and friends, and the coaches who have served as both mentors and friends along the way. I’m especially grateful for those who stood by me and offered genuine support throughout this journey. The easy part is behind us-now it’s time to get to work. Our focus is on building something real at Northern Colorado: creating opportunities for young men and bringing talent to Greeley. With that mindset, I believe we’re going to be just fine.”
A native of Edmond, Oklahoma, Ware was a perfect 132-0 in high school at Edmond North, winning four state titles and the prestigious Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. He also excelled as a football player, earning all-state honors.
Ware’s wrestling career extended to the international stage, where he represented the United States at the 2011 World Championships and won a bronze medal at the 2011 Pan-American Games.
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The official hiring of Teyon Ware is pending completion of a standard background check.
