"I am honored and grateful to have the opportunity to coach wrestling at Army West Point," Chionuma said upon his hiring. "I am looking forward to working with the future leaders of America through the sport of wrestling."
Chionuma comes to Army West Point after serving as head coach for a year at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. He also worked alongside Ward during the 2013-14 season as a graduate assistant for the Ouachita Baptist wrestling program.
During the 2014-15 season, Chionuma led Ouachita Baptist to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships. He also mentored four All-Americans a season ago, including national champion at 184 pounds, Dallas Smith.
As a graduate assistant coach in 2013-14, Chionuma contributed to a wrestling team produced a program-record five All-Americans, while helping the Tigers finish fourth nationally.
"I couldn't be more thrilled about Chris joining our staff," Ward said. "He will have an immediate impact on the entire team, especially with the middle and upper weights. His success as an athlete speaks for itself and having coached alongside him in the past, I know we are getting someone who knows the sport technically, can teach great technique, and will strive to coach in all dimensions. Chris will make our guys better on and off the wrestling mat. This is a great pickup for our program."
Chionuma enjoyed a successful collegiate wrestling career that included three separate NAIA All-America honors while wrestling at Lindenwood University. He also earned an individual national title at Lindenwood in 2011.
Chionuma transferred to Oklahoma State following the 2010-11 season, eventually earning a Big 12 championship at 184 pounds in 2012-13. He was a national qualifier on the Oklahoma State team that placed second at the 2013 NCAA Championships.
Chionuma earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Oklahoma State in 2012.
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