Chris Chionuma - Associate Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator - Wrestling Coaches

Photo by: Owen Main

Chris Chionuma

Title:
Associate Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Email:
cchionum@calpoly.edu

Chris Chionuma, former Oklahoma State wrestler and Big XII Conference champion, was hired as Cal Poly's Head Assistant Wrestling Coach in July 2018. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach in July 2021.

Prior to joining the Mustang coaching staff and leading the program to new heights, Chionuma spent three years at Army West Point, who qualified 12 student-athletes for the NCAA Championships during his time there. He also served as head coach at Ouachita Baptist University, an NCAA Division II school, which finished fifth at the NCAA Division II National Championships under his leadership.

Chionuma was instrumental in the rise of the Army wrestling program, assisting in signing back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes to the military institution. Chionuma is a meticulous recruiter with a keen eye on targeting student-athletes who can also handle the academic rigors.

From a student-athlete development standpoint, Chionuma primarily focuses on the mid to upper weights. Nine of the 12 NCAA Division I national qualifiers Army had during his time there were at weights 157 and above.

"Stylistically, he brings a different flavor to the table," said Mustang head coach Jon Sioredas. "He competed at Oklahoma State, one of the most storied programs in the history of our sport, under one of the most legendary coaches, John Smith."

"However, the most important draw to him is his character," Sioredas added. "He has an infectious personality and lights up the room when he walks in. He is passionate about coaching."

Chionuma enjoyed a successful collegiate wrestling career that included three separate NAIA All-America honors while wrestling at Lindenwood University from 2008-11. He also earned an individual national title at 174 pounds at Lindenwood in 2011.

Chionuma transferred to Oklahoma State following the 2010-11 season, eventually earning a Big XII championship at 184 pounds during the 2012-13 season. He compiled a 28-10 record with four falls and was a national qualifier on the Oklahoma State team that placed second at the 2013 NCAA Championships.

A graduate of Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Missouri, where he was a state champion during his senior season and placed third at state as a junior, Chionuma earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Oklahoma State in 2012 and lives in Arroyo Grande, Calif. with his wife, Makenzie Chionuma, and their son, Carter.

Chris Chionuma File

2018-24
Associate Head Coach at Cal Poly (2021-Present)
Head Assistant Coach (2018-21)

2015-18
Assistant Coach at Army West Point

12 National Qualifiers at the NCAA Division I Championships

2014-15
Head Coach at Ouachita Baptist (Arkadelphia, AR)

Team finished 5th at the NCAA Division II Championships

2013-14
Graduate Assistant Coach at Ouachita Baptist

Team finished 4th at the NCAA Division II Championships

2011-13

Big XII Champion and National Qualifier at Oklahoma State University

Team finished 2nd at the Division I NCAA Championships

2008-11

NAIA National Champion at Lindenwood University