For all the complainers

Evashevsky58

Junior
Mar 10, 2008
99
327
52
Our program is not worse than any other team not named Penn State. In fact we have been better.

Since 2007 (Tom‘s first season at Iowa) these are the average team finish at nationals for the top programs. Second number is average minus the lowest scoring season for each team:

Iowa: 3.05/2.78. (Only team not to have a finish below 8th)
PSU: 3.16/2.39
ISU: 16.16/13.89
tOSU: 6.16/4.89
Okie St: 6.53/5.89
Nebraska: 9.11/8.44
Cornell: 5.21/4.83
Minnesota: 8.63/7.89
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
597
1,872
93
Our program is not worse than any other team not named Penn State. In fact we have been better.

Since 2007 (Tom‘s first season at Iowa) these are the average team finish at nationals for the top programs. Second number is average minus the lowest scoring season for each team:

Iowa: 3.05/2.78. (Only team not to have a finish below 8th)
PSU: 3.16/2.39
ISU: 16.16/13.89
tOSU: 6.16/4.89
Okie St: 6.53/5.89
Nebraska: 9.11/8.44
Cornell: 5.21/4.83
Minnesota: 8.63/7.89

lol we have finished 4th more often than 2nd.
 

Gusaford1

Junior
Jul 1, 2025
69
358
53
The years 2008 to 2010 are doing a lot of work in this analysis.

The truth is that in any given year, there are really only four teams that have a realistic chance of finishing first at nationals: PSU, tOSU, OSU, and Iowa.

Sure, over the past twenty years a handful of other teams have sneaked into the top four. And a few have even finished second: Cornell, Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska (which last year finished second 60 points behind PSU).

But for the most part, during the Brands' era at Iowa, it's been the big four that have had the resources to put together lineups with the type of talent and depth that could make a serious run at finishing first in the team race.

Finishing fourth is a great year if you're a college BB or FB team. Not so much in wrestling if you're Iowa with its considerable resource advantage against almost all of the other schools it competes against.
 

_Mjolnir_

Sophomore
Aug 23, 2025
80
157
33
The past 10 years have been rough. We saw a very breif comeback and then its been a steady fall. The next 3-5 years look worse now than they did 3 and 5 years ago. At this point it's nearly impossible to find a positive path forward for the program under Tom and Terry. Where is Iowa gaining ground right now? It's not just PSU Iowa is trying to catch now.

It's hard to find team positives this year. Next year could be an absolute nightmare.

The '17 - '19 stretch was really bad. Right now the '23 - '26 stretch is mirroring that. In '19 though we had a lot of promise working with a likely PSU rebuild. Standing here in '26 things don't look promising into the future like '19.
 
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WhiteDog125

Senior
Dec 13, 2023
246
571
93
Are we seriously still saying we’re the 2nd best? Yada yada gable is gone as the PSU train goes by?! How many 3rd-5th place finishes does it take? How many guys does tnt ruin does it take? I can’t stress it enough.. Jimmy Z (who is one of if not the greatest hawk ever) was exit by I-80 see ya later. Why do we apologize for the brands??? HWC?? Joke.
 

WEH8ST8HAWK

Senior
Jan 31, 2004
4,530
535
113
In the last 10 years Iowa has 1 Championship, 4 2nd - 3rd place finishes, and 5 4th - 5th finishes. FIVE finishes outside the top 3. I can't believe so many Iowa fans right now with the current state of the program.
The Tom apologists will still be singing his praises in 5 years when we are looking up to Okie State and Ohio State along with Penn State. They will still be saying how great M* and Big Bob are. They will still be saying great things about Dennis and Terry. The time for change has been here for 5 years minimum. Spencer, Metcalf, Kemerer, Ramos, Clark should all be assistants over who we have.
 

Evashevsky58

Junior
Mar 10, 2008
99
327
52
TOSU the last 5 years: 9, 13, 4, 8, 5.
Okie state: 3, 14, 18, 10, 3
psu: 2, 1, 1, 1, 1

I'm not saying nothing needs to change. Just that minus PSU things are much more equal. But I agree the future trend is concerning, especially with Okie state on the rise and our lack of recruiting and wise portal pick ups.
 
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IRON HAWK

Senior
Nov 6, 2025
384
542
93
The OP posted the FACTS that I would hope everyone knows. IOWA has been the 2nd best team to F*** st over the POS gr8 krailures era. The REAL problem(s) are-

1) that is NOT good enough/ NOT want us fans want!!!
2) there is no signs/ sense of urgency that IOWA/TnT have made, that would currently lead you to believe we can overtake them!!!
3) TWOOOO many "small" things seem to get away from us!!! Such as losing TOP recruits.
4) I/we have seen the NEW facility, the NEW girls team, the NEW UFC contract, but NOTHING NEW!!!

The HAWKS have a darn nice crew of recruits coming in. Would like to see us picking off a few F*** st transfers to fill spots along with others and maybe we get over the HUMP(aka krailure)!?!?!?
 

Evashevsky58

Junior
Mar 10, 2008
99
327
52
The OP posted the FACTS that I would hope everyone knows. IOWA has been the 2nd best team to F*** st over the POS gr8 krailures era. The REAL problem(s) are-

1) that is NOT good enough/ NOT want us fans want!!!
2) there is no signs/ sense of urgency that IOWA/TnT have made, that would currently lead you to believe we can overtake them!!!
3) TWOOOO many "small" things seem to get away from us!!! Such as losing TOP recruits.
4) I/we have seen the NEW facility, the NEW girls team, the NEW UFC contract, but NOTHING NEW!!!

The HAWKS have a darn nice crew of recruits coming in. Would like to see us picking off a few F*** st transfers to fill spots along with others and maybe we get over the HUMP(aka krailure)!?!?!?
This👆🏻
Also, we need to revamp the HWC, I think that might be the single most important piece of the puzzle right now.
 

Hogghawk

Sophomore
Jun 5, 2025
45
155
33
Are we seriously still saying we’re the 2nd best? Yada yada gable is gone as the PSU train goes by?! How many 3rd-5th place finishes does it take? How many guys does tnt ruin does it take? I can’t stress it enough.. Jimmy Z (who is one of if not the greatest hawk ever) was exit by I-80 see ya later. Why do we apologize for the brands??? HWC?? Joke.

jimmy z couldn’t do it before Carl even was a thought. How bad would he f - - - things up today. Guy was horrible. It’s all about the money that Carl was dealt to him when they handed him the keys. Recruiting was handed the bank bag and it snowballed from there. Every program not named Penn state is in the same boat today, however I do think Taylor has the money behind him now to give it a run. It’s a big money game and Penn state got a head start prior to the nil with lots of promises.
 

bnicolls

Senior
Jun 4, 2005
124
930
93
jimmy z couldn’t do it before Carl even was a thought. How bad would he f - - - things up today. Guy was horrible. It’s all about the money that Carl was dealt to him when they handed him the keys. Recruiting was handed the bank bag and it snowballed from there. Every program not named Penn state is in the same boat today, however I do think Taylor has the money behind him now to give it a run. It’s a big money game and Penn state got a head start prior to the nil with lots of promises.
Right and they juice too. Others following suit. NCAA needs to wake up and test
 

TherealGrip220

All-Conference
Oct 14, 2025
423
1,289
93
This👆🏻
Also, we need to revamp the HWC, I think that might be the single most important piece of the puzzle right now. a high caliber guy or two could add the bang we need to get things moving forward.
if the HWC was to add one or two high caliber names to our program it could be the bang we need to get things moving forward. Im not sure who would come in, it has to be a big move that sparks the fire. I like Dennis but we need something and this maybe the way to go, now WHO???
 
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bnicolls

Senior
Jun 4, 2005
124
930
93
if the HWC was to add one or two high caliber names to our program it could be the bang we need to get things moving forward. Im not sure who would come in, it has to be a big move that sparks the fire. I like Dennis but we need something and this maybe the way to go, now WHO???
We have a good core now at HWC. Very likely that all of Ayala, Caliendo, and Kennedy stick around. The club is underrated. We have several current competitors, but there are guys in the club who come around and help coach. Some full time and some part time. Sorenson is a great coach and training partner. Marinelli too. I was watching Brooks recently coach Estrada on leg attacks while drilling with the Japanese wrestler (sorry forgot his name, who himself is great at leg attacks). So make a list yourself of HWC athletes who work with the college guys and it's impressive. Consider too that Steve Mocco will likely be around a fair amount once his son joins next fall.
 

Laker3588

Junior
Feb 22, 2006
127
261
63
We have a good core now at HWC. Very likely that all of Ayala, Caliendo, and Kennedy stick around. The club is underrated. We have several current competitors, but there are guys in the club who come around and help coach. Some full time and some part time. Sorenson is a great coach and training partner. Marinelli too. I was watching Brooks recently coach Estrada on leg attacks while drilling with the Japanese wrestler (sorry forgot his name, who himself is great at leg attacks). So make a list yourself of HWC athletes who work with the college guys and it's impressive. Consider too that Steve Mocco will likely be around a fair amount once his son joins next fall.
Wow
 

Cedarfalls

Junior
Jul 4, 2025
64
239
33
We have a good core now at HWC. Very likely that all of Ayala, Caliendo, and Kennedy stick around. The club is underrated. We have several current competitors, but there are guys in the club who come around and help coach. Some full time and some part time. Sorenson is a great coach and training partner. Marinelli too. I was watching Brooks recently coach Estrada on leg attacks while drilling with the Japanese wrestler (sorry forgot his name, who himself is great at leg attacks). So make a list yourself of HWC athletes who work with the college guys and it's impressive. Consider too that Steve Mocco will likely be around a fair amount once his son joins next fall.
Sorry Bob but this is not a strong RTC. Maybe 5th best in the country. Maybe
 

TherealGrip220

All-Conference
Oct 14, 2025
423
1,289
93
We have a good core now at HWC. Very likely that all of Ayala, Caliendo, and Kennedy stick around. The club is underrated. We have several current competitors, but there are guys in the club who come around and help coach. Some full time and some part time. Sorenson is a great coach and training partner. Marinelli too. I was watching Brooks recently coach Estrada on leg attacks while drilling with the Japanese wrestler (sorry forgot his name, who himself is great at leg attacks). So make a list yourself of HWC athletes who work with the college guys and it's impressive. Consider too that Steve Mocco will likely be around a fair amount once his son joins next fall.
I appreciate the feedback Bob and I know our guys are doing a great job. One of the names I was actually thinking while I was posting was Mocco. He is doing great things down in FL with American top team and having him there regularly could be all thats needed.
If I may make a personal request , I would love to see Michael Kemerer back in Iowa city if at all possible. He was one of the best technicians to come through Iowa in many years. Thanks for all you do Bob, Go Hawks!
 

WDMHawk72

Junior
Aug 14, 2016
99
258
53
Our program is not worse than any other team not named Penn State. In fact we have been better.

Since 2007 (Tom‘s first season at Iowa) these are the average team finish at nationals for the top programs. Second number is average minus the lowest scoring season for each team:

Iowa: 3.05/2.78. (Only team not to have a finish below 8th)
PSU: 3.16/2.39
ISU: 16.16/13.89
tOSU: 6.16/4.89
Okie St: 6.53/5.89
Nebraska: 9.11/8.44
Cornell: 5.21/4.83
Minnesota: 8.63/7.89
Bad timing on this post - this board is in hornets nest mode now.
 

el dub

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2005
539
1,386
93
Right and they juice too. Others following suit. NCAA needs to wake up and test
Hey, Bob… Thanks for coming around giving your perspective on the state of affairs.

Id like to know more about the current NIL situation. Im under the impression that the days of being able to offer recruits/transfers large sums of money are over. Would you be so kind as to help us understand the current rules and best practices? Thanks in advance.
 

giveitall

Junior
Feb 12, 2023
167
351
63
Hey, Bob… Thanks for coming around giving your perspective on the state of affairs.

Id like to know more about the current NIL situation. Im under the impression that the days of being able to offer recruits/transfers large sums of money are over. Would you be so kind as to help us understand the current rules and best practices? Thanks in advance.
What does this post have to do with complaining?
 

Tiltman

Senior
Sep 14, 2012
128
706
93
We have a good core now at HWC. Very likely that all of Ayala, Caliendo, and Kennedy stick around. The club is underrated. We have several current competitors, but there are guys in the club who come around and help coach. Some full time and some part time. Sorenson is a great coach and training partner. Marinelli too. I was watching Brooks recently coach Estrada on leg attacks while drilling with the Japanese wrestler (sorry forgot his name, who himself is great at leg attacks). So make a list yourself of HWC athletes who work with the college guys and it's impressive. Consider too that Steve Mocco will likely be around a fair amount once his son joins next fall.
Good core???? Name one of those guys who will or have made a senior level team? The club isn’t underrated at all. We have one guy on the entire roster that can make world teams. That’s not underrated; it’s sad. I love all the guys you mentioned plus guys like Desanto but we need guys that make the team and put on a good showing for the HWC brand.
 

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
874
2,165
93
We have a good core now at HWC. Very likely that all of Ayala, Caliendo, and Kennedy stick around. The club is underrated. We have several current competitors, but there are guys in the club who come around and help coach. Some full time and some part time. Sorenson is a great coach and training partner. Marinelli too. I was watching Brooks recently coach Estrada on leg attacks while drilling with the Japanese wrestler (sorry forgot his name, who himself is great at leg attacks). So make a list yourself of HWC athletes who work with the college guys and it's impressive. Consider too that Steve Mocco will likely be around a fair amount once his son joins next fall.
While this is certainly a take seen through black and gold colored glasses we shouldn't be too critical of Bob... just think where the program would be without him. His support has been huge in keeping us in the conversation at least.