What I learned at NCAAs this weekend

[Fan In Black]

Your posts are always my favorite but I can't put my finger on why ...

is it Trish Status? 🤣

I worshiped the twins growing up, been a season ticket holder since graduating ( 29 years), a HWC contributer, and have been patient. But it's been a lot of years of the same issues. A lot of them. starting with the 2010 reload class and the years that followed.

I thought the light went on after Larry Lee's binder but it went back to the mean. I have a hard time believing they are ever going to change.

The gambling issue is a straw man IMO. It doesn't change anything. A full roster would mean more of what is the norm.

And I'm not talking about beating PSU. I'm talking about having a roster with more than 1 or 2 fringe finalist and 5 fringe AAs, and 3 holes.

We have seen this for more years than we have not. They don't seem to have the answer.

 

[el dub]

And I told myself this morning, wrestling season is over, cancel B1G+, cancel ESPN+, take a little break from the message boards. But here I am on a workday afternoon...refresh page, refresh page...

You must not watch any UFC related events. ESPN+ has been grate for that coverage.

 

[Pennstate1985]

You must not watch any UFC related events. ESPN+ has been grate for that coverage.

that may be grate for you, but you always great on my nerves...

 

[The-Dude-Abides]

I don't think there are any AWA guys at Michigan, either.

Indeed, but the point was the criticism directed solely at Iowa. Even look at his on Mizzou. Outside of KOT, much of the same could be said for them.

 

[cheaptilt42]

I get it, but it's not a tenable situation under Brands.

I do think this might be a little overstated too. He already runs a large business. His wife runs another business. They own a farm with prize animals, which I think counts as a third business. I think DT could probably learn the admin ropes pretty quickly

The only way I would like this is if Nolf and Spencer were on staff also.
I will believe any of this when I see it, till that happens its all BS

I'd take that coaching staff in a second.

 

[cheaptilt42]

His top assistant would likely be his brother in law Jimmy Kennedy.

Some combination of Dake, Gilman, Zain/Nolf would come. And he'd likely get some guys from the RTC.

Gotta keep Spencer in the HWC thru 28 and then add him to the staff.

 

[HawkeyeFever62]

You must not watch any UFC related events. ESPN+ has been grate for that coverage.

Can't get into UFC. It does nothing for me.

 

[cheaptilt42]

This is hard to believe as we are building a $35M facility dedicated solely to the wrestling program. A project funded solely on private gifts.

We have millionaires funding us and they have a couple billionaires. Definitely not apples to apples in the $ department.

 

[Hawkgma]

We have millionaires funding us and they have a couple billionaires. Definitely not apples to apples in the $ department.

Couple of billionaires??? I don’t think Ira is worth that much. He is just willing to spend it all on PSU. I think that’s more or Toms insinuating they have multi Billionaires…

 

[cheaptilt42]

Couple of billionaires??? I don’t think Ira is worth that much. He is just willing to spend it all on PSU. I think that’s more or Toms insinuating they have multi Billionaires…

They have another pretty silent donor who gives huge $ to football, but also supports wrestling. Saw a stat on Flo about yearly budgets of wrestling clubs. At the time HWC budget was running on a little over 500K (2nd highest) and the NLWC was running on over $10 million. This was a year or two ago.

 

[Hawkgma]

They have another pretty silent donor who gives huge $ to football, but also supports wrestling. Saw a stat on Flo about yearly budgets of wrestling clubs. At the time HWC budget was running on a little over 500K (2nd highest) and the NLWC was running on over $10 million. This was a year or two ago.

Mother Fers!!!

 

[Multi-Hawk]

Couple of billionaires??? I don’t think Ira is worth that much. He is just willing to spend it all on PSU. I think that’s more or Toms insinuating they have multi Billionaires…

Ira was just the catalyst. Per Ira, there are a handful more.

 

[MVPFAN]

IF…and I mean IF this were to happen, I would bet money that it would happen something like this:

DT goes straight to the HC. Since he has no experience, his top assistant would be somebody very seasoned with experience running a program. Somebody in the last couple years of their career, or maybe even somebody coming out of retirement.

This experienced top assistant would stick around for just a few years to help DT learn the ropes, and then he would retire to make room for Spencer Lee.

I would have absolutely zero concerns with him having the ability to run the program from day 1.

 

[OneRoughneck]

What a weekend. While it wasn't the best for the Hawks - I still love talking to the best fans of the world's oldest and gratest! Let's run it down shall we!

Lineup:

125: Ayala
133 - Peterson/portal
141 - Portal
149 - Block
157 - Caliendo/Siebrecht
165 - PK
174 - Arnold
184 - Brands
197 - Glazier
285 - Kueter/Hill

Biggest surprise for me is Block at 149. But it looks like he'll be the man. Right now the plan is Caliendo to 157 (edited to add Siebrecht as well at 157) to get PK in the lineup. Brands medical was approved. AJ - somehow, yuck, - is still in the plans, but it sounds like he's just going to move on to MMA. Anthony is still around and is still a troublemaker. Why he's still around is absolutely absurd and when he does something worse, it's going to be on Tom.

There is no talk about changes to assistant. Like Wahlberg said - assistants are just extensions of Tom. Period. I think its short-sighted, arrogant, and at this point, just plain negligent, but hey, dems the breaks.

Sorry acuhawk - Tom's practices on a general basis are NOT 45-60 minutes. They are towards the end of the season, and certainly happen earlier than they used to, but that is not the typical practice time. But the practice time isn't really the biggest deal - it's still the intensity. Still long goes, still far more on the "dark places" track.

Now the biggie - yes. Kyven was right. The AD has plans to talk to DT. She is dead serious about WINNING chips again. She's not particularly happy with Tom at the moment. The gambling, the ferrari situation, and this performance - she's holding Tom accountable and will be looking to do what will have us beat carl. She is VERY AWARE of the legacy of Iowa wrestling and how we're falling further behind. Like I told you earlier, she shut down AJ coming in in January - she's not a fan and isn't a fan of Tom's decision to bring the circus in. She also told Tom to get a hold of Terry - it's why he's been "less" in the corners.

Now how this got out? Not sure, but it likely means there are Tom loyalists who wanted it leaked. Because the plan was to wait until after the Olympics to talk to DT. So now that its out, not sure if this will accelerate talks or stop them completely.

I find it interesting that Big Ten schools would be interested in Taylor or Askren. There is a lot more to running a big time D1 program than teaching technique. Personally, I would feel more comfortable with a proven commodity.

 

[artradley]

I find it interesting that Big Ten schools would be interested in Taylor or Askren. There is a lot more to running a big time D1 program than teaching technique. Personally, I would feel more comfortable with a proven commodity.

Recruiting is probably the single most important factor to success.

 

[lrtbahawk]

They have another pretty silent donor who gives huge $ to football, but also supports wrestling. Saw a stat on Flo about yearly budgets of wrestling clubs. At the time HWC budget was running on a little over 500K (2nd highest) and the NLWC was running on over $10 million. This was a year or two ago.

But Wahlburg thinks we should be able to fight for first place all the time. Its apples to oranges when it comes to money.

 

[Bold_Crow]

But Wahlburg thinks we should be able to fight for first place all the time. Its apples to oranges when it comes to money.

Go be a fan of another program if you don't expect to be in contention every year.

 

[ff141]

I find it interesting that Big Ten schools would be interested in Taylor or Askren. There is a lot more to running a big time D1 program than teaching technique. Personally, I would feel more comfortable with a proven commodity.

I would have said the same thing 2-3 years ago. But these guys are in their mid 30s now and are running successful businesses in their academies. Add with that their recruits are coming in to college contending for titles. So if they aren’t teaching the techniques they are recruiting the best kids in. I doubt fundraising would be a big issue for them either.

 

[Agoodnap]

Does anyone know a big Iowa wrestling donor that has a big mouth? Hmm, I wonder who it could be...

 

[wahlberg]

But Wahlburg thinks we should be able to fight for first place all the time. It’s apples to oranges when it comes to money.

Yes, I do.

 

[The-Dude-Abides]

I would have absolutely zero concerns with him having the ability to run the program from day 1.

Agreed. All complete speculation at this point, but DT seems like a guy who can figure out the game pretty darn quick if any of this ever came to pass. If so, it might be prudent to hire an assistant with some D1 experience to help navigate the compliance/admin/PR side of things, but I think he could bring the direct coaching goods from day one.

 

[lrtbahawk]

Go be a fan of another program if you don't expect to be in contention every year.

No. I just wish some of you would face the facts that its not possible to compete when the money is that lop sided.

 

[wahlberg]

No. I just wish some of you would face the facts that its not possible to compete when the money is that lop sided.

 

[globalhawk]

No. I just wish some of you would face the facts that its not possible to compete when the money is that lop sided.

 

[Bold_Crow]

No. I just wish some of you would face the facts that its not possible to compete when the money is that lop sided.

We finished 5th this year behind schools we have 2x the amount of money than they do. It's only about money till you're looking for an excuse.

 

[SPOONER]

No. I just wish some of you would face the facts that its not possible to compete when the money is that lop sided.

Is Iowa optimizing the return on the money they spend?

 

[el dub]

But Wahlburg thinks we should be able to fight for first place all the time. Its apples to oranges when it comes to money.

Did you read what you just posted? More excuses.

 

[MilleGinja]

Is Iowa optimizing the return on the money they spend?

Based on the number quoted for 4th and 8th place finishers this season, I’m going to say no.

 

[el dub]

Based on the number quoted for 4th and 8th place finishers this season, I’m going to say no.

Two fiddy?

 

[el dub]

that may be grate for you, but you always great on my nerves...

So, that’s the way it’s gonna bee?

 

[Trapper85]

Big nuts Beth

It may be sexist to assume nuts are needed to be bold and strong. Maybe go with Big b00bs Beth (Triple B) or Big ovaries Beth (Bob). Just trying to save you some trouble later.

 

[Trapper85]

My apologies. name calling not needed. But I think you might be surprised about who the biggest "donor" actually is.

@IRONBIRD?

 

[MadTown Hawk]

Yes, I do.

I agree with Wahlberg. The ironic thing is, the more elite the recruit, the less they care about NIL. The elite athletes are hyper competitive and want to be in the situation where they are most likely to win NCAA championships and gold medals. Money doesn’t buy that.

This article talks about Mesenbrink’s thinking when he chose PSU:

https://www.flowrestling.org/articl...commiting-to-penn-state-next-years-lineup-nil

Items to note about his decision:

1). His decision was 0.1% based on NIL.
2). He wanted a good team culture.
3). He didn’t want a training regime with too much live wrestling. From what I have heard, this essentially excluded Iowa from consideration.
4). He liked the focus on performance over winning and being a good person.
5). He trusted that the coaches will help him reach his highest potential.

 

[Flying_Tiger]

They have another pretty silent donor who gives huge $ to football, but also supports wrestling. Saw a stat on Flo about yearly budgets of wrestling clubs. At the time HWC budget was running on a little over 500K (2nd highest) and the NLWC was running on over $10 million. This was a year or two ago.

But Wahlburg thinks we should be able to fight for first place all the time. Its apples to oranges when it comes to money.

Certainly an advantage when trying to attract post graduates with international aspirations but none of that money can go to the college wrestlers. That's where NIL money comes in and I can assure you Iowa has lots of it. I suspect Iowa has spent more on NIL than PSU over the past few years, not to mention the donation of millions more for the new facility. As a few of your posters have alluded to, Iowa has deep pockets.

 

[vhsalum]

Certainly an advantage when trying to attract post graduates with international aspirations but none of that money can go to the college wrestlers. That's where NIL money comes in and I can assure you Iowa has lots of it. I suspect Iowa has spent more on NIL than PSU over the past few years, not to mention the donation of millions more for the new facility. As a few of your posters have alluded to, Iowa has deep pockets.

Deep. And here's the thing - Tom doesn't really care about the RTC. At least, not in the way Carl does.

He's not really interested in bringing guys in that aren't hawks, unless, stop me if you've heard this before, they WANT to become "hawks." The Dardanes twins? wanted in.

 

[Hawkgma]

We finished 5th this year behind schools we have 2x the amount of money than they do. It's only about money till you're looking for an excuse.

 

[cheaptilt42]

Certainly an advantage when trying to attract post graduates with international aspirations but none of that money can go to the college wrestlers. That's where NIL money comes in and I can assure you Iowa has lots of it. I suspect Iowa has spent more on NIL than PSU over the past few years, not to mention the donation of millions more for the new facility. As a few of your posters have alluded to, Iowa has deep pockets.

That $ eventually does go to the college kids. Thye take small scholarships, pay for the rest of school with loans and then upon graduation those loans get paid...and not by the wrestler. Happens at Michigan as well.

 

[lrtbahawk]

We finished 5th this year behind schools we have 2x the amount of money than they do. It's only about money till you're looking for an excuse.

Did those schools lose 3 starters?

 

[Greenheadhawk]

https://www.flowrestling.org/articl...nning-finances-at-nittany-lion-wrestling-club Granted this article was almost 10 years ago but I doubt that the disparity has lessened much.

 

[GlenHawk]

That $ eventually does go to the college kids. Thye take small scholarships, pay for the rest of school with loans and then upon graduation those loans get paid...and not by the wrestler. Happens at Michigan as well.

Then Iowa should start using the same model, as it appears to be working lol.