Gable Interview. This deserves its own thread.
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He doesn't actually come out and say that he wants the job, just that it is a possibility (like he says "anything is a possibility").
Listening to his explanation for his move from ISU to Iowa made my thoughts towards him change a little bit. Basically nothing was open at ISU so he went to Iowa. Understandable.
Listening to his explanation for his move from ISU to Iowa made my thoughts towards him change a little bit. Basically nothing was open at ISU so he went to Iowa. Understandable.
Gable was very well spoken. I agree that it was an intriguing interview.
A quick, abbreviated transcription:
First, his thoughts on hearing Sanderson left. Obviously disappointed as a Cyclone alum. He thought the 3 Iowa schools were in great shape, not so sure now. Good for PSU and maybe the sport. As a ISU alum, how important to you personally. ISU is a top contender for the NC. Now if some wrestlers leave, maybe not. Other teams are in the hunt. Right now the concern is Iowa State, and hopefully a new coach comes in and ISU contends. Being a Cyclone alum and a promoter of the sport, still very concerned that Iowa State stay strong. On his departure from ISU. When Gable left Iowa State it wasn’t the shock like now. There really wasn’t a position there for him and ISU already had a national championship coach. Are you a possibility. Anything’s a possibility, but its kind of like you have to wake up 3 days in a row and have the same answer or you're confused. I would hope there are others out there in a good position to take over or be groomed and it doesn’t necessarily have to me. Are you the greatest coach of all time. Well if I go to Iowa State and win 5 titles in a row, then maybe I could put a feather in my cap. No, just kidding. I'm more worried about what is in the future for Iowa State, for the sport, and for America.
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I met Gable once before at an ISU football game 10 years ago or more back. He seemed pretty low key and much like he came across in this interview.
He obviously saves his energy and intensity for the matches.:wink:
Not sure what to think about the possibility of him coming back. Like he said, I'd have to wake up 3 times and think it was a good idea.
Would probably be a great short term patch...
He obviously saves his energy and intensity for the matches.:wink:
Not sure what to think about the possibility of him coming back. Like he said, I'd have to wake up 3 times and think it was a good idea.
Would probably be a great short term patch...
He left because he couldnt wrestle with the guys anymore. He was also an intense coach and that could have wore him down. Like said above he did all he could do at Iowa, he had nothing left to prove. Coming to ISU would be a new challange for him. He is also looking at the roster thinking with a little of Gable coaching this team could be one of the best of all time and have a good 5 year run. He ALWAYS pushes the sport no matter what he is doing, if it makes the sport better with him at ISU then his ties to Iowa mean nothing, the sport comes first to him. Having Cael, Brands, and himself all coaching could put some life back in the sport, something he would love.
I think this would be the one guy that we could hire that would save recruits and keep guys from transfering away from here. I say go get him and see what happens.
I want Gable. Its time to come home. Just for 1 or 2 years to stabilize the program and groom a successor.
This team could really use some Gable coaching to finally reach their goal.
This team could really use some Gable coaching to finally reach their goal.
4 or 5 years. I believe his daughters are in college at least by now, or real world? That was also part of his retirement. He is a workaholic, and it was taking its toll on his family. Also, the hip surgery or surgeries really changed his outlook. I believe that he thought he had left the Iowa ship and wrestling in general in good hands with Zalesky.
Dan is rested and ready. I think he still has that fire in his belly. Remember, his roots run Cyclone red, no matter how much time he spent in Iowa City. He has routinely showed up at ISU stuff over the years and proudly sported the cardinal and gold.
I like to see people catching on to the idea. Bring Dan home. Restore ISU to where it belongs, at the top of the wrestling world. Wrestle to win, expect to win, accept no excuses.
Love this idea. JP needs to get this done. Can you imagine the story it will be if Gable comes full circle and brings a NC back to Ames?
I am blown away by this interview. You can just hear how much he loathes Cael for disrespecting ISU and leaving the program that loved him. Gable never had the chance Cael did and he is ticked off that Cael didn't look at in the same light.
If he came back, this would be the greatest college wrestling season in the history of the sport. You would have the greatest coach taking on his old school and the only wrestler with a better record on the mat. He'd regain the respect of the ISU fans by coming back to his Alma Matter to restore the pride in the program and show what it's full potential would be.
I am now to the point that any coach besides Gable would be a huge mistake. Though a younger coach may be better in the long term, you have to take this opportunity of winning a national title. After all of Pollard's short commings so far regarding his coaching selections, this one would be a home run.
Just as an FYI - I was born in Ames, moved to PA in high school and went to school at Penn State. I think this was a great move by Penn State, but when it comes to my loyalty for wrestling, I'll never root for Penn State over ISU.
If he came back, this would be the greatest college wrestling season in the history of the sport. You would have the greatest coach taking on his old school and the only wrestler with a better record on the mat. He'd regain the respect of the ISU fans by coming back to his Alma Matter to restore the pride in the program and show what it's full potential would be.
I am now to the point that any coach besides Gable would be a huge mistake. Though a younger coach may be better in the long term, you have to take this opportunity of winning a national title. After all of Pollard's short commings so far regarding his coaching selections, this one would be a home run.
Just as an FYI - I was born in Ames, moved to PA in high school and went to school at Penn State. I think this was a great move by Penn State, but when it comes to my loyalty for wrestling, I'll never root for Penn State over ISU.
Trust me, Pollard will **** it up. His track record has been bad.
Gable probably wants to steer the first team ever over the 1,000 dual win threshold. We are at 989.
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No, Dan wants SOMEONE ELSE to take the job. He wants that person to be good. He came right out and said as much. He flat out says this. Exact quote: "I would hope there's enough good people out there that somebody could be groomed and step in and continue the tradition of Iowa State and it doesn't have to be me."
He doesn't want it to be him.
The rest of this stuff is little more than you guys reading into his comments want you want to read into them.
He's rested...fire in his belly...etc. No. Dan Gable was an assistant coach at Iowa just 2 years ago and had to give it up. He can't handle the grind anymore. Not even as an assistant coach.
It's a great fantasy. Don't get me wrong.
I know, but I just hope JP gets confused and accidentally brings Gable back. 1000 dual wins, first NC in wrestling at ISU in over 20 years, alumni leading his school, going against his pupil and his nemesis? Come on.
Yeah, after typing that, it makes so much sense that JP could actually mess that up. Oh well.
I'm no JP fan, but you are holding him to an impossible standard. You're basically expecting JP to rewind the clock 15 or so years.
It sounds to me like he'd take the job if they couldn't find anybody else of quality. Being a consultant or assistant seems more plausible that head coach. He certainly didn't shut the door altogether. He'd be happy to be involved at some level if asked.
Over the years I have had some interfacing with Dan and his Dad. Both were Iowa fans as Dan grew up. ISU was the power in the state when Dan went to college. But make no mistake; Dan still carries a credit card in his pocket with “herky the turkey†on its face.
Having stated that, Dan has an ego. If college wresting fades Dan’s fame fades; he doesn’t want that. Coaching ISU back to a national title would be great for the sport and would put Dan back in the spotlight.
A 2 year job at ISU is not a bad idea, lets talk it up and see what develops.
P.S. I have talked to Bill F. and he hints that Pollard is demanding of his coaches. Do we want something different? These guys are paid to perform; keep it up J.P!
Rudy
Having stated that, Dan has an ego. If college wresting fades Dan’s fame fades; he doesn’t want that. Coaching ISU back to a national title would be great for the sport and would put Dan back in the spotlight.
A 2 year job at ISU is not a bad idea, lets talk it up and see what develops.
P.S. I have talked to Bill F. and he hints that Pollard is demanding of his coaches. Do we want something different? These guys are paid to perform; keep it up J.P!
Rudy
Don't be ridiculous. Gary Thompson was heavily involved in bringing GMac to Ames. Johnny Majors was consulted on the FB hires. Numerous reports after each hiring confirmed it. The thing about the anti-Pollard crowd is that every complaint is ambiguous and lacks any basis of fact.
If you want to ***** about the poor records Pollard's coaches in FB and MBB have had, fine. Just remember that at the time they were widely regarded as excellent hires for ISU. They weren't like the Auburn AD hiring Chizik, which was condemned by virtually everyone with a brain.
BTW, Pollard's so stupid he's not even saving money by switching his car insurance to Geico.
I think what Gable wants is for ISU to ASK him to take this job. He doesn't want to interview or campaign for the job - he wants us to come after him.
I'd be fine with him coming back to ISU, but I won't be happy if he makes it look like he's doing us a favor. His ego is bigger than our other major coaches (Rhoads, McDermott, Fennally). In his defense, though, it would be hard NOT to have an ego after you've won 15 national titles.
I'd be fine with him coming back to ISU, but I won't be happy if he makes it look like he's doing us a favor. His ego is bigger than our other major coaches (Rhoads, McDermott, Fennally). In his defense, though, it would be hard NOT to have an ego after you've won 15 national titles.
