The University of Northern Colorado’s Board of Trustees approved the employment contract for new wrestling head coach Teyon Ware during a meeting held on campus in Greeley, Colorado. This decision comes after Ware’s hiring in July, following the departure of former coach Troy Nickerson, who accepted a position as the head coach at Army West Point.
Ware’s five-year contract, which runs through June 30, 2030, includes a base salary of $97,325. The contract allows for standard compensation adjustments for exempt employees. Ware officially began his role on July 1.
A distinguished wrestler, Ware is a two-time NCAA champion from the University of Oklahoma, where he also earned All-American honors four times. He secured NCAA titles at 141 pounds in 2003 and 2005, finishing sixth in 2004 and second in 2006. His experience as an athlete provides a strong foundation for his coaching career.
In his new position, Ware is keen to foster a positive culture for the wrestling program. He expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees and athletic director Darren Dunn for their trust in his vision. “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,” Ware stated in a release from the athletic department.
Coaching Experience and Support
Before joining UNC, Ware was an assistant coach at Oklahoma for three years and previously spent eight years at the University of Wyoming, where he contributed to the development of 33 NCAA qualifiers and multiple Big 12 Conference championships. Additionally, he coached at Binghamton University and worked with elite club programs, including the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club in Pennsylvania.
Dunn praised Ware’s accomplishments and emphasized his value to the coaching staff. “He is a great member of the coaching staff and someone to be proud of,” Dunn remarked during the meeting.
The contract includes several additional provisions. Ware will receive an annual retention bonus of $27,675 funded through endowment resources, as well as a $25,000 signing bonus that must be repaid if he leaves the position within two years. Other benefits include up to three months of university housing, a UNC-provided cellphone, and a $5,000 relocation reimbursement. Additionally, he is eligible for annual incentive compensation of up to approximately $28,000, contingent upon academic, athletic, and programmatic performance.
If the university wishes to extend Ware’s contract beyond June 30, 2030, it must provide written notice by March 1, 2030.
With Ware at the helm, the University of Northern Colorado wrestling program aspires to build on its successes and create a competitive environment in the Big 12 Conference.
