Coaching Staff Next Year

MSU158

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2014
1,199
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It sucked big time. I consider Iowa the champs in my mind as they were almost certainly going to win it. I don't even mind the individuals being gifted AA status. I mostly hate it for the several guys who were not highly seeded who would have made AA. Just a bad deal all around. As fans it sucked but way worse for all of the young men who didn't get to wrestle.
If you can’t say what place you took, I just can’t wrap my head around being an AA. Still, my heart truly bled for the seniors like Lugo, Pletcher or Moore that all had great chances to win their only title and basically came away with nothing.

The craziest thing is PSU seemed to actually benefit from it in some ways where it smashed Iowa the most BY FAR....
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
941
3,110
93
The Covid year sucked. I don’t really use that since it was solely based on seeding. Even though Iowa was clearly the best team that year, you can’t call them the National Champs. So, I have just as hard of a time calling them All Americans for that year…

Meh. Up until not long ago, there were only mythical national champs in the most popular NCAA sport of football. We can call Iowa 2020 NCAA wrestling champs and feel fairly good about it. (I 100% get what you're saying.)


the names being thrown out

I think Willie made the best point. Tom has two years left and they were not going to get anyone for a 4th coach for only 2 years.

Yeah. No one who wants to coach wrestling is interested in a ~$100K job at a high-profile program for a couple of years.
 
Dec 25, 2007
45
70
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Meh. Up until not long ago, there were only mythical national champs in the most popular NCAA sport of football. We can call Iowa 2020 NCAA wrestling champs and feel fairly good about it. (I 100% get what you're saying.)




Yeah. No one who wants to coach wrestling is interested in a ~$100K job at a high-profile program for a couple of years.
100K? You are just making up that number. I know you seem to know everything but it isn't 100k a year job. Go ahead and argue though because i know you cant help it.
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
941
3,110
93
100K? You are just making up that number. I know you seem to know everything but it isn't 100k a year job. Go ahead and argue though because i know you cant help it.

I've had people tell me, and seen it posted, that half or more of BT's salary came from the HWC. That puts him right there.

It might be bad info, and I'm OK with that. Regardless, it's a fairly safe bet it pays more than a majority of D1 assistant jobs. Doesn't really change the point.
 

Trapper85

Senior
Jun 22, 2020
188
661
93
Tnt were offensive juggernauts but the product they coach on the mat is the exact opposite. Jwar wrestled tight and close every match so maybe his coaching will translate to offensive production? Or just a yes man and tnt are getting a loyal follower some experience.
The answer to your question is that it 83% depends on whether we can recruit more elite offensive juggernauts. That will determine how TnT and JWar's 'coaching' will translate on the mat. I guess we have 3 more years to see how it plays out.
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
941
3,110
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The answer to your question is that it 83% depends on whether we can recruit more elite offensive juggernauts. That will determine how TnT and JWar's 'coaching' will translate on the mat. I guess we have 3 more years to see how it plays out.

Tom has 3 years left on his contract. That in no way means he will be the coach for the next 3 years.

The frustrations with the Warner hire are almost 100% directed at Tom, not at Warner. If things were hunky dory in the program otherwise, no one would have much of an issue with this.
 

Trapper85

Senior
Jun 22, 2020
188
661
93
Tom has 3 years left on his contract. That in no way means he will be the coach for the next 3 years.

The frustrations with the Warner hire are almost 100% directed at Tom, not at Warner. If things were hunky dory in the program otherwise, no one would have much of an issue with this.
Agree, but barring a complete collapse, my sense/guess now is that Beth will let the contract play out.
 

Gusaford1

Senior
Jul 1, 2025
82
436
53
Tom has 3 years left on his contract. That in no way means he will be the coach for the next 3 years.

The frustrations with the Warner hire are almost 100% directed at Tom, not at Warner. If things were hunky dory in the program otherwise, no one would have much of an issue with this.
100% agree. It was an opportunity to introduce some new thinking and approaches from outside the system and TnT didn't take it. Nothing against Warner but the hiring suggests TnT still think that more of the same is the best way to go.

We're all rooting for Warner to take Ferrari and Kueter to the promised land.
 

WillieTheBrain

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
236
1,477
93
Glad you like JWar. I agree with your assessment of him

What do you think the deficiencies are? I'm not being a dick, just want your opinion. I woulda got it at Nats, but you ditched me again
'deficiencies' perhaps was the wrong word. but 'areas for improvement'
- scoring output
- diversity of techniques
- late season performance/peaking (this seemed to improve this year, and something JWar himself seemed good at)

not trying to be super critical, but rather defending JWar. no single new hire was to come in and solve everything.
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
941
3,110
93
Agree, but barring a complete collapse, my sense/guess now is that Beth will let the contract play out.

Currently 3 straight years (and 4 out of 5) finishing 4th or lower with really no end in sight, and with attendance in a free fall, it would be surprising to me if he was allowed to coach a lame duck year.

If not two years, TBH.
 
Jul 7, 2025
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'deficiencies' perhaps was the wrong word. but 'areas for improvement'
- scoring output
- diversity of techniques
- late season performance/peaking (this seemed to improve this year, and something JWar himself seemed good at)

not trying to be super critical, but rather defending JWar. no single new hire was to come in and solve everything.
You dont think recruiting is a deficiency ? You dont think injuries the last few years are a deficiency?
 
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Trapper85

Senior
Jun 22, 2020
188
661
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Currently 3 straight years (and 4 out of 5) finishing 4th or lower with really no end in sight, and with attendance in a free fall, it would be surprising to me if he was allowed to coach a lame duck year.

If not two years, TBH.
Just playing devil's advocate here, not saying he should get 3 more years regardless. Nobody should be guaranteed that. And yes, I know this is not a completely fair analogy or saying that ceiling/expectation is the same across sports, but fans seem excited about FB and BB. Did either of them finish higher than Tom this year? If revenue from those improves, does it lessen pressure on Beth to try and reduce wrestling losses? TnT seem to have the support of the biggest donors. We at least have an exciting (not sure if elite) recruiting class coming soon, new facility in notable part due to Tom's effort, and so on. Beth also must have been fine with the JWar hire. And is there a clear next Carl/DT right now guaranteed to do better? Just saying that while Beth clearly has some big lady cajones, I also see this as a tough decision for her. Butts in the seats and fan excitement will matter, just not sure how much in this situation given remaining contract length/buyout and at least some fallout that may occur if she boots them. I sure as hell hope something improves fast, but Beth has much more to consider than I.
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
941
3,110
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Just playing devil's advocate here, not saying he should get 3 more years regardless. Nobody should be guaranteed that. And yes, I know this is not a completely fair analogy or saying that ceiling/expectation is the same across sports, but fans seem excited about FB and BB. Did either of them finish higher than Tom this year? If revenue from those improves, does it lessen pressure on Beth to try and reduce wrestling losses? TnT seem to have the support of the biggest donors. We at least have an exciting (not sure if elite) recruiting class coming soon, new facility in notable part due to Tom's effort, and so on. Beth also must have been fine with the JWar hire. And is there a clear next Carl/DT right now guaranteed to do better? Just saying that while Beth clearly has some big lady cajones, I also see this as a tough decision for her. Butts in the seats and fan excitement will matter, just not sure how much in this situation given remaining contract length/buyout and at least some fallout that may occur if she boots them. I sure as hell hope something improves fast, but Beth has much more to consider than I.

I appreciate another perspective, but comparing wrestling to football and basketball is a fool's errand. The national landscape of those sports, and where Iowa fits in nationally in terms of history, tradition, support, resources, etc. are vastly different. Thus, expectations are likewise different.

And I agree with your thoughts and questions beyond that.
 
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Dec 25, 2007
45
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I've had people tell me, and seen it posted, that half or more of BT's salary came from the HWC. That puts him right there.

It might be bad info, and I'm OK with that. Regardless, it's a fairly safe bet it pays more than a majority of D1 assistant jobs. Doesn't really change the point.
I did not think about HWC. You could be right and i would see the frustration with the hire than. I do think Jwar will be great but I also see that it might not be the right hire right now.
 

el dub

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2005
593
1,523
93
Tnt were offensive juggernauts but the product they coach on the mat is the exact opposite. Jwar wrestled tight and close every match so maybe his coaching will translate to offensive production? Or just a yes man and tnt are getting a loyal follower some experience.
This….
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
902
1,561
93
This is a good hire for keeping a cohesive coaching staff where they are all on the same page. I believe this is the wrong page, but those with the power think this is the best for the program at this time. JW isn't going to bring shock and awe but he certainly won't upset the apple cart. Big changes won't happen until Iowa parts ways with Tom Brands. That time will come in the future whether it be after next year or 5 years from now. When it does come Iowa will have options as the Iowa job is one of the best if not the very best job in the country. Brands will keep the program very good until that time comes. There will be no team titles but there also won't be any terrible years imo. 3-6 place would be incredible every year for all but a couple programs.
I assume Morningstar and Terry had their contracts extended to match Tom’s also. We may not win a team title but we need to get more guys to the finals for positive recruiting exposure. That just became much harder now, since PSU and Okyst will probably have the 1 and 2 seeds at almost every weight soon. Finals will end up like a PSU/ Okyst meet that Cael doesn’t want during the season.
 

AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
984
2,009
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The Covid year sucked. I don’t really use that since it was solely based on seeding. Even though Iowa was clearly the best team that year, you can’t call them the National Champs. So, I have just as hard of a time calling them All Americans for that year…
That year provided participation trophy All-American's. I don't acknowledge it either, and I would guess most of the actual Wrestlers don't as well. Not their fault, but that's ultimately how it went.

And of course It screwed the Hawks from back to back Championships to boot, and guys like Lugo, Marinelli & Spencer Lee with a lifetime of "what if's". 😡
 

kingstown

All-Conference
Dec 7, 2025
675
2,074
93
I assume Morningstar and Terry had their contracts extended to match Tom’s also. We may not win a team title but we need to get more guys to the finals for positive recruiting exposure. That just became much harder now, since PSU and Okyst will probably have the 1 and 2 seeds at almost every weight soon. Finals will end up like a PSU/ Okyst meet that Cael doesn’t want during the season.
Cael doesn't want at the Oklahoma dual invite. He would probably be pretty open to a dual in State College.
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
475
1,226
93
I assume Morningstar and Terry had their contracts extended to match Tom’s also. We may not win a team title but we need to get more guys to the finals for positive recruiting exposure. That just became much harder now, since PSU and Okyst will probably have the 1 and 2 seeds at almost every weight soon. Finals will end up like a PSU/ Okyst meet that Cael doesn’t want during the season.

I can't find any information or press release that Terry has been extended past 2026. Maybe that will be released in June? My guess is he and Ryan will be 1 year extensions from here on out.
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
902
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Just playing devil's advocate here, not saying he should get 3 more years regardless. Nobody should be guaranteed that. And yes, I know this is not a completely fair analogy or saying that ceiling/expectation is the same across sports, but fans seem excited about FB and BB. Did either of them finish higher than Tom this year? If revenue from those improves, does it lessen pressure on Beth to try and reduce wrestling losses? TnT seem to have the support of the biggest donors. We at least have an exciting (not sure if elite) recruiting class coming soon, new facility in notable part due to Tom's effort, and so on. Beth also must have been fine with the JWar hire. And is there a clear next Carl/DT right now guaranteed to do better? Just saying that while Beth clearly has some big lady cajones, I also see this as a tough decision for her. Butts in the seats and fan excitement will matter, just not sure how much in this situation given remaining contract length/buyout and at least some fallout that may occur if she boots them. I sure as hell hope something improves fast, but Beth has much more to consider than I.
Speaking of football, I don’t know how Ferentz keeps getting as good of recruits as ever being in his 70’s. I guess much different sports. Football has a ton of coaches, and many recruits talk about how they liked the position coach during recruiting, not Ferentz.
 

rohmb07

Redshirt
Apr 9, 2026
1
0
1
With the concerns related to scrambling ability / diversity of techniques and the mentions of Yianni, I wonder if Eierman was ever a coaching candidate.

I also wonder to what degree scrambling is coached vs recruited.
 
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Kohawks99

Sophomore
Jan 3, 2023
53
149
33
Speaking of football, I don’t know how Ferentz keeps getting as good of recruits as ever being in his 70’s. I guess much different sports. Football has a ton of coaches, and many recruits talk about how they liked the position coach during recruiting, not Ferentz.
You serious Clark???

Have you never heard his players talk about him? They respect him as much as they do their own father and know he invests in them for the right reasons.
 

bnicolls

All-Conference
Jun 4, 2005
183
1,426
93
'deficiencies' perhaps was the wrong word. but 'areas for improvement'
- scoring output
- diversity of techniques
- late season performance/peaking (this seemed to improve this year, and something JWar himself seemed good at)

not trying to be super critical, but rather defending JWar. no single new hire was to come in and solve everything.
Thanks

Would you consider changing your User name to "WillietheUNREALBrain"?
 

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
941
3,110
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That year provided participation trophy All-American's. I don't acknowledge it either, and I would guess most of the actual Wrestlers don't as well. Not their fault, but that's ultimately how it went.

And of course It screwed the Hawks from back to back Championships to boot, and guys like Lugo, Marinelli & Spencer Lee with a lifetime of "what if's". 😡

Those AAs didn’t come from the NCAA. I believe it was from the coach’s association.
 

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
475
1,226
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With the concerns related to scrambling ability / diversity of techniques and the mentions of Yianni, I wonder if Eierman was ever a coaching candidate.

I also wonder to what degree scrambling is coached vs recruited.

Grab my foot and I'll tell ya. There is a science and basic fundamentals to it but I compare it to being in the MLB knuckleball club. The great ones when they talk about it, like Askren, is just crazy how deep it goes. Iowa could benefit from somebody in the "club". Eiermann is a disciple of Askren but not sure how well he teaches vs just knowing & feeling?

I had a conversation with W. Miklus years back after he spent a few minutes in the PSU room. Sum it up he was gushing about how much he learned. He was like if I got stuck in this position they said try to step on your own hand to get out of it. To paraphrase they seemed to make it so simple.

Somewhat related- I saw a few recent videos of Messenbrink showing a couple takedown. "This one I hit in the finals". Amazing how easy he made it sound and look and this is versus Caliendo.

Things like that makes me feel Iowa is severely outdated even though I cant prove it to be fact.
 

el dub

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2005
593
1,523
93
We have the realspooner. So to one up him, add "Unreal". Simple
Head Scratch What GIF by The Steve Wilkos Show
 
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dtripp26

Heisman
Oct 29, 2003
10,364
30,918
113
Agree, but barring a complete collapse, my sense/guess now is that Beth will let the contract play out.
Agree, 7AA probably gets TnT thru next year unless we crash out.

Given our multimillionaire backing, we're going to get enough help in the portal to not go belly up.
 
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