The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Board of Trustees has officially approved the contract for new wrestling head coach Teyon Ware during a meeting on campus in Greeley, Colorado, on October 20, 2023. Ware, who was hired in July to succeed longtime coach Troy Nickerson, will lead the team with a five-year contract that runs through June 30, 2030.
Ware’s contract stipulates a base salary of $97,325 and includes provisions for standard exempt employee compensation adjustments. He began his tenure as head coach on July 1, 2023. A distinguished wrestler, Ware is a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Oklahoma, securing titles at 141 pounds in 2003 and 2005, and achieving All-American status four times by finishing in the top eight at the NCAA Tournament.
During a practice session on October 17, 2025, Ware demonstrated techniques to the UNC wrestling team, showcasing his commitment to the athletes in his first season as head coach. His hiring followed Nickerson’s departure to take on a similar role at Army West Point.
Before stepping into this head coaching position, Ware spent three years as an assistant coach at Oklahoma and previously held the same role at the University of Wyoming for eight seasons. At Wyoming, he contributed to the success of the program, which saw 33 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA championships and clinched multiple Big 12 Conference titles. The wrestling program at UNC is also a member of the Big 12 Conference, providing a competitive landscape for its athletes.
Ware’s coaching experience extends beyond college wrestling; he has also worked at Binghamton University in New York and with top-level club programs, including the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club in Pennsylvania. His diverse background equips him with a wealth of knowledge to guide the Bears in their upcoming seasons.
In a statement released by the athletic department, Ware expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees and athletic director Darren Dunn for their confidence in him and the wrestling program. “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,” he stated.
Additionally, the contract contains several key financial provisions. Ware is eligible for an annual retention bonus of $27,675, funded through endowment sources. He will also receive a signing bonus of $25,000, which is subject to repayment should he leave the position within two years. Other benefits include up to three months of university housing, a UNC-provided cellphone, a $5,000 relocation reimbursement, and potential annual incentive compensation of up to $28,000, linked to academic, athletic, and programmatic performance.
The contract allows for the possibility of extension, contingent upon mutual written agreement. If UNC wishes to extend Ware’s contract beyond June 30, 2030, they must notify him in writing by March 1, 2030. During the Board meeting, Dunn lauded Ware’s accomplishments at Oklahoma, emphasizing that he is “a great member of the coaching staff and someone to be proud of” as he embarks on this new chapter with the Bears.
With his impressive background and a clear vision for the future, Teyon Ware is poised to make a significant impact on the UNC wrestling program in the years to come.
