Gable's coaching Legacy . . .

HAWKEY3

Well-Known Member
Anyone feel that Brands has the desire for the longevity required to challenge Dan Gable's coaching legacy at Iowa? Could Brands win more duals and championships if he stayed for an equivalent period of time?
 
A year or two ago he said something to the effect that he wanted to get the program back to where it used to be, where opponents hated the fact that they had a meet with Iowa coming up. I may have misinterpreted it but I came away with the feeling that he wants to surpass the legacy of Gable. And I won't be surprised if he attains that goal.
 
One thing is for sure, the only way I really see him leaving would be due to health reasons or retirement. If he keeps winning Big 10/NCAA Titles, there's no better place to coach wrestling than Iowa!
 
He is our Paul Rhoads before ISU had a Paul Rhoads. With the added perk of there being no better place to coach wrestling than Iowa.
 
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.
 
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.


I agree it is harder with the reduced scholarships, but the good thing is the rich high school tradition in Iowa which means in-state tuition for some.
 
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.
 
I my opinion, Brands in not "competing" with Gable or any of his records at all. He came back to coach Iowa to restore the program the the position that Coach Gable had left it. All records are made to be broken. If Coach Brands sticks around at IA (which I don't see ANY reason why he would go anywhere else. . .), he probably will break some of Coach Gable's records. I don't think Coach Brands plans things out with wanting to break Gable's records as his #1 priority. If it happens by having his team wrestling like he thinks they can and should, then so be it. . . As far as the difficulties competing with all of the other schools and a level playing field in recruiting, I am not too worried about this either. IA will always be the leader in recruiting in the state of Iowa and we have shown over the years that we can get the blue collor type of kids and make them into champions. Look at this year's current varsity members:
125 McD - In state kid also the type of kid that we will continue to get
133 Dennis - blue collor kid from the midwest
141 Marion - In state kid / not a 5 star type recruit
149 Metcalf - Top tier recruit, but based on his mentality, people like him will continue to come to IA to wrestle for coach Brands.
157 Kerr/Jansen - In state kid: see 125 comment
165 M* - In state kid: see 125 comment
174 Jaybo - see 149 comment
184 Keddy - solid career at U of IA. I may be wrong, but I don't think he was heavily recruited. . .
197 Beatty - Total team player, in state kid see 125 comment
285 Erickson - see 184 comment. . .

On another note: I went to nationals and had not been since 1995 when it was at Carver Hawkeye. I had forgotten how many "haters" there were. . . I guess that is the ultimate sign that the program is back where it should be. : )
 
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.
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?

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?
 
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.

I think you forgot that Cael doesnt have the best past on developing talet yes he can get it but what does he do with them. The ISU senior class this year was the #1 class in the country coming in what did they do at ISU. Yes PSU will have the recruits but will that staff make them champions that the question. I will take Brands & Co. they can have the PA talent and Cael. Dont think Tom wont go out there and steal a couple recruits either, Cael will have a tough time taking anyone out of Iowa and I mean anyone.

Bad moves by PSU:
1. Hiring Cael
2. Getting rid of Mark Perry
 
Last edited:
Hawks1010 - slight adjustment to your list


Bad moves by PSU:

1. GAY SINGLETS WITH THE HORIZONTAL STRIPE - they are the ugliest I have ever laid eyes upon
2. Hiring Cael
3. Getting rid of Mark Perry[/QUOTE]
 
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?

Gable took over about a decade earlier in his life than Brands did. So as far as matching Gable's wins, if Brands were to win over his career at the pace that Gable did, he'd have to remain coach until he was quite a bit older than when Gable retired.
 
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.
 
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.
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.

God its great to be a HAWK!!!!!!
 
Brands is already breaking some of those records with shutouts and winning streaks. He is obviously not close yet but he is already putting is name up there with gable, and he has only been here 4 years! He could really be in that discussion if he stays here for awhile.
 

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