Coaching Staff Next Year

vhsalum

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Shapiro's issues are not related to mental toughness. He's had a ton of serious head injuries that led to the current issues (I won't get into) that led to his MMFing out. The guy was in a coma (that is not BS) a few weeks before he wrestled last year's tourney and he lost a bunch of weight. The kid is an absolute stud and bad luck and health have held him back.
It is 100% mental toughness and lifestyle decision making.

That young man has some reality to face.
 

cwobrien11

Heisman
Apr 22, 2009
19,895
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Agree with you on the "rolling around the room and competing are drastically different", but my point was that in the near future having surgery and the associated PT/recovery time before he is even able to roll around the room could be considerable. That is valuable time lost with a coach for current wrestlers working to get better.
Just my take but I think you are way overselling the value of having a coach roll around in the room and way underselling the value of having someone like Yianni on the staff even if he can't ever roll around in the room again. A guy like Yianni is going to give a 4-6 year bump in recruiting (HS and transfer). He's also going to have training and tactical ideas that are different than anyone currently in the room which changes the perspective on things which is needed.

Iowa isn't lagging behind other programs because the coaches in the room don't know how to teach and coach the guys in the room. Anyone that says otherwise is telling themselves a story. TNT still know how to coach. Iowa is lagging behind because they aren't keeping up on the recruiting trail and they operate like wrestling hasn't evolved since the 1980's and 1990's. The crop of wrestlers coming up today are so much more technical than guys coming up even 10-15 years ago let alone 20-30 years ago. Getting someone outside the system with some name recognition changes the entire dynamic.
 

Stick Kitty

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Just my take but I think you are way overselling the value of having a coach roll around in the room and way underselling the value of having someone like Yianni on the staff even if he can't ever roll around in the room again. A guy like Yianni is going to give a 4-6 year bump in recruiting (HS and transfer). He's also going to have training and tactical ideas that are different than anyone currently in the room which changes the perspective on things which is needed.

Iowa isn't lagging behind other programs because the coaches in the room don't know how to teach and coach the guys in the room. Anyone that says otherwise is telling themselves a story. TNT still know how to coach. Iowa is lagging behind because they aren't keeping up on the recruiting trail and they operate like wrestling hasn't evolved since the 1980's and 1990's. The crop of wrestlers coming up today are so much more technical than guys coming up even 10-15 years ago let alone 20-30 years ago. Getting someone outside the system with some name recognition changes the entire dynamic.

Absolutely great post and spot on. But TNT wont let that change come to them. Control freaks.

We don't do it that way here!
 

T8KUDWN

Junior
May 2, 2025
104
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I dunno.... Bong hits worked out for Lance Bennick
That's a name I haven't heard in years.
Never lived up to the expectations coming out of high school.
Did he end up finishing his career at Augsburg?
I didn't realize he was into the hippy lettuce.
 

Jackhawk8791

Sophomore
Jun 30, 2025
82
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One has to wonder if the success and excitement around the basketball team with a new coach in McCollum might affect Beth’s decision to hang on to TnT long term.

Fran was not a terrible coach. He had a fair amount of success with Iowa and he has the most wins in Iowa basketball history. Fan apathy and lack of NCAA tournament success was an issue - maybe even the fiery temperament Fran had may have been an issue.

There are a fair number of similarities with the wrestling team. The difficult decision to fire Fran and hire McCollum turned out to be a fantastic one for Beth. Does this affect Beth’s decision with the Brands?
 
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TheREALSpooner

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Dec 16, 2022
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One has to wonder if the success and excitement around the basketball team with a new coach in McCollum might affect Beth’s decision to hang on to TnT long term.

Fran was not a terrible coach. He had a fair amount of success with Iowa and he has the most wins in Iowa basketball history. Fan apathy and lack of NCAA tournament success was an issue - maybe even the fiery temperament Fran had may have been an issue.

There are a fair number of similarities with the wrestling team. The difficult decision to fire Fran and hire McCollum turned out to be a fantastic one for Beth. Does this affect Beth’s decision with the Brands?

You might be right.

Beth doesn’t cling to slanted stats like “most wins.”

Fran won 4 NCAA tourney games at Iowa.

Ben has won 3 in the past week.

Fran is the classic “high floor, low ceiling” coach. That doesn’t make him a bad one. Maybe that’s Brands at this point.
 

Mattski

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Apr 21, 2022
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One has to wonder if the success and excitement around the basketball team with a new coach in McCollum might affect Beth’s decision to hang on to TnT long term.

Fran was not a terrible coach. He had a fair amount of success with Iowa and he has the most wins in Iowa basketball history. Fan apathy and lack of NCAA tournament success was an issue - maybe even the fiery temperament Fran had may have been an issue.

There are a fair number of similarities with the wrestling team. The difficult decision to fire Fran and hire McCollum turned out to be a fantastic one for Beth. Does this affect Beth’s decision with the Brands?
To me the it all comes down to one or two questions, does she have championship expectations or not? If so, does she think the staff has the plan and ability to get there again?
 
Jan 21, 2012
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To me the it all comes down to one or two questions, does she have championship expectations or not? If so, does she think the staff has the plan and ability to get there again?
I am guessing if there was a clear heir or alternative to TnT, Beth would consider it. However, no one has yet to come up with a name that fits that criteria. DT was the big fish and there is not another one around at this point in time. Also, remember, when it came to DT - it was a donor that made it happen. If a big donor steps up, anything can happen.
With that being said, I still think that TnT are a great asset to the lives of the kids who go thru their program and that is a big deal also. You do not replace a duo that is finishing in the top 5 year after year. You add to the staff and that is much more likely to happen than getting rid of TnT.
 

Mattski

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I am guessing if there was a clear heir or alternative to TnT, Beth would consider it. However, no one has yet to come up with a name that fits that criteria. DT was the big fish and there is not another one around at this point in time. Also, remember, when it came to DT - it was a donor that made it happen. If a big donor steps up, anything can happen.
With that being said, I still think that TnT are a great asset to the lives of the kids who go thru their program and that is a big deal also. You do not replace a duo that is finishing in the top 5 year after year. You add to the staff and that is much more likely to happen than getting rid of TnT.
DT wasn't a clear option until okst went and made it happen. There are names that have been thrown out that just might be able to do what DT is right now if given the chance and if they can bring the right staff. I simply believe TnT are what they are at this point... solid but not elite coaches on the wrong side of 50, while also not being strong recruiters or willing to adapt stylistically. I truly don't see them ever competing for another ncaa championship at this point.
I do appreciate they've been great leaders to the young men that have come through the program... unfortunately that seems to completely blow up if the former wrestler dares take a job in wrestling elsewhere.
 

TheREALSpooner

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Dec 16, 2022
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I am guessing if there was a clear heir or alternative to TnT, Beth would consider it. However, no one has yet to come up with a name that fits that criteria. DT was the big fish and there is not another one around at this point in time. Also, remember, when it came to DT - it was a donor that made it happen. If a big donor steps up, anything can happen.
With that being said, I still think that TnT are a great asset to the lives of the kids who go thru their program and that is a big deal also. You do not replace a duo that is finishing in the top 5 year after year. You add to the staff and that is much more likely to happen than getting rid of TnT.

I love the “no one yet has come up with a name that fits the criteria” part best. As if the AD is using this board to evaluate potential replacements. 😂

Iowa wrestling: We are Top 5. What a great slogan.

How about this one:

Iowa wrestling…after the elite programs that we are no where close to…We Are (Almost) The Best of the Rest.

A little wordy, I guess.

The message to elite high school recruits: Come to Iowa. After 6 years we can get you as high as 3rd.
 

AFHawk86

Senior
May 2, 2025
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I love the “no one yet has come up with a name that fits the criteria” part best. As if the AD is using this board to evaluate potential replacements. 😂

Iowa wrestling: We are Top 5. What a great slogan.

How about this one:

Iowa wrestling…after the elite programs that we are no where close to…We Are (Almost) The Best of the Rest.

A little wordy, I guess.

The message to elite high school recruits: Come to Iowa. After 6 years we can get you as high as 3rd.
How about just “best of the rest”?
 

LIV4GOD

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2001
487
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You do not replace a duo that is finishing in the top 5 year after year. You add to the staff and that is much more likely to happen than getting rid of TnT.
I heartily disagree. You talk as if top 5 is some great place to be for Iowa. Do you realize how few programs there are? Being top 5 in wrestling is NOTHING like being top 5 in football or basketball. We are not barely losing, or in contention. We're not even competitive any more for a title, but are getting our butts kicked at nationals by PSU and now Okie State.
 

Bones Malone

Freshman
Jan 21, 2019
25
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Good gig for Bobby if so…Best of luck to him. No doubt he’ll do well with whatever his future holds.

If memory serves, I was thinking Jay Borshel worked in sales for Stryker. Been quite a few years ago tho.
 
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Jul 7, 2025
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Here is a question I have--it's no secret Telford is leaving, and this has likely been in the works for a bit.

So if you're Tom, you have a list of potential coaches or athletes you want to contact in person or by phone. In this day and age, how do you keep it a secret? Say #1 and #2 decline for whatever reason. How do you keep them from telling 3-4 friends?? Seems like it would leak quickly that Iowa is looking for a coach? The only way I could think of is some misdirection on the new hire, put some false rumors out.

What do you guys/gals think?
 

TheREALSpooner

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Here is a question I have--it's no secret Telford is leaving, and this has likely been in the works for a bit.

So if you're Tom, you have a list of potential coaches or athletes you want to contact in person or by phone. In this day and age, how do you keep it a secret? Say #1 and #2 decline for whatever reason. How do you keep them from telling 3-4 friends?? Seems like it would leak quickly that Iowa is looking for a coach? The only way I could think of is some misdirection on the new hire, put some false rumors out.

What do you guys/gals think?

Here’s what I think…

If it’s no secret you have a coaching position open, what exactly are you trying to keep a secret? And why?
 
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" it’s no secret you have a coaching position open. What exactly are you trying to keep a secret? And why?"

Then why is it not public knowledge? He didn't mention it at the banquet last night. The university also has a strict hiring procedure/posting. Maybe someone is an interim coach or not even named until that process takes place.
 
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Trakker

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" it’s no secret you have a coaching position open. What exactly are you trying to keep a secret? And why?"

Then why is it not public knowledge? He didn't mention it at the banquet last night. The university also has a strict hiring procedure/posting. Maybe someone is an interim coach or not even named until that process takes place.
I consider myself part of the general public and i am aware of it.
 

TheREALSpooner

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" it’s no secret you have a coaching position open. What exactly are you trying to keep a secret? And why?"

Then why is it not public knowledge? He didn't mention it at the banquet last night. The university also has a strict hiring procedure/posting. Maybe someone is an interim coach or not even named until that process takes place.

Did you not read your own post? You said it isn’t a secret and then strategized on how to keep something a secret that isn’t a secret. And then said it would leak quickly, which it already has. 😀

The university’s policy hiring process is only restrictive when it is able to be. Tom can hire someone at literally any time.
 

Libertylover

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I heard Telford resigned and is getting into medical sales with Stryker. He will do great in a sales career. Best of luck to him.
That is a very lucrative job that loves to hire former jocks. He’ll make as much or more than every D1 wrestling head coach other than the top 4-5 coaches.
 
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"I consider myself part of the general public, and I'm aware of it."

Tom knew way before you did. Do you think he waited until the Hawkeye Report rumors were out there, then he breathed a sigh of relief and started contacting coaches/athletes to gauge interest?
 

TheREALSpooner

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"I consider myself part of the general public, and I'm aware of it."

Tom knew way before you did. Do you think he waited until the Hawkeye Report rumors were out there, then he breathed a sigh of relief and started contacting coaches/athletes to gauge interest?

Keep digging.


When will the Bob Telford out, Eric Thompson in, announcement be made?

I feel like Eric would be a welcome addition. M2, NLWC, ASU…from Waverly.
 

WEH8ST8HAWK

Senior
Jan 31, 2004
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That's about as exciting as the wrestling room windows.
I disagree. Thompson has been in a lot of different rooms, and is a great guy and wrestler. He has stops at M2, NLWC and ASU recently with a year at Iowa State and 3 years at Grand View under Nick Mitchell who is an outstanding coach. He will be a great bigs coach.
 

el dub

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2005
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He must like some of the stuff they post on IG. Wild guess.
Finger You Are So Smart GIF
 
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