Well, my hopes of breaking the 15 year drought are diminishing.

[LIV4GOD]

I'm talking about no NCAA champs in the upper half of the weights. Borschel was the last one in 2010. But Steve B. could still do it.

It's hard to be excited about the Hawks after tonight. I believe someone said Tom has only had 6 B1G team titles in 20 years. That is discouraging if true. Only 2 wrestlers who are NCAA champs in the last 10 years: Clark and Spencer. One has to acknowledge the lows to feel the joy more intensely when the worm turns.

Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting. I sure hope we get the Raney twins. We got a great chance at Mocco.

 

[Hawkeye in DFW]

I get it but still looking forward to 11 days from now. Drake beats Byrd next time and I like SB to reverse this decision also. Great weekend for BK. Maybe favorite match if the day is Mikey closing the gap on MM.
Sh*ty weekend, but the important weekend is in two weeks.

 

[LIV4GOD]

I get it but still looking forward to 11 days from now. Drake beats Byrd next time and I like SB to reverse this decision also. Great weekend for BK. Maybe favorite match if the day is Mikey closing the gap on MM.
Sh*ty weekend, but the important weekend is in two weeks.

Yeah, a significant positive for me was watching Caliendo. I mean, he didn't just sit back and try to stall to stop from being scored on. He had many attempts to get behind MM. He also fought off a couple good shots. It was the first time I didn't see him as way weaker in their series. Yes, he lost, but that was definite progress.

 

[texas twister]

I'm talking about no NCAA champs in the upper half of the weights. Borschel was the last one in 2010. But Steve B. could still do it.

It's hard to be excited about the Hawks after tonight. I believe someone said Tom has only had 6 B1G team titles in 20 years. That is discouraging if true. Only 2 wrestlers who are NCAA champs in the last 10 years: Clark and Spencer. One has to acknowledge the lows to feel the joy more intensely when the worm turns.

Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting. I sure hope we get the Raney twins. We got a great chance at Mocco.

Time for Beth to have a pow-wow with TB. This is not what Iowa is suppose to be about.

 

[ff141]

Time for Beth to have a pow-wow with TB. This is not what Iowa is suppose to be about.

I find it hard to believe this convo is a thing that will happen. While we can be disappointed with results and still have expectations of the good old days as long as they’re near the top nothing is going to change. Sold out Carver every year, recruiting near the top, big money donors backing the program with NIL and a new facility and faith in the coaches. Only way this changes is with a major scandal or reverting to the end of zakesky’s time. With the recent posting of the top wrestling programs financials….which all lose big money. I don’t thing the ADs really give a shit unless your football and basketball.

 

[Libertylover]

I find it hard to believe this convo is a thing that will happen. While we can be disappointed with results and still have expectations of the good old days as long as they’re near the top nothing is going to change. Sold out Carver every year, recruiting near the top, big money donors backing the program with NIL and a new facility and faith in the coaches. Only way this changes is with a major scandal or reverting to the end of zakesky’s time. With the recent posting of the top wrestling programs financials….which all lose big money. I don’t thing the ADs really give a shit unless your football and basketball.

And our football, and especially basketball programs are in much worse shape.

 

[TarpHawk]

I find it hard to believe this convo is a thing that will happen. While we can be disappointed with results and still have expectations of the good old days as long as they’re near the top nothing is going to change. Sold out Carver every year, recruiting near the top, big money donors backing the program with NIL and a new facility and faith in the coaches. Only way this changes is with a major scandal or reverting to the end of zakesky’s time. With the recent posting of the top wrestling programs financials….which all lose big money. I don’t thing the ADs really give a shit unless your football and basketball.

FYI, Tom's stats are worse than Zalesky's, almost across the board:

• Avg NCAA points: JZ 91.3, TB 85.5
• Avg NCAA placement: JZ 3.33, TB 3.0 (This is the only stat where TB is better)
• Avg NCAA champs/year: JZ 1.1, TB 0.7
• Avg NCAA titles/year: JZ 0.33 (3 in 9 seasons), TB 0.22 (4 in 18 seasons)
• # of times >100 NCAA points: JZ 4x in 9 seasons, TB 4x in 18 seasons
• Final/most recent place at NCAAs: JZ 4th w/ 70 points in '06, the year he was fired; TB 5th w/ 67 points in '24

But I agree with the rest of your post. The AD (certainly the prior AD) has clearly come to accept that being "among the top 3-5 teams" is the goalpost.

And who's to say it's not? Other than Gable...and Cael...and David Taylor...and us old farts who are old enough to remember that "being among the top 3-5 teams" was not what Iowa signed up for when it fired Jimmy and hired Tom.

That said--

Tom has had a good career will be remembered as one of the titans of wrestling, both as a competitor and a coach, in the same vein as John Smith. He didn't do everything he set out to do. But at least he aimed high. Wrestling teaches you your limitations, and that's why it's a great sport. You can respect Tom and still hold the opinion that he's not the guy to consistently score 125+ points or even 100+ points at NCAAs.

 

[ff141]

FYI, Tom's stats are worse than Zalesky's, almost across the board:

• Avg NCAA points: JZ 91.3, TB 85.5
• Avg NCAA placement: JZ 3.33, TB 3.0 (This is the only stat where TB is better)
• Avg NCAA champs/year: JZ 1.1, TB 0.7
• Avg NCAA titles/year: JZ 0.33 (3 in 9 seasons), TB 0.22 (4 in 18 seasons)
• # of times >100 NCAA points: JZ 4x in 9 seasons, TB 4x in 18 seasons
• Final/most recent place at NCAAs: JZ 4th w/ 70 points in '06, the year he was fired; TB 5th w/ 67 points in '24

But I agree with the rest of your post. The AD (certainly the prior AD) has clearly come to accept that being "among the top 3-5 teams" is the goalpost.

And who's to say it's not? Other than Gable...and Cael...and David Taylor...and us old farts who are old enough to remember that "being among the top 3-5 teams" was not what Iowa signed up for when it fired Jimmy and hired Tom.

That said--

Tom has had a good career will be remembered as one of the titans of wrestling, both as a competitor and a coach, in the same vein as John Smith. He didn't do everything he set out to do. But at least he aimed high. Wrestling teaches you your limitations, and that's why it's a great sport. You can respect Tom and still hold the opinion that he's not the guy to consistently score 125+ points or even 100+ points at NCAAs.

zalesky wasn’t competing against this PSU. And you can’t in good conscience regardless of the stats compare the end of zalesky’s career to Iowa last year. Where were they in the big ten? The dual record was bad.

 

[CMMG Banshee]

zalesky wasn’t competing against this PSU. And you can’t in good conscience regardless of the stats compare the end of zalesky’s career to Iowa last year. Where were they in the big ten? The dual record was bad.

Zelensky was competing against PSU, they weren't as good then as they are now.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Zalesky also didn't have the current transfer rules to work with. It goes both ways.

 

[ff141]

Zalesky also didn't have the current transfer rules to work with. It goes both ways.

That’s irrelevant. Everybody then had the same rules and everybody now does also. Both Groups had equal footing. If the tranfer portal wasn’t here now they would have recruited differently.

 

[ff141]

Zelensky was competing against PSU, they weren't as good then as they are now.

That’s why I said “this”…

 

[slushhead]

zalesky wasn’t competing against this PSU. And you can’t in good conscience regardless of the stats compare the end of zalesky’s career to Iowa last year. Where were they in the big ten? The dual record was bad.

Let’s not forget that “this PSU” was developed entirely during Tom’s watch. He lost the recruiting game, lost the RTC game, and others. 100% on his watch.

 

[Pennstate1985]

That’s irrelevant. Everybody then had the same rules and everybody now does also. Both Groups had equal footing. If the tranfer portal wasn’t here now they would have recruited differently.

That is certainly relevant when comparing records from different eras.

 

[ff141]

That is certainly relevant when comparing records from different eras.

You’re trying to give zalesky some benefit by saying if he had the portal it would have been different or Brands would be worse if he didn’t. I don’t see how this changes anything. It’s not relevant to their individual situations

 

[ff141]

Let’s not forget that “this PSU” was developed entirely during Tom’s watch. He lost the recruiting game, lost the RTC game, and others. 100% on his watch.

Definitely dropped the ball. Seemed like they weren’t putting in the effort or just not understanding the quickly changing game tgat recruiting was

 

[Pennstate1985]

You’re trying to give zalesky some benefit by saying if he had the portal it would have been different or Brands would be worse if he didn’t. I don’t see how this changes anything. It’s not relevant to their individual situations

Then let me ask this then. If the old transfer rules back in 2005 were in place and Brands was stuck with the wrestlers he recruited on the team last year to produce this year, what does Iowa's nationals performance look like this year? Two potential finalists and up to 5 AAs. 65 points and fighting for 4th. You have to include the newer transfer rules in order to compare eras. Zalesky had no such avenue to improve his teams quickly except through recruiting.

I'm not saying that Brands shouldn't use the new rules to improve the team, only that Zalesky didn't have that opportunity.

 

[ff141]

Then let me ask this then. If the old transfer rules back in 2005 were in place and Brands was stuck with the wrestlers he recruited on the team last year to produce this year, what does Iowa's nationals performance look like this year? Two potential finalists and up to 5 AAs. 65 points and fighting for 4th. You have to include the newer transfer rules in order to compare eras. Zalesky had no such avenue to improve his teams quickly except through recruiting.

I'm not saying that Brands shouldn't use the new rules to improve the team, only that Zalesky didn't have that opportunity.

I’ll agree that if they had the rules back then boosters would have went and got good wrestlers. What I’m saying for now your right they woujdnt have been able to grab guys from every team but from the time they were allowed it became their strategy. U can’t say they would just be without. Their strategy with high school recruits would be different. It’s too hard to compare eras.

 

[Bucky712]

Whoa, have we only had two champions in the last 10 years?

Now just crowning an individual Big Ten champion is a difficult goal for Iowa. This whole staff is massively underperforming.

 

[Fan In Black]

Jim was competing against OSU which won 4 consecutive titles by an average margin of 50 points.

 

[ff141]

Jim was competing against OSU which won 4 consecutive titles by an average margin of 50 points.

And his last 5 years the avg placement at ncaas was 5th…OSU wasn’t the issue. And they averaged 4 dual losses per year. These situations aren’t the same.
My biggest point was back then there were coaching options out there to get better and get back on top. Now it’s a big question and we aren’t in as big a dip.

 

[Iron Doc]

I'm talking about no NCAA champs in the upper half of the weights. Borschel was the last one in 2010. But Steve B. could still do it.

It's hard to be excited about the Hawks after tonight. I believe someone said Tom has only had 6 B1G team titles in 20 years. That is discouraging if true. Only 2 wrestlers who are NCAA champs in the last 10 years: Clark and Spencer. One has to acknowledge the lows to feel the joy more intensely when the worm turns.

Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting. I sure hope we get the Raney twins. We got a great chance at Mocco.

"poo" - SUCH language on THIS Forum!!! I am offended. Kids might be reading this.

 

[CMMG Banshee]

That’s why I said “this”…

I get it, as a less knowledgeable fan in many I think I'm still OK assuming out looking at the big picture. Wrestling has been dominated by three different programs over years it seems, Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Penn State.

When you get one of those game changing iconic coaches it just changes the whole landscape for everyone. Great you're a fan of the top dog, frustrating if you're not. What I'm wondering is what would've happened if Sanderson stated Iowa State, Penn State had some random coach, and Tom Brand of course is still in Iowa.

I'm going to guess that Sanderson would've been a player and had a few championships at minimum but I'm going to also guess that Tom Brands might've had three or four more, just my estimation. Maybe Penn State would be doing OK but I think they'd be more in the Iowa to Michigan kind of range. Maybe hitting top five now and then, but more of a top 10 like program.

In my opinion wrestling benefits the most from that iconic coach, more than any other team sport. Just a general perspective.

 

[ff141]

I get it, as a less knowledgeable fan in many I think I'm still OK assuming out looking at the big picture. Wrestling has been dominated by three different programs over years it seems, Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Penn State.

When you get one of those game changing iconic coaches it just changes the whole landscape for everyone. Great you're a fan of the top dog, frustrating if you're not. What I'm wondering is what would've happened if Sanderson stated Iowa State, Penn State had some random coach, and Tom Brand of course is still in Iowa.

I'm going to guess that Sanderson would've been a player and had a few championships at minimum but I'm going to also guess that Tom Brands might've had three or four more, just my estimation. Maybe Penn State would be doing OK but I think they'd be more in the Iowa to Michigan kind of range. Maybe hitting top five now and then, but more of a top 10 like program.

In my opinion wrestling benefits the most from that iconic coach, more than any other team sport. Just a general perspective.

I’d say yes there would be more parity. Sanderson at ISU was poised to win titles. How many who knows. PSU’s cupboard wasn’t bare before he got there. Molinaro, Wright, Jenkins and a committed Ruth. 4 eventual national champs.

 

[MitchLL]

Let’s not forget that “this PSU” was developed entirely during Tom’s watch. He lost the recruiting game, lost the RTC game, and others. 100% on his watch.

Good point on the RTC.

Not a lot of positive news on that front for many years...at least from an athlete perspective.

 

[Flying_Tiger]

I get it, as a less knowledgeable fan in many I think I'm still OK assuming out looking at the big picture. Wrestling has been dominated by three different programs over years it seems, Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Penn State.

When you get one of those game changing iconic coaches it just changes the whole landscape for everyone. Great you're a fan of the top dog, frustrating if you're not. What I'm wondering is what would've happened if Sanderson stated Iowa State, Penn State had some random coach, and Tom Brand of course is still in Iowa.

I'm going to guess that Sanderson would've been a player and had a few championships at minimum but I'm going to also guess that Tom Brands might've had three or four more, just my estimation. Maybe Penn State would be doing OK but I think they'd be more in the Iowa to Michigan kind of range. Maybe hitting top five now and then, but more of a top 10 like program.

In my opinion wrestling benefits the most from that iconic coach, more than any other team sport. Just a general perspective.

I've wondered about this myself. I suspect Cael would have broken through at ISU and won some championships but not in the way he did at PSU.

PSU would have had Rob Koll as coach who would have done an excellent job imo, but again, they would not be the dynasty they are under Cael.

Iowa would have benefited with talent being spread out between ISU and PSU although I think they still would have had challenges in returning to being the premier team in college wrestling.

 

[CMMG Banshee]

I’d say yes there would be more parity. Sanderson at ISU was poised to win titles. How many who knows. PSU’s cupboard wasn’t bare before he got there. Molinaro, Wright, Jenkins and a committed Ruth. 4 eventual national champs.

Yep, I'm wondering if they'd maybe contend, win, or under perform ? We'll never know.

 

[Nashville_Hawkeye]

I'm talking about no NCAA champs in the upper half of the weights. Borschel was the last one in 2010. But Steve B. could still do it.

It's hard to be excited about the Hawks after tonight. I believe someone said Tom has only had 6 B1G team titles in 20 years. That is discouraging if true. Only 2 wrestlers who are NCAA champs in the last 10 years: Clark and Spencer. One has to acknowledge the lows to feel the joy more intensely when the worm turns.

Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting. I sure hope we get the Raney twins. We got a great chance at Mocco.

We need to perform better on the big stage to entice more top tier recruits!! I think we do it this year.

 

[TarpHawk]

zalesky wasn’t competing against this PSU. And you can’t in good conscience regardless of the stats compare the end of zalesky’s career to Iowa last year. Where were they in the big ten? The dual record was bad.

PSU is a red herring. Take out PSU and Tom only wins 2 more titles, giving him 6 in 18 years, for the same 0.33 percentage as JZ.

The other stats stay the same.

You can't win titles scoring 70 and 80 points.

Unless you're implying that without Cael, PSU's best recruits would've gone to Iowa instead, thereby boosting Tom's stats? Okay, it's a theory, and not a bad one (e.g., Nolf). If you like, put asterisks next to Tom's stats, noting *These stats would be better if Nolf and Brooks and Retherford had wrestled for Iowa. I agree.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the stats are the stats.

 

[HugoBear]

I get it, as a less knowledgeable fan in many I think I'm still OK assuming out looking at the big picture. Wrestling has been dominated by three different programs over years it seems, Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Penn State.

When you get one of those game changing iconic coaches it just changes the whole landscape for everyone. Great you're a fan of the top dog, frustrating if you're not. What I'm wondering is what would've happened if Sanderson stated Iowa State, Penn State had some random coach, and Tom Brand of course is still in Iowa.

I'm going to guess that Sanderson would've been a player and had a few championships at minimum but I'm going to also guess that Tom Brands might've had three or four more, just my estimation. Maybe Penn State would be doing OK but I think they'd be more in the Iowa to Michigan kind of range. Maybe hitting top five now and then, but more of a top 10 like program.

In my opinion wrestling benefits the most from that iconic coach, more than any other team sport. Just a general perspective.

Cael going to PSU was the perfect storm. Fantastic coach with great staff, RTC vison, $$$, and also located in the absolute hot bed of high school wrestling. Geography matters.

 

[MAGAman]

PSU is a red herring. Take out PSU and Tom only wins 2 more titles, giving him 6 in 18 years, for the same 0.33 percentage as JZ.

The other stats stay the same.

You can't win titles scoring 70 and 80 points.

Unless you're implying that without Cael, PSU's best recruits would've gone to Iowa instead, thereby boosting Tom's stats? Okay, it's a theory, and not a bad one (e.g., Nolf). If you like, put asterisks next to Tom's stats, noting *These stats would be better if Nolf and Brooks and Retherford had wrestled for Iowa. I agree.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the stats are the stats.

only my opinion…i think CS would of had similar success at ISU. When it comes down to it with recruiting, from a parent and as a young recruit, compare recruiting process between TT and CS. You can just see it in the difference between character and personality in interviews, bench/corner persona, professionalism…etc when sitting infront of a parent and athlete. Also CS builds a positive no drama culture. Dont think tt is on same level.

I know here in hawkland we love the intensity of tt. They certainly care and have a passion to develop the program at its highest level and grow the sport, but I think nationwide outside of Iowa the image that they perceive themselves in front of the media and in the corners is not a good look. I think athletes and parents and high school coaches. See a big difference there. I think that’s the biggest reasonCS captures top talent.

I’ll give you the fact that he’s in the middle of the hot bed of wrestling in this era. But I would also argue that one TNT got started the hot bed of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma. We’re very close.

He’s built a machine out there because of his wrestling expertise his coaching staff that he alone has developed and hired along with attracting top talent.

I just don’t see how we dig out of that advantage that they have now without TNT completely changing there personalities and training, structure or new leadership and start from scratch.

I was an athlete that was recruited. And I’ve also had children highly recruited so I’m coming from the perspective of an athlete and a parent that is sat in all those meetings.

 

[ff141]

PSU is a red herring. Take out PSU and Tom only wins 2 more titles, giving him 6 in 18 years, for the same 0.33 percentage as JZ.

The other stats stay the same.

You can't win titles scoring 70 and 80 points.

Unless you're implying that without Cael, PSU's best recruits would've gone to Iowa instead, thereby boosting Tom's stats? Okay, it's a theory, and not a bad one (e.g., Nolf). If you like, put asterisks next to Tom's stats, noting *These stats would be better if Nolf and Brooks and Retherford had wrestled for Iowa. I agree.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the stats are the stats.

The point is there would be more parity and while we would not have gotten all their recruits you have no idea how this shakes out on a national stage.

Your “stats” mean not much when looking at their entire career. Zalesky was very successful his first 3/4 years. How bout the last half? Averaging 4 dual losses per season and 5th place ncaa finish.

It was time for a change and there were coaches out there that they thought could get them back to the top….and did. Right now Iowa hasn’t fallen as far as then and PSU doesn’t look to be letting off the gas. I don’t think another staff could jump Iowa ahead.

Only your metrics say these two periods are close. Maybe Tom or was it Terry dropped you on your head once too often.

 

[HugoBear]

only my opinion…i think CS would of had similar success at ISU. When it comes down to it with recruiting, from a parent and as a young recruit, compare recruiting process between TT and CS. You can just see it in the difference between character and personality in interviews, bench/corner persona, professionalism…etc when sitting infront of a parent and athlete. Also CS builds a positive no drama culture. Dont think tt is on same level.

I know here in hawkland we love the intensity of tt. They certainly care and have a passion to develop the program at its highest level and grow the sport, but I think nationwide outside of Iowa the image that they perceive themselves in front of the media and in the corners is not a good look. I think athletes and parents and high school coaches. See a big difference there. I think that’s the biggest reasonCS captures top talent.

I’ll give you the fact that he’s in the middle of the hot bed of wrestling in this era. But I would also argue that one TNT got started the hot bed of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma. We’re very close.

He’s built a machine out there because of his wrestling expertise his coaching staff that he alone has developed and hired along with attracting top talent.

I just don’t see how we dig out of that advantage that they have now without TNT completely changing there personalities and training, structure or new leadership and start from scratch.

I was an athlete that was recruited. And I’ve also had children highly recruited so I’m coming from the perspective of an athlete and a parent that is sat in all those meetings.

2024 Wrestling All-Americans from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Oklahoma = 14
2024 Wrestling All-American from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York = 25

Nearly double, and I also agree with you that CS program / staff is a much better "look" to the parents of top recruits.

 

[ff141]

only my opinion…i think CS would of had similar success at ISU. When it comes down to it with recruiting, from a parent and as a young recruit, compare recruiting process between TT and CS. You can just see it in the difference between character and personality in interviews, bench/corner persona, professionalism…etc when sitting infront of a parent and athlete. Also CS builds a positive no drama culture. Dont think tt is on same level.

I know here in hawkland we love the intensity of tt. They certainly care and have a passion to develop the program at its highest level and grow the sport, but I think nationwide outside of Iowa the image that they perceive themselves in front of the media and in the corners is not a good look. I think athletes and parents and high school coaches. See a big difference there. I think that’s the biggest reasonCS captures top talent.

I’ll give you the fact that he’s in the middle of the hot bed of wrestling in this era. But I would also argue that one TNT got started the hot bed of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma. We’re very close.

He’s built a machine out there because of his wrestling expertise his coaching staff that he alone has developed and hired along with attracting top talent.

I just don’t see how we dig out of that advantage that they have now without TNT completely changing there personalities and training, structure or new leadership and start from scratch.

I was an athlete that was recruited. And I’ve also had children highly recruited so I’m coming from the perspective of an athlete and a parent that is sat in all those meetings.

The only thing I would disagree with is that he would have done as well and I don’t say this to discredit him. The day he went to PSU he had 4 eventual ncaa champs there or already recruited not counting what he was bringing. He rattled off what 4 in a row after year 1? How many does he win at ISU in those 5 years? Doubtful it’s 4.

And I can’t remember the dollar amounts but his initial RTC donor was outpacing everybody by a mile.

However he’s done the most with the most and I see him surpassing Gable.

 

[CatCoach]

That’s irrelevant. Everybody then had the same rules and everybody now does also. Both Groups had equal footing. If the tranfer portal wasn’t here now they would have recruited dif

But with the portal you have to ask, are they coming to Iowa for Brands or for the $$$? WOuld they go to IL, Ohio State, Miz or Mich if the money was equal or a little more? Back in Z's day you got a recruit because they wanted to wear the Black & Gold, but now you get a recruit because they want to wear the Black, Gold, and Green!
In the NFL they hate signing guys to big extended contracts, becasue they become fat & sassy, so to speak. They get there money and they loose they competitve edge.
Is this why you see so many high level transfers not do as well after they get their bag?
Not as much loyalty, fire or drive??

 

[TarpHawk]

The point is there would be more parity and while we would not have gotten all their recruits you have no idea how this shakes out on a national stage.

Your “stats” mean not much when looking at their entire career. Zalesky was very successful his first 3/4 years. How bout the last half? Averaging 4 dual losses per season and 5th place ncaa finish.

It was time for a change and there were coaches out there that they thought could get them back to the top….and did. Right now Iowa hasn’t fallen as far as then and PSU doesn’t look to be letting off the gas. I don’t think another staff could jump Iowa ahead.

Only your metrics say these two periods are close. Maybe Tom or was it Terry dropped you on your head once too often.

Let's agree to disagree before the name calling escalates.

 

[blcoach80]

We need to perform better on the big stage to entice more top tier recruits!! I think we do it this year.

If Iowa can get 3 into the finals and at least 1 champ this year that would be a huge plus regardless of the team score. Same with 2 champs and 2 or 3 in the finals. That is what Iowa/TnT need to accomplish this year over 2nd place in the team score imo. No finalists and no champs is not good enough regardless of how the team finishes this year.

 

[ff141]

But with the portal you have to ask, are they coming to Iowa for Brands or for the $$$? WOuld they go to IL, Ohio State, Miz or Mich if the money was equal or a little more? Back in Z's day you got a recruit because they wanted to wear the Black & Gold, but now you get a recruit because they want to wear the Black, Gold, and Green!
In the NFL they hate signing guys to big extended contracts, becasue they become fat & sassy, so to speak. They get there money and they loose they competitve edge.
Is this why you see so many high level transfers not do as well after they get their bag?
Not as much loyalty, fire or drive??

First all this is getting away from my original post which is the AD is Probly not sitting down with the coach telling him he better or else…

As far as the rest of it. Yes I’m sure many are doing it for money. Let’s not pretend that didn’t happen before. Haggling over scholarship, camp money, who has the best training situation…..and heaven forbid maybe some less than legal things.

Let’s not pretend the brands can’t recruit and coach. He won 3 championships with Iowa that believed enough in him and company to give up a year and PAY THEIR OWN WAY! Then the next title pre NIL…

 

[Nashville_Hawkeye]

If Iowa can get 3 into the finals and at least 1 champ this year that would be a huge plus regardless of the team score. Same with 2 champs and 2 or 3 in the finals. That is what Iowa/TnT need to accomplish this year over 2nd place in the team score imo. No finalists and no champs is not good enough regardless of how the team finishes this year.

Strongly concur with your assessment my friend!

 

[SJP80]

Yeah, a significant positive for me was watching Caliendo. I mean, he didn't just sit back and try to stall to stop from being scored on. He had many attempts to get behind MM. He also fought off a couple good shots. It was the first time I didn't see him as way weaker in their series. Yes, he lost, but that was definite progress.

Yes, easy to be impressed with Caliendo's adjustments from the dual. Now it will be interesting to see if TnT and Caliendo can make more adjustments to pull off the upset. Or will Cael and Mitchell adjust and win more comfortably?