ESPN.com news services,
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa State announced Friday that former Cyclone
wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson will replace coach
Bobby Douglas, who announced his retirement from coaching.
Meanwhile, Iowa fired coach Jim Zalesky and announced that the
school would move “quickly and efficiently “to name a replacement
after the team’s lowest finish in the Big Ten Championship in 39
years.
Douglas said his decision to step down was made to guarantee that
Sanderson, a 2004 Olympic champion and the only undefeated (159-0),
four-time NCAA champion, would take over as Cyclone head coach.
“The future of ISU wrestling is what I care about most. “Douglas
said in a statement released by the school. “I wanted to ensure that
Cael Sanderson was that future. It is what fueled my decision to
step down.”
Sanderson said the chance to coach at his alma mater was a “dream
come true.”
“I’m introduced today as Iowa State’s wrestling coach because of the
selfless sacrifices of my college coach, Bobby Douglas, “Sanderson
said in a statement. “I promise to work as hard as I did as a
competitor to build upon the traditions I’ve inherited as head
coach. Iowa State University is a special place to our family. I’m
humbled and excited at the same time about my opportunity.”
Douglas will remain with the ISU athletics department as an
assistant athletics director.
The university also announced the establishment of an endowed
scholarship in Douglas’ name to honor the Hall of Fame coach.
Iowa athletic director Bob Bowlsby announced Wednesday that coach
Zalesky, who replaced Dan Gable at Iowa in 1997 and won national
titles his first three seasons, will be replaced.
“I want to thank Jim and his staff for their efforts and I want to
acknowledge the success they have helped to achieve, “Bowlsby said
in a statement. “Unfortunately, at this point in time it is not
arguable that we are making the kind of progress that will once
again place our program among the elite in the sport.”
Bowlsby said the search for his replacement will begin immediately.
Zalesky led Iowa to national runners-up finishes in 2001 and 2004.
But in 2006, Iowa failed to produce an individual champion in the
Big Ten or NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. Iowa
finished 11-7 in dual meets this season and placed sixth at the Big
Ten championships, its lowest showing since 1967.
Zalesky was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in
2004. He was a four-time All-American and a three-time NCAA champion
for the Hawkeyes from 1981-84.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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