It seems to me that the wrestling landscape began shifting about a decade or so ago when a few universities coughed up the dollars to change their status (tOSU, PSU and others to a lesser degree). In a sport that yields a small yearly crop of elite talent, these additions cost ISU ... whose AD, and by extension alumni, were not willing/able to commit funds. If they had, we'd have a new facility, a much better funded freestyle club, Sanderson as coach, stronger recruiting, and more success. Never forget how much of our halcyon days were built on Coach Nichols' generosity (including from his own pocket, I think).
PS: this should not be construed as support or an excuse for KJ. I have been lukewarm about him for some time (as my posting history demonstrates). But other coaches whom some *thought* might have been game changers when KJ was hired (Randall, the guy at American/Oklahoma) have not been setting the world on fire, either.
PS: this should not be construed as support or an excuse for KJ. I have been lukewarm about him for some time (as my posting history demonstrates). But other coaches whom some *thought* might have been game changers when KJ was hired (Randall, the guy at American/Oklahoma) have not been setting the world on fire, either.
All of this exactly.
The CKJ apologists on here forget that we were the #3 program historically (1st to 1000 dual wins, 3rd in total team championships and individual champions). I don't think anyone is calling for a national championship but being in the top 10 every year is a minimum expectation for the program. There was a point only 5 years ago when you could walk into almost any wrestler's living room and they'd listen and they'd either choose to ride the pine at Iowa or come to ISU. True... Cael and Penn State messed everything up nationally (his negative affect on our program is a vastly overrated and simplistic excuse) but something is off when you're starting wrestlers who were merely two time place winners at their high school state championships. In recent history those guys were warm practice bodies, not starters and if you can't recruit over that level of talent by telling the high level recruit they are a 4 year starter, then you shouldn't be coaching at ISU.
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