He sounded more disappointed that he didn't score more points than excited that he just won his second NCAA Championship! That dude is serious about his wrestling.The challenge for Coach Brands to achieve what Gable did, is the now level playing field in College Wrestling. When Gable was doing his great work, he mainly had to compete with ISU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. Now with the reduced number of scholarships, it is harder to get the really good guys to come on board knowing that they will have to pay a majority of their way. Granted, I believe that Brands has the drive and desire to pursue any goal that he wants to achieve.......if he wants to surpass what Gable did at Iowa, I see him working to meet/exceed those numbers. There is no better person for Iowa to have as their head coach.
BTW.....did you all watch Metcalf's post match interview last night? If you close your eyes, you may think that it was Tom or Terry Brands talking. Brent, after his wrestling careers is completed, could turn himself into a tremendous coach. He has the Brands style and attitude engrained in him.
He sounded more disappointed that he didn't score more points than excited that he just won his second NCAA Championship! That dude is serious about his wrestling.
The challenge for Coach Brands to achieve what Gable did, is the now level playing field in College Wrestling. When Gable was doing his great work, he mainly had to compete with ISU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. Now with the reduced number of scholarships, it is harder to get the really good guys to come on board knowing that they will have to pay a majority of their way. Granted, I believe that Brands has the drive and desire to pursue any goal that he wants to achieve.......if he wants to surpass what Gable did at Iowa, I see him working to meet/exceed those numbers. There is no better person for Iowa to have as their head coach.
BTW.....did you all watch Metcalf's post match interview last night? If you close your eyes, you may think that it was Tom or Terry Brands talking. Brent, after his wrestling careers is completed, could turn himself into a tremendous coach. He has the Brands style and attitude engrained in him.
Would it say nothing of Brands' coaching prowess if he was able to sustain that high level for, let's say, the next 15-20 years? Is there no struggle involved to stay the best, when every year you must begin and end with a target on your chest?Get real, as good as he is, as great as he may become there is only one Dan Gable. Gary Kurdlemeir (sp) and Gable built this program. In the early to mid 70's Iowa was not what it is today and I feel the nod always goes to the one(s) that built the program not the one who sustains it a the highest level. Just my thoughts.
I will agree that there seem to be more quality schools than ever before and I am most worried about the new PSU coach and the access to all those PA highschools. I think he is going to be the main threat for the foreseeable future.
Get real, as good as he is, as great as he may become there is only one Dan Gable. Gary Kurdlemeir (sp) and Gable built this program. In the early to mid 70's Iowa was not what it is today and I feel the nod always goes to the one(s) that built the program not the one who sustains it a the highest level. Just my thoughts.
I will agree that there seem to be more quality schools than ever before and I am most worried about the new PSU coach and the access to all those PA highschools. I think he is going to be the main threat for the foreseeable future.
My original question was whether Brands had the desire to stay at Iowa for long enough to rival the Wins column that Gable dominates. If Brands was able to exceed the Championships/Wins that Gable did at Iowa, would he not rightfully be our greatest coach?
Agreed. Great to be a Hawkeye right now.Hawkey3 - all I can say is it is a great dilemma to have
There are a TON of former Gable coached wrestlers who are now head coaches, which is a great complement to Gable himself. Of all of them out there right now - IMO, Tom Brands is the most like him (Gable)in many ways. Another thing that I think a lot of people automatically overlook is his assistant coach TERRY BRANDS! Say what you will but he (and all of the current staff) makes a difference in that program and is a big reason the Hawks are where they are today.Part of the Gable legacy is similar to the Hayden Fry legacy. Look at all the great coaches Fry developed. Now look at all the head coaches that Gable developed. Brands is probably the best of all, but there's a bunch of them out there now who are coaching with the Gable intensity, and that is a formidable group to recruit against.