Will say if it's one of the Paulsons, I will be very unimpressed.
Next coach?
- Thread starter sportsfanatic27
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Mostly copied and pasted from previous threads, for those of you non-wrestling fans interested in new potential HC's:
Jordan Burroughs- I know that he has said that he isn't interested in being a head coach, but I think he has to be your first call anyway. Who thought Cael would go to PSU? Would certainly be a splash hire. Biggest name in wrestling, and his career as a competitor is starting to wind down.
Pat Popolizio- Current HC at NC State. They finished in the top 10 at NCAAs last year, lost only one dual meet and beat Iowa in a dual at Carver. They're ranked like 16th this year. Before he was the HC at NCST, he turned around Binghamton's (NY) wrestling program. Has a solid track record as a Head Coach. I don't know what it would take to get him to leave NC ST, might have to throw some cash at him.
Mark Perry- Currently Head assistant at Illinois. Was an 2X NCAA champ for Iowa, is the nephew of Okie State coach John Smith. He is known for his prowess as a recruiter. Illinois has been pretty solid the last couple of years and most of the credit for that form those in the know usually goes to Perry. He was the head assistant at Cal Poly before that, where he also recruited well. I wouldn’t be thrilled if he was hired like I am with Popolizio since Illinois results have only been marginally better than ours, although Perry is not in charge.
Eric Guerrero- Long time assistant at Okie State. Won a couple of NCAA titles and had a nice international career. I know he has been applying for some of the head coaching vacancies, including Fresno St and Boise St, so I think he would be interested. Don’t know much else about him, but I am curious how he would be as a head coach. Has had a lot of time to learn from John Smith.
Tim Flynn- Head coach at Edinboro, which is a tiny private college in PA. They always in the top 15 and usually in the top 10. They've also recently finished in the in the top 5 twice. What he has done there is nothing short of amazing. ISU would be an upgrade in terms of just about every measure in terms of support.
Damion Hahn- Associate head coach at Cornell University, who is a perennial contender in wrestling as of the last 10 years. Complete animal as a wrestler, was a 2X NCAA champ for Minn in college . A bit of an unknown but he is highly regarded by those at Cornell, and he may be waiting to take that job over.
Kevin Dresser- Head coach at VT who took over a decimated program after Brands left for Iowa, and now has them as a top 5 team. Before VT, he was the head coach at Christiansburg HS, who is a national power. He wrestled at Iowa and is originally from Humboldt. I don't think he would leave VT unless we really sweetened the pot for him.
Tervel Dlagnev- Recently finished competing, is now Head coach of Ohio State's RTC. Had an excellent international career, has been a staple on Team USA as a HWT for the last two olympic cycles. Wrestled for a medal in every World/Olympic championship he competed in. Virtually 0 coaching experience, but is well spoken and was a very technical competitor. I think he would be a great coach, but have doubts he would be ready for everything that comes with being a head coach at this level at this time, though I do think he will be a dandy eventually.
Jordan Burroughs- I know that he has said that he isn't interested in being a head coach, but I think he has to be your first call anyway. Who thought Cael would go to PSU? Would certainly be a splash hire. Biggest name in wrestling, and his career as a competitor is starting to wind down.
Pat Popolizio- Current HC at NC State. They finished in the top 10 at NCAAs last year, lost only one dual meet and beat Iowa in a dual at Carver. They're ranked like 16th this year. Before he was the HC at NCST, he turned around Binghamton's (NY) wrestling program. Has a solid track record as a Head Coach. I don't know what it would take to get him to leave NC ST, might have to throw some cash at him.
Mark Perry- Currently Head assistant at Illinois. Was an 2X NCAA champ for Iowa, is the nephew of Okie State coach John Smith. He is known for his prowess as a recruiter. Illinois has been pretty solid the last couple of years and most of the credit for that form those in the know usually goes to Perry. He was the head assistant at Cal Poly before that, where he also recruited well. I wouldn’t be thrilled if he was hired like I am with Popolizio since Illinois results have only been marginally better than ours, although Perry is not in charge.
Eric Guerrero- Long time assistant at Okie State. Won a couple of NCAA titles and had a nice international career. I know he has been applying for some of the head coaching vacancies, including Fresno St and Boise St, so I think he would be interested. Don’t know much else about him, but I am curious how he would be as a head coach. Has had a lot of time to learn from John Smith.
Tim Flynn- Head coach at Edinboro, which is a tiny private college in PA. They always in the top 15 and usually in the top 10. They've also recently finished in the in the top 5 twice. What he has done there is nothing short of amazing. ISU would be an upgrade in terms of just about every measure in terms of support.
Damion Hahn- Associate head coach at Cornell University, who is a perennial contender in wrestling as of the last 10 years. Complete animal as a wrestler, was a 2X NCAA champ for Minn in college . A bit of an unknown but he is highly regarded by those at Cornell, and he may be waiting to take that job over.
Kevin Dresser- Head coach at VT who took over a decimated program after Brands left for Iowa, and now has them as a top 5 team. Before VT, he was the head coach at Christiansburg HS, who is a national power. He wrestled at Iowa and is originally from Humboldt. I don't think he would leave VT unless we really sweetened the pot for him.
Tervel Dlagnev- Recently finished competing, is now Head coach of Ohio State's RTC. Had an excellent international career, has been a staple on Team USA as a HWT for the last two olympic cycles. Wrestled for a medal in every World/Olympic championship he competed in. Virtually 0 coaching experience, but is well spoken and was a very technical competitor. I think he would be a great coach, but have doubts he would be ready for everything that comes with being a head coach at this level at this time, though I do think he will be a dandy eventually.
I have not read this entire thread, but to consolidate things and to keep some people happy, can we post this thread in the wrestling and basketball forums? Totally kidding!
I'm torn on the Paulson's. From what I've heard from my limited contacts close to the program, they are mainly responsible for the limited success we had during the KJ era. I like that they are ISU guys too. But I have to wonder if the toxic culture we've had around it wouldn't just be better to start fresh.
You're pointing at the number of schools that dropped it from pre Title IX. I don't disagree with that. I was talking about the commitment schools are making to having a successful program. There are fewer schools sponsoring wrestling at the D1 level than there were 20 years ago, but the ones that still have a team are pouring a whole lot more money and resources in to it, both on average and at the top.
Pollard: Cale what would it take to get you to come back.
Cale: When pigs fly.
Pollard: I will have our scientist start working on it right now.
Cale: When pigs fly.
Pollard: I will have our scientist start working on it right now.
Don't know too much about the Paulson's but it seems like a patch over for a real problem. Bring in a high level coach and get him out talking and recruits will stay.
Thanks for the reply. I can respect that point of view. Here is a differing point of view that Bono fans could use:
1. The Askren story (which I've also heard) happened when Bono was a young assistant (maybe even his first year). He did make a mistake but most importantly it appears he has learned from it and become a better recruiter. I've never hear other similar story's and I'm sure he's still kicking himself about the one that got away.
2. History of success - The last time JP looked at hiring Bono he wasn't at SDSU yet. The uptrend of SDSU's program and the assistant coaches he was able to hire says a lot. Not to mention the way his wrestlers compete.
3. Not a flashy wrestler - I agree. This might be a blessing. One weakness that many agree upon within the state of our current program is developing non-blue chip wrestlers. Bono has built a reputation of being a workhorse who might be able to relate better to a Andrew Sorenson type guy. Being in Cael's "shadow" and playing second fiddle to Mcllravy might just be the motivating factor that drives him to success.
I'm not saying he should be #1 on JP's list but I would definitely support him and give him a fair chance to build this program into a contender if he's the chosen one.
We had to build an outdoor track - we didn't have one. It's not very fancy.
Ok point taken, but if you've ever been in a wrestling room, they aren't too fancy either and i'm betting it may have cost less than that whole setup.
I could appreciate that, but think you do what is best for the program in the long run. I'm okay with KJ staying on for the rest of the season if hiring from the outside. If I were AD and had thoughts of hiring Travis as next HC, I would turn the reigns over now. One can learn a lot by reading the actions of the wrestling community, future recruits, and current wrestlers. If Travis is worth considering, then the current seniors should certainly understand such a move and would support him.
To your point about Pollard's apathy towards wrestling: he was very passionate in convincing Martin Smith from OU to take the ISU track/field job. More aggressive in that hire than even football or men's basketball, from what I hear. Wouldn't take no for an answer.
Doubt that JP has that same mindset in the wrestling hire...
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Fair enough. I'll make no bones about the fact that he's not my #1 candidate but your points are all valid. He's done good things, and I'm sure has learned from his mistakes. I'll wish him the best and hope like hell it works out if he ends up being the guy, but I hope he isn't just preordained to be the new coach without looking elsewhere. He may end up being a great hire, but he doesn't do much to energize me, or apparently a good portion of the fan base from the get go.
The main perk of this all taking place now should be that we're 6 weeks ahead of everyone else that's looking for a coach. That time should be used to really reach out far and wide and make sure we're considering all the options to make an informed decision. I personally feel like we need to get outside both the ISU and Iowa coaching trees, or at the very least get somebody that's been away and had significant success elsewhere to get some new blood and perspective in here. For lack of a better word, things just feel stale.
I agree with everything you are saying except for number 3 (the flash). He was as flashy as many wrestlers to wear an ISU singlet. Maybe he had a hard time pinning his opponents, but he was a takedown machine and he rarely was ridden. He never got tired and was always pushing the action. We could use a little of that infusion!!!
We had an indoor track when I showed up in 1990. I remember they ran some meets in Lied when I was there.
Was told the part about escaping was due to a guy who rode him like a mule in practice. Made in a lot better from the bottom.
