On July 2, 2025, the wrestling community in eastern Connecticut and beyond felt a deep sense of sadness at the loss of Chris Warran, a cherished coach, mentor, and friend.
Chris, known as “Herm” or “Coach,” was a key figure in wrestling, significantly impacting many young athletes through his commitment to the sport.
His death has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, athletes, and the entire Silverback Wrestling community, but his legacy endures through the values he instilled and the lives he transformed.
Chris Warran Was A Passionate Advocate For Wrestling’s Transformative Power
For years, he poured his heart into coaching at every level, from youth programs to high school and college club teams.
His commitment to the sport was evident in his tireless work as a volunteer coach with Silverback Wrestling, a cornerstone youth program in Windham, Connecticut.
He also served as an assistant coach at H.H. Ellis Technical High School, where his exceptional skills earned him the title of Assistant Coach of the Year in Connecticut.
His influence spread to the collegiate level, where he served as head coach of the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) club wrestling program for six years.
UConn’s wrestling program, which transitioned to a club sport in 2007 after the varsity team was discontinued in 1981, flourished under Warran’s leadership.
His teams, composed primarily of wrestlers from Connecticut high schools, competed with distinction at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championships.
Over his six-year tenure, the Huskies made four appearances at the NCWA Nationals, consistently finishing in the top 20.
Their most notable achievement came in 2019 when they secured a remarkable 10th-place finish overall—the program’s best ever at the tournament.
That same year, UConn placed second among NCWA Division II teams, following a third-place finish in 2018 and a fourth-place finish in 2020.
At the Northeast Regional Conference meet, Warran’s Huskies earned second place three times (2019, 2020, and 2023), trailing only Springfield Technical Community College, an NCWA Division I team.
Under Warran’s guidance, UConn’s club program produced nine NCWA All-American wrestlers, eight of whom were graduates of Connecticut high schools.
His ability to develop talent was recognized in 2020 when he was named the NCWA Coach of the Year, a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the sport.
Chris Warran, the UConn club wrestling team, at the 2019 NWCA national championships.
Chris Warran’s influence spread far beyond wins and losses.
He believed wrestling was a vehicle for building character, fostering discipline, and teaching lifelong lessons.
To him, every practice and match was an opportunity to help young athletes set goals, overcome challenges, and grow into confident, resilient individuals.
His athletes didn’t just learn how to wrestle—they learned how to persevere, work as a team, and believe in their potential.
Warran’s approach was deeply personal. He treated his athletes like family, earning their trust and respect through his unwavering support and genuine care.
“He was our brother,” the Silverback Wrestling community wrote in a heartfelt tribute, capturing the depth of his connection to those he coached.
Whether he was strategizing with high school wrestlers at Ellis Tech, mentoring college athletes at UConn, or challenging opponents to a chess match—a game he loved and excelled at—Chris brought passion and authenticity to everything he did.
The News Of Chris Warran’s Death Deeply Saddened The Wrestling Community
Connecticut USA Wrestling announced his passing on their Facebook page, writing,
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our CT Wrestling Family members from Silverback—Chris Warran. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris’s family as well as with the entire Silverback Family.”
Via Facebook
The Silverback Wrestling program echoed this sentiment, describing him as a “dear friend and community member” whose loss is felt by all who knew him.
Tributes poured in from across Connecticut, reflecting the widespread impact of Warran’s life.
Curtis Urbina, representing the Newtown wrestling community, shared,
“We, here in Newtown, are sending our deepest condolences to the family, friends and wrestling community during this difficult time. May he rest in peace and travel safely home to his Creator.
Via Facebook
Hugs to his family and to the Silverback grapplers “
Similarly, Bryant Lishness of the Bristol Gladiators Wrestling family wrote,
“So sorry to hear this. May he Rest In Peace. Condolences from the Bristol Gladiators Wrestling family to the Silverback Wrestling Family.”
Via Facebook
These messages capture the outpouring of love and respect for a man who was not only a coach but a pillar of the community.
His ability to connect with people—whether through a shared love of wrestling or a friendly game of chess—made him unforgettable.
Chris Warran’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Connecticut wrestling.
The programs he helped build, the athletes he mentored, and the values he championed will continue to shape the sport for years to come.
His work with Silverback Wrestling, Ellis Tech, and UConn created opportunities for countless young people to discover their potential, both on the mat and in life.
His accolades—Assistant Connecticut Coach of the Year, NCWA Coach of the Year, and the success of his teams—speak to his talent, but it’s the lives he touched that truly define his impact.
As the wrestling community mourns his loss, they also celebrate his life.
Warran’s energy, leadership, and belief in the power of sports to transform lives will live on through every athlete he coached and every person he inspired.
His family, friends, and the Silverback Wrestling community are in the thoughts of many, with plans for memorial services and tributes to be shared as they become available.
Chris Warran was a coach, a mentor, a friend—and his memory will forever be a source of strength for those he left behind.
