He gets plenty of practice every day in the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex. If he starts thinking in terms of negative, he has the ability to turn it to a positive and act on it, Tom Brands Sr. says. | All Rights Reserved. People see me as straightforward and probably unapologetic to the point where, if you want to use it against me, Im heartless, Tom says. Head coach Tom Brands discusses what it takes to wrestle at Iowa and what it takes to coach. But we will deliver.. Tom wanted his brother, and no one else. That accountability factor both in life and in wrestling was heightened when Terry was added onto the coaching staff before the 2008-09 season. Tom Brands, Jacob Warner, Patrick Kennedy Meet with Media Tuesday. Goodbye. Tom said, hanging up the imaginary phone with a clicking noise. Its not boring. Pat Santoro has big plans for Lehigh #EyesOnMarch pic.twitter.com/XeLCLxd3pA, Current school: Lehigh UniversityAlma mater: PittsburghYears: 1985-1989Record: 167-13. He was a four-time All-American, three-time NCAA Champion, three-time Big Ten Conference Champion, and Outstanding Wrestler at the 1992 NCAA Tournament. And to the head coach of Iowa wrestling, it was just corny enough to get the job done. A 1996 Olympic gold medalist and member of wrestlings Hall of Fame, Brands is only the eighth head wrestling coach at the University of Iowa. Everybody bought into what we were doing, and there were some transfers that came in and it was just like we all bonded together. The Hawkeyes didnt have that many All-Americans since the final year of Gables tenure. He was first honored in 2008 after leading the Hawkeyes to their first NCAA team title since 2000. Brands was a two-time NCAA champion, three-time All-American and three-time Big Ten champion for the Hawkeyes (1989-92) at 126 pounds. An intense competitor, Tom Brands wrestled under the leadership of coach Dan Gable at the University of Iowa. Iowa set the national collegiate dual meet attendance record of 42,287 when No. The regular season winds downs on the final Sunday before conference tournaments. Graig it's nice to see you give the recognition due to Gray Simons. "They always wanted to get better, Bonnie Brands says, and knew there was a higher power to help them.. You're begging for a cyber-war posting this article. We inducted him as Distinguished Member in 2004. Brands' new contract, obtained by the Des Moines Register, is a 7-year deal that begins July 1, 2022, and runs through June 30, 2029. But if we do something wrong, we get a little talk.. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Brands office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena is exactly what youd expect. At 125, Lee is going for an NCAA title as well as a bid to the Olympics. I think they exemplified to me what I was looking for in wrestling on the mat and then off the mat as well. Uetake would have won 4 if freshmen were eligible back then, he won his 1st Olympic Gold after his sophomore season. I know I have shortcomings.. Honors: Jim Zalesky and Tom Brands share many accomplishments, most notably, their three NCAA titles and their four All-American honors, but the one of the few differences separating the collegiate careers of these two Hawkeyes is Brands' fourth-place finish as a freshman compared to Zaleskys fifth-place finish as a freshman at the NCAA tournament. Hell be the first to acknowledge it'snot for everybody. Personal winning is. Every fiber of his being was dedicated to earning an Olympic Gold Medal of his own. Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands believes the Hawkeyes are in a good position at 125 pounds, where the only certainty is that Spencer Lee won't be in the lineup for weekend duals against . Brands led the Hawkeyes to national titles in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2021. In 1993 alone, he was World Champion and the Krasnoyarsk Tourney titlist, won the John Smith Outstanding Freestyle Award and Amateur Wrestling News' Man of the Year. He was so considerate. Tom remembers being a passenger in his fathers car when he was about 11, the age when his parents divorced, and looking at the hand gripping the steering wheel. Did you seriously say Dan Gable was overrated? Its hard to see sadness in him, but Im sure there is at times. And you know what? And, as you might imagine with Tom Brands, it all ties into wrestling. Follow @ChadLeistikow on Twitter.i, A look into Hawkeye wrestling with Tom Brands. McCoy completed in two Olympic games, 2000 and 2004 before moving out to California for his first head coaching job with Stanford. Head coach Tom Brands has won and lost at the highest level, and now he's teaching Iowa wrestlers to do the same by being self-accountable. On April 5, 2006, four days before the brothers 38th birthday, Tom was named the head coach of the Iowa wrestling program. Iowa head coach Tom Brands talks about what it was like to be an assistant coach at Iowa under Legendary coach Dan Gable.For more Tom Brands in depth intervi. Damion Hahn celebrates after winning the 2004 197 lb. That came at a time when we were kind of down with the recruiting, Terry says. In 2008, McCoy became the head coach of the University of Maryland where he now coaches his current team against his alma mater in the Big Ten. Sanderson never had a defending national champ in his weight. Two classes younger, Jeniwas a mat aide at Iowa and developed a crush on Tom. One of the most decorated wrestling prospects in decades chose to wrestle at Iowarather than Penn State, situated 2 hours from his native Murrysville, Pa. Lee's choice has Hawkeye fans buzzing. A couple weeks later, they had their own wrestling mat down in the basement. When he came in, it was exciting, former Iowa wrestler and current assistant coach Ryan Morningstar said. In his sophomore year, Steiner placed second and then won the tournament a year later as a junior. Thats illustrated in a recruiting story Tom hasnt publicly told, until now. Though just edged out by his fellow Hawkeye in the list of all-time greats, Zalesky no doubt deserves a place on this list as one of the current active wrestling coaches with the most successful collegiate wrestling careers. I looked at (assistant Ryan) Morningstar and Terry, and I said, Ive gotta go, Brands recalls. Seriously. On family vacation even on his honeymoon two days in one location is the max. I knew a lot about himalready: legendary stories of competitive drive; three-time NCAA champion at Iowa; 1996 Olympic gold medalist; successful and quotable coach. The 2010 championship was Iowas last, the longest stretch without a title for the Hawkeyes since the program won its first in 1975 under Kurdelmeier. The Hawkeyes are one of two favorites to win the NCAA team championship in March. Jim was Outstanding Wrestler at NCAAs and @bigten tourney in 1984. Moving to USA? Tom Brands' gold medal from the 1996 Olympics sits on display at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Iowa. While at Sheldon, Tom also set a record for most take-downs in a season with 158 in 1986 as well as most points with 477 the same year. Hes the loving husband who opens the door for you. Brands has authored several instructional VHS/DVD products that teach and advocate his "in-your-face" style of wrestling. Eight breakfasts, plus beverages and tip. Theres a major staff addition in Mark Perry returning to Iowa City to run the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. / Tom was born 5 minutes before his identical twin brother (who now serves professionally as his right-hand man andIowas associate head wrestling coach)on April 9, 1968. I never saw the fear in his eyes that he couldnt bring a team to winning national titles Ive never seen that fear; Ive only seen determination, Gable said. In 2009, Dennis took the 133-pound spot in the lineup and placed seventh at NCAAs as Iowa went on to beat Ohio State again, this time by just 4.5 points. Wrestling posters adorn the walls and a column near the center of the room, and atop his hanging cabinets sit photos of men hes coached through Iowas esteemed and nationally respected program. Now living in Iowa City, Tom Sr. is proud to say he hasnt had a drink in more than 36 years. The Iowa wrestling program has been built on accountability, and Brands has been at the core of that for 33 years. I am just getting to this article and I could not believe Jden Cox was 27 behind Taylor and Bo Nikal. The former Hawkeye wrestler was a four-time All-American and three-time national champion (1989-92) at Iowa. Cael scored bonus points in 138 of his 159 matches. I think kids want to be talked to that way. It matters on their accountability level, their commitment level, their independence level. [4] Meeting that standard as a coach, however, is something entirely different. MORE:Penn State wrestling looks almost unbeatable. His stats are extremely impressive. Tom captured three NCAA titles at 134 pounds for the Hawkeyes and Terry won two titles at 126. You break the habit. Nickerson took his first collegiate coaching job with Iowa Statebefore earning his current job as the head coach of Northern Colorado. He puts so much pressure on himself, she says. Also a three-time Big Ten champion, Brands won 95 percent of his matches at Iowa. He and his wife, Jeni, have three adult children, Madigan, Kinsee and Tommy. He was 118-1 at Iowa State, losing in the NCAA finals his senior year (1970) in the biggest upset in wrestling history. After winning three high school state championships, Steiner went on to finish fifth in his first NCAA tournament, a statement finish that set him up for three more top-five finishes at the national tournament and three consecutive conference titles. DI indoor T&F championship selections revealed, How La. Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! Whether that mindset continues from the bottom up, from 125-pounder Spencer Lee to last years heavyweight Sam Stoll, or from something that runs deep from decades earlier with an icon at the helm, theres one thing that remains true: competing in a black singlet that features a gold IOWA on the left thigh turns boys into men. The tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this streak, he finished his last two seasons undefeated and earned outstanding wrestler honors at the NCAA championships in 1984. Hed be my #1 hands down. Honors: John Smith is Oklahoma State wrestling. With that in mind, youre always looking up.. Its double the impact, and it was needed right at that time because, you know, we had great fun and great teams, but coach was losing all control, Gable said. Who do you answer to when you wake up in the morning? he says. He spent four seasons as a Wolverine, Sports Illustrate reports, but didn't take over as the starter until his junior season. In it, he is staring at a hawk perched on his arm, and the hawk is staring right back. Yet, Brands also admits hell often withhold information such as a lineup or redshirt decision from an athlete. The pressure Thomas Nelson Brands II faces by being in charge of Iowa wrestling is incredible. Thats why Im here.. Tom Brands considers it to be "a perfect fit." College Wrestling: Hawkeyes put 13 in Solider Salute semis, lead team race Iowa has 13 wrestlers represented in the semifinals of the Solider . I like her a lot. As breakfast at the Bluebird winds down, Brands covertly scoops up the check and pays the whole thing something he is known to do. Current school: IowaAlma mater: IowaYears: 1988-1992Record: 158-7-2. Terry was the best man. Current school: Penn StateAlma mater: Iowa StateYears: 1998-2002Record: 159-0. He was team captain for three years and was honored as the NCAA's Outstanding Wrestler his senior year. Winning is everything, Brands says. The Iowa program is one of the most decorated sports programs in all of intercollegiate athletics, and with that comes very lofty expectations, Bowlsby said in his introductory press conference. Theres massive roster turnover. We know what we got. They dont know how tolet loose. We wanted to get it back on the map. Or redshirt decision from an athlete no one else its hard to see sadness him! 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