STORY: Iowa assistant coach Tonya Verbeek takes job with USA Wrestling

In case you missed Friday's news, six-time World/Olympic medalist (and Hawkeye assistant coach) Tonya Verbeek is leaving Iowa after nearly four years to take a job as USA Wrestling's National Women's Freestyle Assistant & Resident Coach.

I wrote about the void Verbeek's departure leaves behind - marking the first coaching shakeup in the history of the women's program - as well as some early thoughts on the route Iowa may go in hiring her successor:

Iowa assistant Tonya Verbeek to depart for job with USA Wrestling - On3

Rod488 said:

Hey Tanner, any updates on candidates for the open position? @Tanner Lafever

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Hey, thank you for reaching out!

For starters, I spoke with Coach Chun at Pan-Ams this past weekend and it sounds like the new hire could be announced as early as this week - if not shortly thereafter.

Per Chun, this was not a move that necessarily caught them off guard, and there was plenty of interest from prospective candidates - including a few surprises - once the news got out.

As for names of said candidates, I unfortunately don’t have nearly as much concrete information.

What I can say is that when I first heard about the impending job opening - about a week beforehand during the US Open - I was told by a difference source that one of the primary contenders to replace Verbeek was someone who had competed on the Senior National Team over the past 5-10 years.

If I hear anything more prior to the announcement I will let folks know, but that’s about all I have for the time being.

Thanks again for your interest!

Jackhawk8791 said:

Please be Sarah Hildebrandt. She would be awesome to have on the staff and in the room.

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That would surprise me given she recently came out of retirement to compete at the US Open - vacating the USA Wrestling coaching position that Verbeek subsequently just took, BTW.

Hildebrandt was injured in the US Open final, but it sounds like she’s got eyes on LA 2028.

As such, it feels like the timeline/fit wouldn’t really align with coaching at Iowa in the near future.

Rod488 said:

Tanner do you have any insight to Morgan Turner’s recruitment? @Tanner Lafever

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From what I’ve heard, it’s a bit of a mystery as to what she wants to do post high school - and whether that includes college at all.

But it’s my understanding that Iowa is very much interested if she does go that route.

Keep in mind that Iowa’s final recruit of the 2025 class didn’t commit until last July, so they’re willing to wait for the right fit/talent - and Turner certainly has plenty of the latter.

As folks have mentioned, Jenna Burkert has been hired to fill the role vacated by Verbeek:



A 4x Senior World Team member (and 2021 World medalist), this feels like another home run hire by Coach Chun.

(I’m working on a more extensive write-up as we speak.)

ICYMI - here's my full write-up on the hire:

Iowa hires World bronze medalist Jenna Burkert as assistant coach - On3

I'll also be chatting with Burkert at some point tomorrow to learn a little more about how the process all played out.

Hawkfan1986 said:

That’s a solid hire. Tough to replace Tonya but I like this effort. Thanks for posting the story and write up.

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In time, I think it could prove to be a lot more than solid.

Obviously, there probably won't ever exist another (realistic) candidate like Verbeek for the second assistant coaching role. But it feels like Burkert is an up-and-coming star, and could really compliment the foundation in place.