I see a lot of names are being tossed around for the head coaching position, but what guidelines are they using to determine who would the right candidate to return ISU to wrestling elite? Let’s see what happens when a specific set of criteria is used to filter the candidates for the position.
The criteria is as follows:
1) Head coach preferred, but there are also several Assistant Coaches out there that qualify.
2) Must have been part of a National Championship team, whether as a wrestler or coach.
3) Must be from a program that has a consistent top ten placement at the NCAA Tournament.
4) Must have been at least a Division 1 All-American – the coach needs to be able to relate what challenges their wrestlers encounter at this level of competition
5) Team coaching must have a consistent record of NCAA qualifiers, All-Americans, and National Champs.
Okay, five very demanding, but specific, attributes needed to be considered for the position. Let’s see who qualifies:
1) Kevin Dresser-Virginia Tech – Should be the #1 focus of the search…period!
His credentials speak for themselves, best pure development of talent out there, so here’s why he would take the job-
A) Iowa roots and wants to return and prove that he’s a better coach than Tom, Terry, & Co.
B) Pollard offers $220,000, which is about a 65% raise from his current salary, and puts him near the ballpark of the top five wrestling programs coaches.
C) Understands the Cyclone’s place in wrestling history and wants to be remembered as the one who restored the program to its previous glory.
D) He’s a coaching legend in Virginia and can also become a legend in everywhere, ot just Iowa.
E) Knows he will be inheriting a team with great talent and supporters.
Why he won’t take the job-
A) Has lived about as many years of his life in Virginia (since 1988) as in Iowa, his wife and children are lifelong Virginia residents, may not want to leave Virginia.
B) Virginia Tech may want to not lose Dresser and make a competitive offer to keep him there.
C) At 52, he’s happy with his success and may not care or want to “rebuild” another program.
D) Super diehard Hawk and in no way does he want to be a Clone!
2) J Jaggers – Ohio State
A) Has been an assistant under Tom Ryan since graduating in 2009 and the Assistant Coach for the last 6 years, which includes being the Assistant Coach on the 2015 NCAA Champion team. Two-time NCAA Champ and all other criteria met.
3) Damian Hahn – Cornell
A) Two-time NCAA Champ, member Minnesota 2002 National Championship team, Assistant Coach for the last 11 years and Associate Head Coach at Cornel for the past four seasons.
4) Eric Guerrero – Oklahoma State
A) Three-time NCAA Champ, 12 years on coaching staff during which OK State won four NCAA Championships, promoted to the role of associate head coach prior to the 2012-13 season, and stellar international wresting career as well.
5) Mark Perry – Illinois
A) Meets all criteria, but hasn’t really coached on a National contender. Still, incredibly talented wrestler and eager to coach from THE first family of US wrestling! Pedigree deserves serious consideration!
Granted, all of these coaches would have to WANT to come ISU, and Pollard needs to step-up and prove he is committed to the Iowa State Wrestling tradition.
The criteria is as follows:
1) Head coach preferred, but there are also several Assistant Coaches out there that qualify.
2) Must have been part of a National Championship team, whether as a wrestler or coach.
3) Must be from a program that has a consistent top ten placement at the NCAA Tournament.
4) Must have been at least a Division 1 All-American – the coach needs to be able to relate what challenges their wrestlers encounter at this level of competition
5) Team coaching must have a consistent record of NCAA qualifiers, All-Americans, and National Champs.
Okay, five very demanding, but specific, attributes needed to be considered for the position. Let’s see who qualifies:
1) Kevin Dresser-Virginia Tech – Should be the #1 focus of the search…period!
His credentials speak for themselves, best pure development of talent out there, so here’s why he would take the job-
A) Iowa roots and wants to return and prove that he’s a better coach than Tom, Terry, & Co.
B) Pollard offers $220,000, which is about a 65% raise from his current salary, and puts him near the ballpark of the top five wrestling programs coaches.
C) Understands the Cyclone’s place in wrestling history and wants to be remembered as the one who restored the program to its previous glory.
D) He’s a coaching legend in Virginia and can also become a legend in everywhere, ot just Iowa.
E) Knows he will be inheriting a team with great talent and supporters.
Why he won’t take the job-
A) Has lived about as many years of his life in Virginia (since 1988) as in Iowa, his wife and children are lifelong Virginia residents, may not want to leave Virginia.
B) Virginia Tech may want to not lose Dresser and make a competitive offer to keep him there.
C) At 52, he’s happy with his success and may not care or want to “rebuild” another program.
D) Super diehard Hawk and in no way does he want to be a Clone!
2) J Jaggers – Ohio State
A) Has been an assistant under Tom Ryan since graduating in 2009 and the Assistant Coach for the last 6 years, which includes being the Assistant Coach on the 2015 NCAA Champion team. Two-time NCAA Champ and all other criteria met.
3) Damian Hahn – Cornell
A) Two-time NCAA Champ, member Minnesota 2002 National Championship team, Assistant Coach for the last 11 years and Associate Head Coach at Cornel for the past four seasons.
4) Eric Guerrero – Oklahoma State
A) Three-time NCAA Champ, 12 years on coaching staff during which OK State won four NCAA Championships, promoted to the role of associate head coach prior to the 2012-13 season, and stellar international wresting career as well.
5) Mark Perry – Illinois
A) Meets all criteria, but hasn’t really coached on a National contender. Still, incredibly talented wrestler and eager to coach from THE first family of US wrestling! Pedigree deserves serious consideration!
Granted, all of these coaches would have to WANT to come ISU, and Pollard needs to step-up and prove he is committed to the Iowa State Wrestling tradition.
