Vic Koenning
	Last College: (Kansas State '83) Position: Head Coach Experience: 6th yr at UW Notes: 3rd yr as head coach

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Vic Koenning is entering his third season as head coach of the University of Wyoming Cowboys. He was named the Cowboys' 29th head football coach by Wyoming Athletics Director Lee Moon on Monday, Dec. 13, 1999.

For the three seasons prior to taking over as head coach, Koenning (pronounced CONE-ing) was Wyoming's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.

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 coach.

A 1983 graduate of Kansas State University, Koenning is 42 years old (born Feb. 26, 1960). He was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Wildcats, and he served as captain of K-State's Independence Bowl team in 1982.

"This is a dream come true for me," Koenning said at the time of his hiring in December of `99. "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.

"I was blessed with great parents (Vic Koenning Sr. and Josephine Koenning) that taught me the ideals of honesty, integrity and hard work. Everything that we hope to accomplish here in the future will be based on hard work and dedication to the cause."

In Koenning's first season as Cowboy defensive coordinator, 1997, 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.

The 1999 season saw the Cowboy defense play an instrumental role in victories over Air Force, Utah and Brigham Young. The defense limited the nation's No. 2 ranked rushing team, Air Force, to one touchdown and the country's No. 8 passing team, Brigham Young, to two touchdowns. Wyoming also scored a defensive touchdown and a safety in the victory over Utah.

In his first season as head coach of the Cowboys, Koenning's 2000 squad was hit hard by injuries, as Cowboy starters missed a total of 45 starts due to injury. His 2001 squad was among the most explosive offensive teams in the country, ranking No. 15 in the nation in passing offense (282.4 yards per game).

Among the players who Koenning has coached at Wyoming were 1997 Consensus All-American free safety Brian Lee. All total, nine Cowboys he has coached have earned First Team All-Conference honors and 12 have been named Second Team All-Conference during his five seasons at Wyoming. During Koenning's tenure on the UW staff, the Cowboys have had two All-Americans (Brian Lee in 1997 and J.D. Wallum in `2001), two Academic All-Americans ( Lee in `97 and Brian Brown in `98) and three Freshman All-Americans (Jeff Boyle in `97, Rob Kellerman in `99 and Ryan McGuffey in 2000 as selected by The Sporting News).

An outstanding recruiter, Koenning has been responsible for bringing to Wyoming such players as linebackers Patrick Chukwurah, Tim Glynn and Adrian Hill.

Koenning played professionally for the Denver Broncos in 1983, and then signed with the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in `84. 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 is married to the former Tracey Templeton, and has four children, Kimberly, Brady, Camden and Jackson.