Zach Curran returns to Central Wyoming College as head rodeo coach, bringing his own experience as a former Rustler back to the program as a new season gets underway.
For Zach Curran, stepping into the head coaching position at Central Wyoming College is more than a new job. It is a return to a place that helped shape his own rodeo career and entire life..
Curran has been named the new head coach of the CWC Rustler Rodeo program in Riverton, Wyoming, bringing his experience back to the same college where he once competed as a student athlete himself.
The Rustlers have already started their first week of practice as they prepare for another season in the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). CWC will compete throughout Wyoming and Colorado as the team works toward another season of regional competition and the College National Finals Rodeo.
For Curran, being back in the program carries plenty of meaning.
“Coming back to Central Wyoming College as the head rodeo coach is a full circle moment for me,” Curran said in the team's social media post.
Coming Full Circle
Curran knows the Rustler program from the inside.
Before he was coaching the team, he was one of the students competing for it. His time as a CWC student athlete played an important role in his development, making the opportunity to return in a leadership role something that goes beyond simply taking over a program.
“I had the privilege of competing here as a student-athlete and CWC played an important role in shaping who I am today,” Curran said.
Now he gets the opportunity to help shape the next group of Rustlers.
“To now have the opportunity to lead this program, mentor the next generation of student athletes, and represent a college that means so much to me is an incredible honor,” he said.
The timing comes as CWC continues building on a strong rodeo tradition. Last season, three Rustlers represented the college at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). Eian Smith competed in bareback riding, Colton Clymer represented CWC in bull riding, and Cael Espenschied competed in team roping.
The program also saw former head coach Drew Schrock receive Central Rocky Mountain Region Coach of the Year honors.
Building on a Strong Tradition
Curran now takes over a program that has continued to make its presence known in the region, with a new group of student-athletes beginning another season of practice and competition.
The goal is to build and grow and become better as a team and each athlete individually too! Curran said he is excited to continue the tradition surrounding CWC Rodeo while giving back to the program that gave him an opportunity earlier in his own career.
“I’m excited to build on the tradition of CWC Rodeo and give back to the program that once gave me so much,” Curran said.
With practice already underway, Curran and the Rustlers are beginning the work that will determine where this year's team goes. The College National Finals is the goal. They have been well represented there before. They hope to return to Casper, with that home-state advantage, and take home a national title this year with the help of Mr. Curran.
For a coach returning to the place where his own collegiate rodeo career began, the first season in charge is also the beginning of a new chapter for a program he already knows very well.
A good coach might win championships, but a great coach changes the lives of his student-athletes in the process of winning too. The Rustlers welcome Zach, knowing he will do both for the kids in the program.
