By Rumer Cantrell, SDA Media Relations

TEMPE, Ariz.- Chris Pendleton, who served four years as the head assistant coach at the University of Wyoming, was named assistant wrestling coach at Arizona State, head wrestling coach Zeke Jones announced Tuesday.

“We're excited about bringing Coach Pendleton on to the Sun Devil Staff,” said Jones. “He brings a wealth of national and world-class experience to our program and has had success in helping wrestlers get on the podium. His technical wrestling knowledge is excellent and he'll bring a championship attitude to our team.”

During his time at Wyoming, Pendleton specialized in training the team’s upper weights, and played a critical role in the team’s success. With the Cowboys, Pendleton’s athletes made great impacts on the team, with his wrestlers winning back-to-back West Regional titles, two-straight All-American honors and multiple conference championships. Under the supervision of Pendleton, UW also won its fourth regular-season Mountain West dual title in six years.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to be a part of the Sun Devil family,” said Pendleton. “The support of Coach Jones, the administration, and alumni has given me the opportunity to be a part of something special here. I cannot wait to get to work.”

In his time as a student-athlete at Oklahoma State, Pendleton was considered one of the top athletes in the sport. A two-time NCAA Champion and three-time All-American honoree at 174 pounds, Pendleton led Oklahoma State to three-straight NCAA Team Championships in 2003, 2004 and 2004, while accumulating an overall collegiate record of 118-12. In 2012, InterMat Magazine named him one of the 10 Best College Wrestlers of the 2000s.

Pendleton is still active in the U.S. freestyle scene and wrestles in various competitions throughout the world. In April he competed in the ASICS Las Vegas/Open Wrestling Championships at 97 kilograms (213 pounds). Pendleton was also a three-time member of the U.S. National Team under current Arizona State head coach Zeke Jones.