Mario Morgan

Bio

UB announced the addition of Men's Wrestling and the appointment of Mario Morgan as head coach on Sept. 18, 2024. UB men's wrestling previously existed during the University's formative years.

Bridgeport enjoyed a successful return to competition during the 2025-26 season. The Purple Knights hosted the first-ever wrestling dual meet inside Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium and earned dual-meet victories over Maine Maritime Academy, Hunter College and Emmanuel College.

Individually, Matt Ryan emerged as one of the team's top performers, earning a national ranking at 157 pounds during the season and capping off his standout campaign with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Super Regional Championships.

Adding to the program's success, freshman Gatlin Krepela and sophomore Achilles Clark were each named Scholar All-Americans by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) following the 2025-26 season.

Morgan brought a proven track record and impressive resume to UB when he was hired in 2024, including a sensational collegiate career and more than 10 years of coaching experience under legendary head coach Mike Denney at Maryville University. 

While wrestling at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), Morgan won the 2011 NCAA National Championship in the 141-pound weight class after earning All-American honors in 2009 and 2010. Morgan completed his time at UNO with a sensational 130-38 record. He competed on three consecutive national championship teams from 2009-2011, where he placed third, second, and first, respectively.

Following his undergraduate career, Morgan founded the wrestling program at Maryville University and served as an assistant coach from 2011-2023. He served under legendary head coach Mike Denney, who coached Morgan as a student-athlete at Omaha and had coached the three previous national championship teams at UNO.

While at Maryville, Morgan was instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the collegiate wrestling program, supporting the recruitment, technique, and development of 27 All-American wrestlers. Two of Morgan's teams at Maryville boasted top three NCAA finishes and a pair of individual national champions.