STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday that it has named Teague Moore as its new executive director. Moore's appointment was approved by the Hall of Fame's Board of Governors. He succeeds Lee Roy Smith, who has served as executive director since 2004.
Moore is scheduled to begin his new duties on December 1 and will relocate to Stillwater as soon as possible. Smith will remain with the organization in an advisory capacity, providing assistance to Moore throughout the transition.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. I am humbled by the board's confidence in me and honored by the responsibility of serving our wrestling community in this role," said Moore. "Lee Roy Smith's leadership over the past 22 years has created an extraordinary legacy for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He assumed leadership of the Hall during a time of significant financial uncertainty and, together with the staff, Board and wrestling community, leaves it on a strong foundation with tremendous opportunities ahead.
"I have great respect for what Lee Roy has accomplished and am grateful that I will have the opportunity to learn from him during this transition," he added. "Wrestling has been at the center of my life, and I am excited to build upon the Hall's strong foundation as we honor the people and history of our great sport, tell their stories and inspire future generations as we move together into the Hall's next chapter."
"Lee Roy Smith and our staff have done an outstanding job of writing the current chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's legacy, and our organization is well positioned for future success, said John Harris, Chairman of the Hall of Fame's Board of Governors. "Our search committee and Board of Governors are confident that Teague Moore possesses the skill set, experience, vision and energy to take our Hall of Fame to new heights in its next chapter.
"We look forward to a bright and exciting future."
A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Moore founded and owns The Wrestling Consultant, serving wrestlers and families across the country. He is deeply connected to the wrestling community at every level and brings real entrepreneurial energy to this role.
Since 2021, Moore has consulted wrestlers and families in all aspects of the sport, including recruiting, mentorship and technical development, while also providing private instruction and working with athletes in group settings through clubs, camps and clinics.
Moore was head wrestling coach at American University from 2011 to 2021 and at Clarion University from 2006 to 2011. Prior to becoming a head coach, he spent two years at Harvard University under head coach Jay Weiss, including one year as an assistant coach, and a year at Oklahoma State University as director of film and facilities while continuing his competitive career. Moore also spent two years at the University of Oklahoma under head coach Jack Spates, including one year as an assistant coach and one year in a training position, after beginning his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
A four-year starter at Oklahoma State, Moore was an NCAA champion, a three-time All-American, a two-time Big Eight Conference champion and three-time finalist, and a four-time NCAA qualifier. Moore finished third at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2000 and 2004 while winning the University World Freestyle Championships in 2000 and the U.S. Open national title in 2002. He was a four-time member of the U.S. National Team (2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004) and earned a silver medal at the World Cup in 2003. He placed second at the World Team Trials in 2002 and third in 2003 while also finishing third at the U.S. Open national tournament in 2003 and 2004.
As a head coach, Moore coached five wrestlers who earned All-America honors, 40 NCAA qualifiers, eight conference champions and 17 conference finalists, 47 conference place-winners, two conference Outstanding Wrestlers and 20 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic selections. He also coached the U.S. men's freestyle team to a third-place finish at the U23 World Championships in 2017 and a runner-up finish at the Junior World Championships in 2018.
Moore served in various capacities with USA Wrestling, including as an athlete representative and also as chair of the Junior, which ultimately became U20, and University, which ultimately became U23, committee. He also was a member of the finance committee. His various roles afforded him the opportunity to be a member of the USA Wrestling Board of Directors. Moore ultimately stepped away after taking over as head coach at Clarion.
Moore also worked with W.F. Chesley Real Estate, whose founder William Chesley was honored as an Outstanding American by the Maryland Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022.
Smith has served 22 years as executive director and helped lead the Hall of Fame from financial uncertainty to long-term financial stability, including the acquisition of the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. In the last decade, he has spearheaded capital campaigns for state-of-the-art renovations for the museums, $3.8 million in Stillwater and $1.5 million in Waterloo. Smith helped create the Hall of Fame's Endowment Fund in 2007 and oversaw its growth to more than $1 million. He was instrumental in creating the Power Beyond endowment campaign, which raised more than $5 million and increased the organization's endowment to more than $6 million. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2026.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.5 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.
For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.
