From the University of Iowa Department of Athletics
Dan Gable wouldn’t commit last spring to how long his stint as an Iowa assistant wrestling coach would last.
He said he might be around for a few months or maybe a few years, but it certainly wasn’t a long-term deal.
“It’s not like I’m going to be on the staff for 14 years or something,” Gable said last April on the night before he officially became the top assistant for new coach Tom Brands. “If I’m effective and doing what he needs me to do, I think I’ll be on there. As soon as it’s better for somebody else, then they can move to get somebody else. It’s kind of a win-win situation.”
Gable’s tenure as an assistant coach to Brands came to a close Friday when Iowa officials released a statement saying the coaching legend was going through a title change.
“I was more in an advisory role and there were a lot of duties as an assistant coach that probably didn’t get done,” Gable said Friday. “We think this will have the same value and some of those duties that need to get done will get done now.”
Brands said in the statement that Gable would remain engaged in day-to-day operations of the program, but without the title or on-the-mat responsibilities that come with the title of assistant coach.
“Dan has been my coach and my mentor,” Brands said in the news release. “What’s important to me is that he’s going to remain involved in the Hawkeye wrestling program and will continue to play a significant role as we continue to make progress toward the goal of domination.”
Gable led the Hawkeyes to dominance during his 21 seasons as head coach. He retired in 1997 after Iowa set an NCAA meet point record while claiming its 15th national championship under his watch. Iowa also won the Big Ten title 21 straight seasons under Gable.
“Tom wants to maximize resources,” Gable said. “He doesn’t want to lose any effect on the program right now. He doesn’t really want a chance, only a change to enhance.”
Gable said he will have responsibilities with on-campus recruiting, summer camps, working with post-collegiate athletes training in the Hawkeye Wrestling Club and other duties that are within NCAA guidelines for someone who isn’t a full-time assistant.
“My assistant coach’s role was always temporary and I’m not going anywhere,” Gable said. “I’ll be directly involved in our wrestling program as much as NCAA rules allow me to be.”
Brands said in the statement that he has no timetable for the hiring of a full-time assistant coach.
“I have great guys around me, including coach Gable,” Brands said in the statement. “They are all totally committed. At some point down the road, we’ll get the position filled with someone who shares my commitment to developing young student-athletes to win championships.”
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