Beth

SJP80

Sophomore
Oct 12, 2021
77
172
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Be honest, are you even truly an Iowa fan? You seem like the person that always looks for the negative, when so much positive is staring you right in the face. Iowa was considerably better than one of the most dominant dynasties in all of sports, for 2 years in a row. One of those years was done during Covid and the other dealt with ridiculous Covid restrictions the following year.

Covid SLAMMED their momentum to a halt and messed up the entire plan with the new facility. Without Covid, they win 2 in a row, have that facility finished years earlier and they take huge advantage of that. Instead, their success gets diminished as much as humanly possible and they lose all momentum. NIL makes recruiting the wild west and the compliance department takes a hard line stance while all the other top schools are using it to the greyest areas possible.

Again, YES, it is entirely acceptable to want more. I completely understand that. But, MOST of you on here that are complaining the loudest have NO FRICKING IDEA what you are actually complaining about...
hmmmm 2025, still blaming COVID?
 
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MSU158

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2014
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hmmmm 2025, still blaming COVID?
Simply stating a fact. Covid crushed Iowa so much more than most realize and then the gambling garbage doubled down. It put a massive halt on momentum and cost them a cycle. It isn’t “blame” to state the truth.

Now, I would agree that, going forward, it’s time to put that in the rear view, pull up the bootstraps and go to work. The 2027 class seems to show that is happening. It’s just when people make a point to ignore when Iowa last won and conveniently start the year after, CONTEXT is important to contradict the disingenuous…
 

SJP80

Sophomore
Oct 12, 2021
77
172
33
Simply stating a fact. Covid crushed Iowa so much more than most realize and then the gambling garbage doubled down. It put a massive halt on momentum and cost them a cycle. It isn’t “blame” to state the truth.

Now, I would agree that, going forward, it’s time to put that in the rear view, pull up the bootstraps and go to work. The 2027 class seems to show that is happening. It’s just when people make a point to ignore when Iowa last won and conveniently start the year after, CONTEXT is important to contradict the disingenuous…
And others would say "it’s time to put that in the rear view, pull up the bootstraps and go to work" should have been the thought a few years ago, right after COVID. COVID is over, you get what you earn in 2021, 2022, 2023, etc.
 

grasshawk40

Senior
Iowa Swarm member
Dec 16, 2022
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I think people don't understand what goes on and most have never stepped foot in a D1 room. And when a loss happens everyone says dumb sh*t
and then old hats get to tell everyone how stupid they are and that getting beat by ISU isnt that big of deal...
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
423
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Brands showed some serious change when Perry was brought in...now he shifted back to what it was like prior. This off season is going to tell us a lot. He needs some serious shaking up of things otherwise what will change from the current path? If I'm betting- TnT will just keep running their head into the same wall business as usual.
 

Sdwrestler_20

Junior
Dec 21, 2021
53
206
33
Didn't say Ben. I don't want him anywhere in Iowa City. I said Nolf ...with veteran assistant coach. A Zalesky, Barry Davis type who has a year or two left to help the new young star coach learn the ropes and then ride off into the sunset.
Or.... Nolf comes in as an assistant under Tom, Terry shifts to HWC as the full time head coach and Nolf learns the administration side under Tom for 3-4 years before taking over (Tom retires) and building out his staff with his own guys.
 

ChicagoHawk2020

All-Conference
Nov 6, 2017
708
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Didn't say Ben. I don't want him anywhere in Iowa City. I said Nolf ...with veteran assistant coach. A Zalesky, Barry Davis type who has a year or two left to help the new young star coach learn the ropes and then ride off into the sunset.
Why would Iowa settle for a guy who PSU passed on for one of their assistant coach positions. Aim higher.
 

Corby2

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Jul 14, 2025
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and then old hats get to tell everyone how stupid they are and that getting beat by ISU isnt that big of deal...
I don't think 51 is old but you do you . I just think some realize it's 1 dual in November. And it's not like they didn't win it for 20 years. Iowa st is building a solid program and will be winning this dual a few more times in the next 10 years I think
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
423
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Or.... Nolf comes in as an assistant under Tom, Terry shifts to HWC as the full time head coach and Nolf learns the administration side under Tom for 3-4 years before taking over (Tom retires) and building out his staff with his own guys.

Sure...sign me up for that. Heck sign me up for any coaching shake up Tom wants to do at this point. HWC too. Nobody deserves to be safe as long as everytime we face another top team our takedowns equal our stall calls and we get our lunch handed to us on most scrambles.
 
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Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
423
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Why would Iowa settle for a guy who PSU passed on for one of their assistant coach positions. Aim higher.

Who said they did. PSU has Casey Cunningham in the room so the other assistants are not recruiting or handling the main coaching. Maybe Cael just was closer with Nick Lee. Maybe Nick is a better yes man. I mean by your logic why do we have Morningstar instead of Metcalf? If I had to pick a new head coach it would be Metcalf between them.
 

ChicagoHawk2020

All-Conference
Nov 6, 2017
708
1,969
92
By your criteria only Nick Lee and Zain Retherford qualify. Best of luck prying one of them away. Or maybe you want Gillman?
Both of the them would 100% leave to be Iowas HC. Are you being serious? However, Cunningham would be the guy to target from that staff.

Edit- there's a decent chance he'd say no but that is the line of who we need to target to bring us back to the top
 
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Wrestleknownothing

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2021
1,484
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Both of the them would 100% leave to be Iowas HC. Are you being serious? However, Cunningham would be the guy to target from that staff.
To get one of them you would need to pay them like Tom Brands or else why would they leave PSU where they have a chance to succeed Sanderson. Would Iowa do that for a never-time head coach? Doubtful. But Nolf doesn't already have a PSU position. Seems far more likely he would take less than what Brands makes.

But the worst case scenario is all three want to be paid better than Taylor.
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
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By your criteria only Nick Lee and Zain Retherford qualify. Best of luck prying one of them away. Or maybe you want Gillman?
None of them have a future as a head coach at PSU. It will be Taylor taking over when Carl leaves, unless he falls completely on his face at okyst, which will be impossible with the recruiting he’s doing and the huge donor backing him.
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
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To get one of them you would need to pay them like Tom Brands or else why would they leave PSU where they have a chance to succeed Sanderson. Would Iowa do that for a never-time head coach? Doubtful. But Nolf doesn't already have a PSU position. Seems far more likely he would take less than what Brands makes.

But the worst case scenario is all three want to be paid better than Taylor.
Doesn’t Taylor make 1 million a year plus incentives? Does Cael do that good? That seriously limits the teams you can coach to ones with a billion or multiple multimillionaires will to really open the pocket book. Osu made Taylor an offer he could not refuse.
 
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Wrestleknownothing

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Doesn’t Taylor make 1 million a year plus incentives? Does Cael do that good? That seriously limits the teams you can coach to ones with a billion or multiple multimillionaires will to really open the pocket book. Osu made Taylor an offer he could not refuse.
Yes, that is why I was saying the worst case is someone wanting Taylor money.
 

District 4

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2018
830
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And thats exactly why iowa is where it is. Anyone who wants to pass over Nolf for any reason probably should go back and watch some tape on how he wrestled. I'd take Nolf over DT any day of the week and would be heart broken if he ended up at iowa Nolf may have the best mat sense of any wrestler the last 20 years
He may be the only wrestler I've watched who could care less if he got taken down he almost enjoyed the challenge Pure wrestler
 

GLC1969

Junior
Jul 3, 2025
102
200
43
I say Iowa should give Brands a lifetime contract. 9 takedowns in 1 dual. 6 by 1 wrestler I think he’s doing great no need to talk about a replacement. With offense like that he could reach 25 takedowns by the NCAAs
 

Gusaford1

Junior
Jul 1, 2025
67
351
53
Nolf has the "it" factor. Not just an unbelievable wrestler. I've never seen him when he wasn't poised and confident. He's got a sharp mind when he speaks about wrestling. He can be extremely funny when he wants to be. He strikes me as someone who has a knack for relating to people. Whatever school lands him as a coach will punch above their weight, in my view.
 

chirho

Sophomore
Oct 6, 2002
45
163
33
Love these conversations. The reality is Brands will not lead Iowa to another national championship. I think everyone can see that. The landscape has changed and Brands has not been able up adapt. A great asset to Iowa wrestling for years, but Beth needs to make the move. Tough move, but that’s what will clarify if she’s a great asset.
 

Wrestleknownothing

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2021
1,484
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Who said they did. PSU has Casey Cunningham in the room so the other assistants are not recruiting or handling the main coaching. Maybe Cael just was closer with Nick Lee. Maybe Nick is a better yes man. I mean by your logic why do we have Morningstar instead of Metcalf? If I had to pick a new head coach it would be Metcalf between them.
If I had to guess it would be that Nick Lee ticked a lot of boxes.

Young - Sanderson and Cunnigham are sneaking up on 50 and have to prepare for the day that the hands on stuff is done by others.
Light - even if Sanderson and Cunningham are still going Lee is better sized to work with the light weights.
Attack-minded - Lee was a high volume shooter in college who always came forward and could attack either side.
Fundamentals - Lee is very technically sound.
Temperment - Not unlike Sanderson's.
 
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Wrestleknownothing

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Both of the them would 100% leave to be Iowas HC. Are you being serious? However, Cunningham would be the guy to target from that staff.

Edit- there's a decent chance he'd say no but that is the line of who we need to target to bring us back to the top
Agreed, Cunnigham would be the one. But that would likely take Taylor money. And even then, maybe not.
 
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Slim45

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
528
1,587
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Love these conversations. The reality is Brands will not lead Iowa to another national championship. I think everyone can see that. The landscape has changed and Brands has not been able up adapt. A great asset to Iowa wrestling for years, but Beth needs to make the move. Tough move, but that’s what will clarify if she’s a great asset.
AKA, not willing to bend the rules. And not having a billionaire funding the program. Hire a new HC, won’t matter without a massive donor and a compliance department willing to look the other way
 

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
873
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Agreed, Cunnigham would be the one. But that would likely take Taylor money. And even then, maybe not.
I think that ship has sailed. 5-10 years ago maybe but I don't see him leaving now. I'd be willing to bet by the time all his income streams are combined he makes more than all but a handful of D1 coaches. PSU knows how critical he is to their program's success.
 

hawknut

All-Conference
Jan 12, 2003
624
1,226
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Stop pretending we haven’t seen the same nonsense for years. It’s like Groundhog Day. Same issues over and over. No changes with your staff or approach and no surprise, nothing changes with the results. Funny how that works.
I saw and called out the lack of effort recruiting, less development, poor match planning, lack of preparation, and increased injuries compared to the other top programs several years ago and always got shouted down for it. Fortunately people are finally coming around. Brands are like Fran—pretty good coaches who lack the ability to truly identify and shore up their weaknesses. And just like Fran, pretty good coaches who need to go.

Paying 300-500k a year each for transfers to keep us relevant only to underperform at nationals or get hurt is not a good long term plan.
 

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
873
2,163
93
And thats exactly why iowa is where it is. Anyone who wants to pass over Nolf for any reason probably should go back and watch some tape on how he wrestled. I'd take Nolf over DT any day of the week and would be heart broken if he ended up at iowa Nolf may have the best mat sense of any wrestler the last 20 years
Disagree, we need to be aiming higher. The highest level young guys want more. They're thinking about Olympic medals and world titles, not just ncaa championships. I loved Nolfs style and he seems like a good dude but there's a handful of guys like him in nearly every collegiate cycle. Make Dake or Burroughs say no first.
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
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Yes, that is why I was saying the worst case is someone wanting Taylor money.
It would have to be Dake or Burroughs to have a big enough name to demand Taylor money. I know Nolf definitely wants to be a head coach and already has the people in mind he wants on his staff. I would imagine it’s Morningstar and Telford😅. I would think by now Morningstar would be a candidate for a smaller D1 program head coaching job. Nolf could sign a contract that guarantees him the head job when Tom retires. Only way he may consider an assistant job. My nightmare is the AD being lazy, and just handing the job to Morningstar when Tom retires.
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
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AKA, not willing to bend the rules. And not having a billionaire funding the program. Hire a new HC, won’t matter without a massive donor and a compliance department willing to look the other way
I saw a video of Bassett meeting Franklin at Vtech recently. Franklin asked him if he was in school there now, and he said no, he just spends a lot of time training there now. I wanted to puke🤮. You put Bassett and Miller along with the 27/28 class and add a few more quality guys to those classes and we would be very competitive with okyst, and even competitive with PSU. I also like daydreaming about winning the lottery, even though it will never happen 😉
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
1,280
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Disagree, we need to be aiming higher. The highest level young guys want more. They're thinking about Olympic medals and world titles, not just ncaa championships. I loved Nolfs style and he seems like a good dude but there's a handful of guys like him in nearly every collegiate cycle. Make Dake or Burroughs say no first.
The only thing Nolf is missing is high levels of freestyle success, with Dake and Burroughs in his way. If he had that, his name would be just as big as Taylor, Dake, Burroughs. In fact, Burroughs really made a name for himself mostly in senior freestyle. Metcalf owned him in college folk style. I think Nolf is a good combination of a big enough name, Pennsylvania kid who was a PSU star, coached by Carl, who is a good communicator for recruiting, and a good technical wrestler who is young enough to roll with the guys. I would be excited if he was our next coach. It would be the first time since before Gable that Iowa wrestling was being led by someone who wasn’t an Iowa native.
 

Corby2

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It would have to be Dake or Burroughs to have a big enough name to demand Taylor money. I know Nolf definitely wants to be a head coach and already has the people in mind he wants on his staff. I would imagine it’s Morningstar and Telford😅. I would think by now Morningstar would be a candidate for a smaller D1 program head coaching job. Nolf could sign a contract that guarantees him the head job when Tom retires. Only way he may consider an assistant job. My nightmare is the AD being lazy, and just handing the job to Morningstar when Tom retires.
He couldve had some in the past but stayed . Not gonna name the jobs but he bleeds back and gold.
 

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
873
2,163
93
The only thing Nolf is missing is high levels of freestyle success
That's a HUGE thing to be missing in today's game. The programs we're competing with for the top of the rankings guys you need to win titles are led by gold medalists/world champions... AND they have RTCs with more of them in the room. I'm not remotely convinced Nolf would be the guy to build that at Iowa.
 
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Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
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He couldve had some in the past but stayed . Not gonna name the jobs but he bleeds back and gold.
I have zero issues with Morningstar being on staff bc he's the driving force behind our recruiting. While its still left plenty to be desired, I cringe to think what it would look like without him.