There has been speculation about Dan Dennis not being around much or in athletes corners during competition recently. I guess this is why.
Brandon Sorenson Named Head Coach of HWC
- Thread starter AS17380
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Let me guess, soon to be burned bridge with Dan Dennis ?
They also officially announced the additions of Caliendo, Kennedy, Peterson, and newcomer Crew Howard.
I don’t hate this.
sure I think most of us would rather have an already accomplished freestyle wrestler on the roster.
But Penn State’s machine began with them taking care of their undergrads with the NLWC.
I'm not sure what to think about Howard. He is another heavyweight to have in the room, but I'm not sure if he has done anything in Freestyle or Greco. Same with Peterson. I know he wrestled at the open in Greco, wonder if that was just to try it or if he's diving in.
They are here because they are cheap.
Why not announce the change to BS? It was folded into the announcement about the new wrestlers.
I like the additions. Peterson could be a really good 57kg guy in freestyle. Super tough to score on and strong. I think the Greco thing was an experiment similar to how Desanto did a couple tournaments over the years. His style plays better to freestyle in my opinion. Hopefully Spencer is there for a long time but my guess is after 2028 that’s it. Maybe Peterson can carry the mantle and push for some teams after that.
Howard is a much needed upper weight training partner. There aren’t many guys at 125kg.
The lack of Sorensen announcement is weird but I like him at the spot. He’s a good coach.
Howard is a much needed upper weight training partner. There aren’t many guys at 125kg.
The lack of Sorensen announcement is weird but I like him at the spot. He’s a good coach.
we like our..... well you know the rest
as long as they don't cross Tom anyways
as long as they don't cross Tom anyways
Can someone tell me Sorensons international freestyle experience since I’m assuming that’s something you’d want in a coach leading the HWC. I honestly don’t know what it is.
If we can keep adding guys from the college roster to the HWC, I can see the club really improving. Deluca: Junior Freestyle National Champion, Block: 2-Time Fargo Champ, Kueter: U20 World Gold and Silver, Bailey: Junior Freestyle National Champion, Arnold: U23 National Champion. I get wanting outside names, but we do have the talent in the room and if we can retain them long term I'll be happy.
Here come the haters…..
Sorensen is probably a better coach than he is a wrestler. Not uncommon.
Howard is just a training partner for Mocco, Kueter and Buchanan.
if it makes you all feel better — we stole him away from Iowa State who wanted him for Merrill and Batista
Sorensen is probably a better coach than he is a wrestler. Not uncommon.
Howard is just a training partner for Mocco, Kueter and Buchanan.
if it makes you all feel better — we stole him away from Iowa State who wanted him for Merrill and Batista
I'm not aware of what Lee Roper did in freestyle either can you fill me in
Dennis was an underwhelming hire from the get go.
All they could afford at the time?
All they could afford at the time?
Well his freestyle career was kind of interrupted by him having leukemia the year after he graduated.
He did make an Olympic team... and he's definitely one of Tom's guys, just ask Tony Ramos. Not sure if he still is...
Regardless, I like this hire and we have a very strong HC leading the HWC!
Does freestyle only start after graduation? Didn’t know if he had any before he got sick.
I guarantee you Sorenson will help lead Iowa back to the top and of course that means more national championships!!!
Guaranteed to happen!
He was 2nd at Fargo twice in Cadets and was 5th in Juniors also placed at University nationals while in college
Yes. But then of course he appeared coaching Iowa wrestlers during/after that. But someone may have been on to something.
He was an NCAA finalist and made the Olympic team. What, from an accolades standpoint, does BS have over him?
(That said, it isn't like I have an issue with BS in this position.)
I have a difficult time believing DD was ever going to be a "national draw" based on name recognition.
That's not intended as a slam on him.
No NCAA titles or Olympic medals.
Literally not a big deal at all. Some of our country's best FS minds have exactly 0 expertise, and no medals.
Jeff Buxton
Mark Perry
Lee Roper
Sean Bormet (did wrestle on Sr level, but no medals)
Max Askren
I love me some BS! Hated the way his life turned after his NCAA time and am glad he's back!! I guess we'll know how good he is as a coach when we start seeing some wrestling under his charge. Go BS!!
Agreed. But I also don't think that position is designed to be a "national draw" as Tom runs the HWC despite DD/BS's title.
My question more centered around why you insinuated BS is somehow a better choice. He's no draw, either. Perhaps I read something that wasn't there, and if so, I apologize.
He's been here all along and has been cornering guys for a few years.
Yes Bruce Burnett. Wrestling is so hard headed as a sport it's all about accolades still. It's 2026 woman coach in the NFL and NHL and many NFL head coaches didn't play in the NFL . Yet wrestling is still all about what did he do
Sorenson is the man.. hope it all goes well for him. Just an odd sequence of events with the HWC and Iowa program as a whole for quite a while now.
Would you ever consider hiring a guy that didn’t wrestle in college to coach a college team?
Sorenson was/is probably my favorite Hawkeye to have watched wrestle in the past decade or so. Well, Caliendo and sorenson, whichever order. Both guys could've been multi time national champs if not for freaks in their weight classes. Glad sorenson is taking on a new challenge, hope he crushes it for you guys!
Or Joe Russell,.who always looked like a guy I could probably beat in an actual wrestling match.
What criteria would you be looking for to evaluate a coach? If I said you could hire Jordan Burroughs or Brandon Sorenson as HWC coach, what are the deciding factors?
Joe's story is absolutely phenomenal
Joe Russell was actually a beast. he was in a terrible accident.
Didn't J Rob honor his scholarship after too or something like that? can't remember but If I remember right he did something really cool to get him at Minnesota could be wrong
Yes, if i remember correctly he started off as a student coach.