Our program

Babbahganoosh

Junior
May 4, 2023
67
205
33
It wasn't this bad when Z was fired. Tom needs fired , end of story. What would make the TnT fans admit change needs to happen, consistent 6th place finishes at Nationals? We are being laughed at by the rest of the college wrestling world.
You must not have been around…

Iowa lost to Michigan State, Zalesky’ last two years teams were 9-5 and 11-7.
Just the lack of historical knowledge is glaring.

Coukd things be better, obviously!!!

There is an EXTREME lack of urgency!
The excitement from Kueter and Peterson was perplexing…
 

Laker3588

Junior
Feb 22, 2006
127
261
63
It wasn't this bad when Z was fired. Tom needs fired , end of story. What would make the TnT fans admit change needs to happen, consistent 6th place finishes at Nationals? We are being laughed at by the rest of the college wrestling world.
Wait a second you weren't around it was so bad when Jim was the coach lol they only gave him 7 years they gave Tom 20 to f****** ruin the program
 

TarpHawk1

Senior
Jul 6, 2025
81
899
83
It's not the guys with the flu that make me shake my head in disgust. It's guys like Kueter, a 2x age-group world champ, who does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for 7 minutes. No shots, nada, zip. Then he wins a scramble in OT against a guy not even predicted to AA, and acts like he just scored an upset victory over the Olympic champ. Guess what? That's the way he's going to continue to wrestle, because he apparently thinks he just wrestled a great match. Who is telling him otherwise? That's the coach's job. I'm seeing it with too many guys, up and down the lineup, for too many years. They're not wrestling to be national champs. They're wrestling to be fringe AAs. And they're thrilled when the coin flip goes their way against an R12 guy. And when they lose a coin-flip match to a #15 or 16 (cough, cough, Ayala), they vow to wrestle differently next time. And they don't (cough, cough, Gabe Arnold).

Gable said: "Put on a show. If you're not wrestling to dominate, you're not putting on a show."

Tom is putting on a show, but it's a s*** show.

Get Nolf on the horn.
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
432
1,098
93
Here's the the thing. It wont be Casey Cunningham so who in a sense is the next him or Curt Cignati. Think outside the box. Is there a D2 D3 coach who just gets it. Teaches scrambling turning etc?
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
432
1,098
93
It's not the guys with the flu that make me shake my head in disgust. It's guys like Kueter, a 2x age-group world champ, who does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for 7 minutes. No shots, nada, zip. Then he wins a scramble in OT against a guy not even predicted to AA, and acts like he just scored an upset victory over the Olympic champ. Guess what? That's the way he's going to continue to wrestle, because he apparently thinks he just wrestled a great match. Who is telling him otherwise? That's the coach's job. I'm seeing it with too many guys, up and down the lineup, for too many years. They're not wrestling to be national champs. They're wrestling to be fringe AAs. And they're thrilled when the coin flip goes their way against an R12 guy. And when they lose a coin-flip match to a #15 or 16 (cough, cough, Ayala), they vow to wrestle differently next time. And they don't (cough, cough, Gabe Arnold).

Gable said: "Put on a show. If you're not wrestling to dominate, you're not putting on a show."

Tom is putting on a show, but it's a s*** show.

Get Nolf on the horn.
I agree my friend. So does Lewbo. If you're in West Des Moines ever. Hit me up. I got your room, food and beer. Also we can meet up with Lewbo and Royce
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
432
1,098
93
You know who never gets mentioned….bryan snyder nebby asst!
Idk. We would become Willie's favorite team. I would hear him out though. Nothings off the table. The dynasty can recruit itself if the machine is believed healthy. We need a coach who develops modern wrestling. Back points scrambling 3 at take downs. I mean Snyder walking into a parents home isn't worse than Morningstar because Brands thinks it's beneath him. Then when he does show up to shovel he f's that up

Really anything is better and we have nothing to lose once you are honest abowhere we are at
 

Hawkapottomos Rex

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
697
1,195
93
It wasn't this bad when Z was fired. Tom needs fired , end of story. What would make the TnT fans admit change needs to happen, consistent 6th place finishes at Nationals? We are being laughed at by the rest of the college wrestling world.
You just outed yourself as a young girl because anyone older would remember how bad it was under Jim. No wonder you hate Penn State vans so much since they only like boys.
 
Last edited:

Hawx224

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
299
1,199
93
I’ve waffled a lot on whether a coaching change is warranted, mostly because there’s no clear candidate guaranteed to put Iowa back on top, and that makes me lean towards the status quo. But when you see a dual like this, you really start to question. We’ve been told for how long that the gap is closing, but it sure seems like we’re very far away from the days of Lee, Marinelli, Kemerer, etc. How many matches against PSU this year will even be competitive? And closing the gap has become that much harder with OSU on the rise. It’s one thing to lose to PSU, but Iowa isn’t even in the conversation anymore
 

Laker3588

Junior
Feb 22, 2006
127
261
63
I’ve waffled a lot on whether a coaching change is warranted, mostly because there’s no clear candidate guaranteed to put Iowa back on top, and that makes me lean towards the status quo. But when you see a dual like this, you really start to question. We’ve been told for how long that the gap is closing, but it sure seems like we’re very far away from the days of Lee, Marinelli, Kemerer, etc. How many matches against PSU this year will even be competitive? And closing the gap has become that much harder with OSU on the rise. It’s one thing to lose to PSU, but Iowa isn’t even in the conversation anymore
Think about what you just said we were told we were not far away getting back on top. we had Lee, Kem and Marinelli" LOL... one guy won a national title. Individuals and team underperformed who's to blame
 

ghoopin

All-Conference
Iowa Swarm member
Mar 21, 2002
496
1,794
93
I’ve waffled a lot on whether a coaching change is warranted, mostly because there’s no clear candidate guaranteed to put Iowa back on top, and that makes me lean towards the status quo. But when you see a dual like this, you really start to question. We’ve been told for how long that the gap is closing, but it sure seems like we’re very far away from the days of Lee, Marinelli, Kemerer, etc. How many matches against PSU this year will even be competitive? And closing the gap has become that much harder with OSU on the rise. It’s one thing to lose to PSU, but Iowa isn’t even in the conversation anymore
The gap may be closing for other programs, but it is growing wider in Iowa City.
 

Anon1750875978

Heisman
Dec 26, 2018
5,864
10,097
113
You might lose the 27/28 guys with a new coaching staff, but so what?

This crap in unwatchable.
Doesn't help that Morningstar and Telford are the assts. Neither has cred by virtue on their college careers.

Telford...LOL, Buchanan was elite before he got to IC.
Morningstar as a recruiter...getting them on campus and then no development.
Sickness or not, no excuse against terrible Wisconsin team.
Angelo might be at Nebraska a year from now.
Let Bob take his checkbook and leave with the Twins.
End of rant.
 
Last edited:
Jun 25, 2025
225
414
63
You might lose the 27/28 guys with a new coaching staff, but so what?

This crap in unwatchable.
Doesn't help that Morningstar and Telford are the assts. Neither has cred by virtue on their college careers.

Telford...LOL, Buchanan was elite before he got to IC.
Morningstar as a recruiter...getting them on campus and then no development.
Sickness or not, no excuse against terrible Wisconsin team.

Let Bob take his checkbook and leave with the Twins.
End of rant.
They may lose recruits if they stay
 

MVPFAN

Senior
Mar 10, 2003
3,232
681
113
We were worse when Z was let go but we were also closer to being a contender when he was let go due to the competition not being as dominant then. From my viewpoint Iowa wrestling has become stale, I don't see confidence from most. I don't see swagger and often times it's plain boring. I usually watch on delay so I can skip to the 3rd period.
 

CubHawk1237

Heisman
Iowa Swarm member
Jan 7, 2003
3,824
13,754
113
It's not the guys with the flu that make me shake my head in disgust. It's guys like Kueter, a 2x age-group world champ, who does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for 7 minutes. No shots, nada, zip. Then he wins a scramble in OT against a guy not even predicted to AA, and acts like he just scored an upset victory over the Olympic champ. Guess what? That's the way he's going to continue to wrestle, because he apparently thinks he just wrestled a great match. Who is telling him otherwise? That's the coach's job. I'm seeing it with too many guys, up and down the lineup, for too many years. They're not wrestling to be national champs. They're wrestling to be fringe AAs. And they're thrilled when the coin flip goes their way against an R12 guy. And when they lose a coin-flip match to a #15 or 16 (cough, cough, Ayala), they vow to wrestle differently next time. And they don't (cough, cough, Gabe Arnold).

Gable said: "Put on a show. If you're not wrestling to dominate, you're not putting on a show."

Tom is putting on a show, but it's a s*** show.

Get Nolf on the horn.
It is getting to the point where watching paint dry is more entertaining than a Kueter match.
 

Nashville_Hawk

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2015
633
1,644
93
We were worse when Z was let go but we were also closer to being a contender when he was let go due to the competition not being as dominant then. From my viewpoint Iowa wrestling has become stale, I don't see confidence from most. I don't see swagger and often times it's plain boring. I usually watch on delay so I can skip to the 3rd period.
Sadly I did the same myself (fast forwarded to the third) when I got home from an away HS BB game (goddaughter cheers). I had all the confidence in the world in Mikey, PK, and AF so I watched those matches in their entirety but the rest were fast forwarded. Allegedly we didn't wrestle our starters at the Soldier Salute because 5 days later we were facing 30th ranked Wisconsin. That worked out well (NOT). I'm not sure who the Offensive Coordinator is for this Iowa wrestling program (bad attempt at humor), but this program feels a lot like the Hawks' football program when Brian was running the offense. Eventually Brian was replaced and for the first time in years we finally found some offense. I don't think there's a better head coach than Tom Brands available, but I've got to believe there is a coaching package Iowa can pull together that will deliver a much better product than what our current staff is putting on the mat. Last week I completely blew off whoever stated that Iowa could finish as low as 6th come NCAAs, but after watching BK and Drake put on another lackluster performance tonight I don't think 6th is so far off, especially if Jax goes for Okie State. OK, done venting. More than anything I'm just pissed at the poor showing again tonight. That sucked!!
 

Anon1751917054

Sophomore
Jul 7, 2025
69
164
33
TB refuses to see what everyone else sees. He not only likes his team, he likes his staff-- Why not try and mix up who is on staff?

This program is on the decline despite a new world-class facility. We dont get enough matches, we get sick more than other teams, we get injured, often more seriously than other teams, our strength program is not helping us at all, and maybe for the first time in a long time, other teams are in better shape.
 

Tiltman

Senior
Sep 14, 2012
132
722
93
I remember the days when I couldn’t miss an event. I would do everything in my power to go to it including nationals. Then the product we put on the mat became more and more boring to watch. We couldn’t ride, couldn’t turn, couldn’t pin; same boring *** ride from every wrestler on top. We can’t scramble, we can’t finish shots, always hurt, we need rest, our wrestlers don’t get any better in the 4 years they’re in our room and are getting passed by wrestlers they beat early in their career; this **** the Brands are putting out is dogshit. I slowly stopped caring if I made an event I would watch it at home; now I don’t even watch from home. The product is unwatchable at this point and I’d much rather spend my nights coyote hunting now. Don’t be fooled by the small group of guys on here that our in favor of keeping the Brands and telling you there’s no one better, they’re the minority on this subject nowadays.
 

IRON HAWK

Senior
Nov 6, 2025
386
543
93
I guess it is time to spend some MORE time on this entire fiasco!!?!?!?

I think you start with IOWA itself as being a 100% UNQUIE place when it comes to Wrestling!!! I would say like many that GABLE got me interested with EVERYTHING he brought to the program. HISTORY, what is SUPPOSE to be our wrestling style, and the UNREAL fact that you can get 15K fans to pack CARVER has made/kept me a fan.

As an "outside" i am AMZAZED at the wrestling support and as I have said, I envy it!!! The fan base ALONE should be MORE then enough to FULLY support the program!!! It is one of the first things I point to as WTF is going on " behind the doors" over there. Where is the HUMAN RESOUCES program?

I mean you have a UNIVERISTY to work with. You have 1000's of people, facilities, tons of money being spent etc.... Who is NETWORKING to bring in money? For example what happened with the UFC??? We heard an announcement of some partnership and.......????? WHAT???? I mean I can think of MANY things I would be doing IF I can use the UFC brand!!! T-shirts, promotions, events.........

I bring up the women's team and it seems most don't get it???? IOWA has the #1 girls team and????? You might thing there would be a bunch of ways to make that work for IOWA WRESTLING!!!! Have the ladies wrestle 1st and give ALL fans who come early to watch FREE -parking, FREE Carver cone, FREE Wrestling clinic with Spencer Lee...... etc.... REACH out to the 1000s of WOMEN CEO, business owners, millionaires and get some on board to support the team and the LADIES representing the USA!!!!

This is SIMPLE shEEEtttttt my friends. Ladies shoe maker XYZ on a IOWA wrestling T-shirt. Signs all over the place and use this code for 10% off when you buy....... Get a FREE TICKET to IOWA Wrestling when you spend $100........

The darn NEW facility, HOW is it helping?????? What did they build that says HOLY COW DUDE!!!!! I mean the room looks like an aircraft hanger!!!! Do they hold camps in there? Do they run clinics? Could Spencer Lee and others use the place to bring in 1-1 training, small groups etc...??? I know for example the skool next town over from me built a "fitness center" that is OTHER WORLD!!! They raised money in part by making it OPEN to the community for FREE during certain hours!!!!

I have NEVER even thought that ANYTHING like this would be possible!!!! Using a PUPLIC skool facility as a "town gym" still has me amazed!!! Just think what IOWA U could have done with what was it 11 MILLION?!?!?!? For example, there is this "most expensive" gym in the world in NYC. It is $10K a MONTH!!! They basically offer to wipe your *** for you, but they is some STATE of the ART SHeeeeetttt in the place. Does our NEW facility have ANYTHING like that????

I mean you built the place and it is B1G, it is cool I guess, but where is that OVER the TOP WOW factor??? Where is " when a recruits sees this!!!" they wont have the resources ANYWHERE ELSE!!! IOWA will be offering the best EQUIPMENT, the best PRE-HAB, REHAB, etc....

I am LOST as to what is going on!!!
 
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WEH8ST8HAWK

Senior
Jan 31, 2004
4,532
548
113
You just outed yourself as a young girl because anyone older would remember how bad it was under Jim. No wonder you hate Penn State vans so much since they only like boys.
You're a fuc&tard. This team looks like Zalesky's teams. Guys regressing, no fire, nothing. Keuter, a 2 time age group WORLD CHAMP looks horrible. Ayala a 2 time returning finalist hasn't learned anything in what 4 years. If you were a mediocre wrestler when you hit our room you will leave a mediocre wrestler because our staff is obviously teaching them nothing.
 

WhiteDog125

Senior
Dec 13, 2023
246
572
93
You're a fuc&tard. This team looks like Zalesky's teams. Guys regressing, no fire, nothing. Keuter, a 2 time age group WORLD CHAMP looks horrible. Ayala a 2 time returning finalist hasn't learned anything in what 4 years. If you were a mediocre wrestler when you hit our room you will leave a mediocre wrestler because our staff is obviously teaching them nothing.
Nope people still can’t help it including the big $ guys obviously defend this nightmare of the last 15 years. Tom has destroyed Iowa. Period.
 

grasshawk40

Senior
Iowa Swarm member
Dec 16, 2022
420
937
93
When the brands leave.. so does the money. Hopefully the next coach has some big money friends. Iowa wrestling doesn’t have a clear path forward. Wrestle town USA population isn’t getting any younger.
 
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Anon1751917054

Sophomore
Jul 7, 2025
69
164
33
"When the brands leave.. so does the money. Hopefully the next coach has some big money friends. Iowa wrestling doesn’t have a clear path forward. Wrestle town USA population isn’t getting any younger."

How's the money helping us now ? Are we closing the gap? Dominating,punishing our opponents,high scoring, PINNING?

No one thought OK St had a clear path forward.
 

Timmyd6

Freshman
Dec 20, 2022
21
78
13
The next coach doesn't have to be a big name. You get the right mind. Recruits follow the belief

Here's the the thing. It wont be Casey Cunningham so who in a sense is the next him or Curt Cignati. Think outside the box. Is there a D2 D3 coach who just gets it. Teaches scrambling turning etc?
Or you get the head coach at va tech or nc state and have him bring in some studs with him and try and keep a couple of guys that are already at iowa.
 
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Hawx224

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
299
1,199
93
Or you get the head coach at va tech or nc state and have him bring in some studs with him and try and keep a couple of guys that are already at iowa.
If the goal is to catch up with PSU and OSU I don’t think that moves the needle enough
 
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WhiteDog125

Senior
Dec 13, 2023
246
572
93
"When the brands leave.. so does the money. Hopefully the next coach has some big money friends. Iowa wrestling doesn’t have a clear path forward. Wrestle town USA population isn’t getting any younger."

How's the money helping us now ? Are we closing the gap? Dominating,punishing our opponents,high scoring, PINNING?

No one thought OK St had a clear path forward.
Yeah no kidding how many people questioned ok state move last spring. That seems to be going well. Lol. Stop apologizing for tom. He is horrible.
 
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