Stevan Webb, left and Chris Warran of UConn club wrestling team at the 2019 NWCA national championships. the Huskies finished tenth overall and second among NWCA Division II teams. (Photo courtesy Sam Janicki /SJanickiPhoto.com)
Long-time wrestling coach in eastern Connecticut, Chris Warran, passed away on Saturday, June 28, according to a message shared by the Silverbacks Wrestling Club out of Willimantic.
“His loss is felt profoundly by all who knew him, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, athletes, and the countless lives he touched,” wrote Rafael Calixto, director of the Silverbacks Wrestling Club in the note shared with friends.
“Chris, Herm, or just Coach depending how you knew him, was more than just a coach—he was a mentor, a leader, and a tireless advocate for youth development through the sport of wrestling,” wrote Calixto. “His passion for coaching wrestling was unmatched, and he dedicated his life to helping student-athletes succeed not just on the mat, but in all areas of life. For us, he was family. Our brother!”
Warran, 41, coached at all levels – youth, high school and college. He was a long-time volunteer with the Silverbacks, was an assistant coach with Ellis Tech’s high school program and was a head coach at UConn for six years (2018-23) for their club wrestling program.
UConn dropped varsity wrestling in 1981 but added a club program in 2007. He coached the club team that consisted primarily of wrestlers from Connecticut high schools.
In his six years, the Huskies competed at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NWCA) national championships four times, finishing in the top 20 overall each time. In 2019, they were tenth overall – their best-ever finish at the NWCA tournament.
In 2019, the Huskies were second in the nation among the NWCA’s Division II teams, third in 2018 and fourth in 2020. In Warran’s six seasons, UConn’s club has produced nine NWCA All-American wrestlers with eight graduating from state high schools.
At the Northeast Regional conference meet, the Huskies finished second three times (2019, 2020, 2023) behind Springfield Technical Community College, which competes at the NWCA’s Division I level.
Warran was named the NWCA Coach of the Year in 2020.
In 2019, the UConn club wresting team finished second in Division II at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s national championships in Texas with three NWCA All-Americans. (Photo courtesy Sam Janicki /SJanickiPhoto.com)
“Chris believed in the power of sports, especially in the sport of wrestling to shape character, build confidence, and teach life-long lessons,” Calixto wrote in his message. “He was deeply committed to helping young people set goals and achieve them — instilling values of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork in every student-athlete he worked with.
“His legacy will live on through the many lives he impacted, the programs he helped build, and the values he championed,” Calixto said. “We will miss his energy, leadership, and unwavering belief in the potential of every young person he coached. We will miss his unconditional friendship and loyalty.”
A celebration of Chris’ life will be Sunday, July 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Windham Golf Course at 184 Club Road in North Windham.
