By Mike Finn, W.I.N. Editor
Dan Gable, the highest profiled assistant coach in Div. I wrestling, could hardly be found matside during the recent Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill.
Except for a few hours on the second day of the 44th annual event at Northwestern, the former and legendary collegiate Hawkeye coach spent most of his time in the upper deck of Welsh-Ryan Arena the last weekend of December.
“This is my coaching philosophy,” said Gable, who made national news last summer when he agreed to become an assistant coach to Tom Brands, his former NCAA champion, who became Iowa’s head coach a few months earlier. “It goes back to my head coaching days. Usually in early-season tournaments I would stay up and witness what’s going on.
“I haven’t been out there for nine years so some of my best coaching comes from me observing and being able to play that role; by knowing how to coach by adding on to someone’s style or coach against someone else’s style. I’m still learning about these athletes and what makes them tick. I’m also learning about other athletes I have not seen or studied. I needed an education.”
This coaching connection, which united the 38-year-old Brands with his 58-year-old mentor, has been a learning process for everyone in the Iowa wrestling room, which gets a lot more emotional than in years past.
“The intensity level is way higher,” said 174-pound senior Eric Luedke. “Coach Gable is very mental and gives you an edge mentally. We don’t screw off as much. No one goes out during the season. Everyone goes to study hall. I bet our GPA went from a 2.1 to 2.8. They are on top of everything.”
“It’s about communication, more than anything,” Brands said. “It’s a good coach relationship and you cannot forget the other part of the equation: (fellow assistants Doug) Schwab and (Wes) Hand. We have a good thing going in terms of personnel working together and interacting.”
Considering Gable was the one who first brought Brands to Iowa in the late 1980s as a recruit in Gable’s 21-year career (1976-97) that saw Iowa win 15 NCAA team championships, Gable is now the one who is following his former wrestler’s lead.

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