Cyclones say they will work to keep Olympic champ in ISU family.
DAN McCOOL
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Ames, Ia. ” Whenever Bobby Douglas steps aside as coach of the Iowa State wrestling team, the question about Cael Sanderson’s head coaching future with the Cyclones seems more “when “than “if”.
Sanderson, the Cyclones’ associate head coach, said he wants the chance to replace Douglas – who will wrap up his 14th season this week at the NCAA championships in Oklahoma City.
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said the feeling is mutual.
“It’s everybody’s intent, at some point in time in the future, that Cael will be our head coach, “Pollard said.
Sanderson, 26, is in his first season as Douglas’ top assistant after finishing his Iowa State career as an undefeated, four-time NCAA champion and eventual 2004 Olympic freestyle gold medalist.
Pollard said Douglas is under contract through June 2008.
Douglas added that talks could happen sooner than that, and one long-term focus would be to keep Sanderson in Ames.
“We’re excited about our future, and in my opinion Cael Sanderson is the future, “said Douglas, who owns a 198-75-3 dual meet record at Iowa State. “There is no doubt in my mind that Cael Sanderson is the best fit for Iowa State at this time, but I’m not the person who is going to be making that hire.”
Sanderson helped Iowa State land the No. 1-ranked recruiting class last spring. He’s working on another strong class, anchored by Iowa four-time state champion T.J. Sebolt of Centerville and three-time champion Mark Kist of Eagle Grove along with Jon Reader of Davison (Mich.) High School, who just won his third state title.
“There are very few households that Cael Sanderson can not get into to make a pitch for Iowa State, “Douglas said. “His name is like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron – his name is kind of like Babe Ruth. When I was a kid and I heard (those names), those guys inspired me. I think kids feel the same way about Cael Sanderson.”
Sanderson said he hopes for the opportunity to remain on campus.
“I’m an alumnus here and I love Iowa State, “Sanderson said. “It’s been home for a long time, so Iowa State is obviously my first choice.”
What if the coaching position opened at another top-level NCAA Division I program?
Could Sanderson be lured away from Ames in the same way Iowa coaxed another Cyclone Olympic gold medalist, Dan Gable, to be an assistant to then-coach Gary Kurdelmeier three decades ago?
“I think I’d be crazy not to (listen), “Sanderson said. “Whether I go or not, that might be a different story, but I’m open. I’m pretty comfortable here – I don’t see leaving here. It would have to be something really special because Iowa State wrestling has been my life and it is my life right now.”
The debate about whether hiring a coach based on his athletic career is the best route, however, continues.
Minnesota coach J Robinson said wrestling needs to adopt the hiring mindset of big-time football and basketball, where the rushing leader or career scoring leader is not necessarily the next coach.
“Just because he’s a four-time (champion) and he was undefeated, it’s going to make him a better coach than (Virginia Tech head coach) Tom Brands or (Iowa assistant) Tim Hartung? “Robinson said. “If we want our sport to grow, don’t you think we should do it the same way? If you want to be like the big people, you’ve got to do what the big people do.”
The living-room presence of the man many believe to be the best college wrestler ever can sway a young man’s thinking.
“Someone of his caliber coming over and wanting you to wrestle for him, that makes your decision kind of easier, “said Iowa State freshman Mitch Mueller of Iowa City West, who also was recruited by Iowa. “You know he knows what he’s talking about when he shows moves and you know what he’s getting at.”
Kurt Backes, who will wrestle for Iowa State at 184 pounds in the NCAA championships, said Sanderson is his first choice as a workout partner.
“He can give you a look of 20 different wrestlers if he wants to, “Backes said. “He gets you tired, he makes you work for everything, he doesn’t let up. Drill or not drill, he’s valuable to me, more valuable than gold or diamonds. It’s just that simple.”
Sanderson said winning the gold medal in Athens was more than just achieving a boyhood dream.
“It was important for me to win a gold medal, not only because of my goal, but because that’s what I thought I needed to do to be a head coach some day, “Sanderson said. “Not that that’s a requirement, but in my mind, for me it was.”
Backes said Sanderson’s coaching days could be brighter than even those of the legendary Gable, who led Iowa to 15 NCAA championships in 21 seasons.
“People compare him to Gable, but I think he’ll be better than Gable, “Backes said. “He’s learning and he’s got one of the best coaches teaching him how to do everything.”
Sanderson said his first head coaching job will come when the time is right.
“Whether it’s at Iowa State or somewhere else, I’m not in any hurry to rush things, “Sanderson said. “I want to be ready… I still have a lot to learn.”
Pollard, the man who might hire the next Iowa State coach, said the university already has a goal, too.
“Our intention is that Cael Sanderson will be a Cyclone the rest of his life, “he said.
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