Wrestling is coming back to Northern Oklahoma College! Yesterday the announcement was made that NOC-Tonkawa will be bringing back its men’s wrestling program, and starting its women’s wrestling program.
Bryan Kenny has been chosen as the head man for the men’s program, while Jayden Miller has been chosen to head the girl’s program. Both programs will be starting up in the fall of 2024. Kenney will be coming from Wylie Texas where he heads up the JJ Pierce High School Wrestling team, he is also a Gold Certified Coach in USA Wrestling. Miller spoke about his hiring saying “After being on campus and meeting some members of the community of Tonkawa, I know this is a special place,” he said. “We have the support and resources to build a program that will be competing at the national level quickly. This is the heart of ‘wrestling country’ and NOC offers a great education, academic and athletic scholarships, and is housed in a small town that believes in the future of this program. I am excited to bring my family here and become a NOC Maverick family.”
Jayden Miller comes from Southwestern Oregon Community College where he worked as an assistant for both the men’s and women’s wrestling program. Miller spoke about being chosen to lead the women’s program saying “I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity that Northern Oklahoma College has given me,” Miller said. “It has been a dream of mine to be a college head coach since I was little. To be the Inaugural Head Women’s Wrestling Coach at NOC is something I take with a great deal of pride.”
Oklahoma is a hotbed for wrestling and both coaches hope to establish great programs. NOC Athletic Director Alan Foster spoke about the hiring of both coaches saying “Bryan’s experience in so many areas of managing and coaching top-notch wrestling programs will come in so handy in dealing with all that comes with starting new programs,” he said. “I am comfortable with his leadership ability as we re-establish the men’s wrestling program.”
He also spoke about the hiring of Miller saying “After a long thorough process, I am happy to identify Jayden Miller to be the head coach to lead the women’s wrestling program at Northern Oklahoma College,” Foster said. “Jayden’s experience at the college level brings an immediate understanding of recruiting and what is needed to run a college program.”
It’s exciting to have college wrestling back in Northwest Oklahoma, stay tuned as CTB Sports continues to bring you coverage of both programs.
