Dec. 13, 1999

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Vic Koenning, the man who brought back Wyoming's defensive tradition to the program, has been named the Cowboys' 29th head football coach, Wyoming Athletics Director William Lee Moon, Sr., announced Monday.

For the past three seasons Koenning, (Cone-ing), 39 (born Feb. 26, 1960), has been Wyoming's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. His defense has been the cornerstone of the Cowboy program since his arrival.

According to Moon, Koenning's contract is for five-years with a buyout clause. He will receive a base salary of $100,200, Moon said. The total package, including incentives, will be $240,000, according to the athletics director.

"I always have a short list of candidates, and my list started at home," Moon said. "I couldn't be more excited. I always want a coach with tremendous work ethic, who can motivate and communicate with the student-athletes. Vic fits that criteria. He also wants to be here. I felt the cornerstone of Dana Dimel's tenure has been the defense. Since Vic has been here, Wyoming has played hard-nosed, physical defense. It has been the most consistent aspect of our football program.

"I want to thank Dana for what he did for our program, and wish him the best," Moon continued. "There is still work left to be done. The program has plenty of room to grow, and I believe Vic can get that done for us."

A native of Owasso, Okla., Koenning came to Wyoming from the University of Memphis where he served as the defensive secondary coach for six seasons (1991-96). He spent 10 seasons there in a variety of roles--graduate assistant, strength and conditioning coach for football and as an assistant.

A 1982 graduate of Kansas State, Koenning was a four-year starter at linebacker, and was twice named to the All-Big Eight Team. In addition, he served as captain of the Wildcats' Independence Bowl team in 1982.

"This is a dream come true for me," Koenning said. "I was offered a great opportunity to go to Houston, but I wanted to be here. I wanted this opportunity in this place. Football has been my life. I've been training for this. I have had the good fortune to have played for and coached with tremendous coaches, coaches with great backgrounds. I have learned from outstanding people, and I'm looking forward to my opportunity.

"We feel fortunate to have retained Matt Wallerstedt (Cowboy defensive line coach for the past three seasons). He too was offered a great opportunity at Houston, but he wanted to remain here. So we have won our first recruiting battle. We hope to have the remainder of our staff in place by the end of the week.

"To the players in the program, I want them to have the opportunity to reap the rewards they deserve for all of their hard work. To those on the offense, I feel for them the way things have transpired. But we will give them an offense that can be highly productive and fun to run. We will spread the field by formation and personnel groupings. We will not be afraid to put our hand in the dirt, fire out and hit somebody in the nose. We will be intense, and we will be in top condition."

In Koenning's first season as Cowboy defensive coordinator, his aggressive defense was among the most improved in the nation. The Pokes ranked second in the nation in quarterback sacks, sixth in pass defense, 17th in scoring defense and 23rd in total defense. They also set a school record for interceptions with 24. In 1998, his defense was again among the nation's leaders, ranking 28th in the country in scoring defense.

This past season, the Cowboy defense was instrumental in victories over Air Force, Utah and Brigham Young. The defense limited the nation's number-two ranked rushing team Air Force to one touchdown and the country's number eight passing team Brigham Young to two touchdowns. Wyoming also scored a defensive touchdown and a safety in the victory over bowl-bound Utah.

Among the players who Koenning has coached at Wyoming are 1997 Consensus All-American Brian Lee at free safety. All total, four Cowboy defenders have earned First Team All-Conference honors and seven have been named Second Team All-Conference during his three seasons at Wyoming. The Cowboy defense also has had three Academic All-Americans and a Sporting News Freshman All-American.

An outstanding recruiter, Koenning has been responsible for bringing to Wyoming such players as linebacker Cortney Barnes, defensive end Patrick Chukwurah, cornerback Chris Cole, linebackers Antwan Floyd, Marcus Ford, Tim Glynn and Adrian Hill and defensive end Brandon Jones.

Koenning played professionally for the Denver Broncos in 1984, and then signed with the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL. He played two seasons with the Outlaws, finishing first on the team in tackles his first season and second the following season. After a stint with the Green Bay Packers in 1986, Koenning retired from professional football and entered the coaching profession. Koenning signed with Kansas State University following an outstanding prep career in football, basketball and track at Owasso High School.

Koenning is married to the former Tracey Templeton, and has two children, Kimberly and Brady.