Zalesky back to work

[IowaHawkeye]

I read this in the paper today, and thought Iowa fans may enjoy the read. Zalesky will always have a place in Iowa fans hearts... unfortunately when you follow someone the likes of Gable who won 21 Conferance championships and 15 National Championships in 21 years it's not easy to live up to expectations. Even though Zalesky had 3 National Championships while coaching at Iowa 98,99,00 he wasn't able to get over a 7-5 mark his final season at the helm. With the teams in the Big 10 continuing to improve Iowa was forced to make a move... the reasoning might be surprising though. Great Read... and I wish him the best out here at OSU where the wrestling tradition is also strong, all be it not Iowa, he's hoping to bring back the magic to the mat.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports/117229112614320.xml&coll=7

[HawkeyeSean]

Nice article about Zalesky. I wish him luck at OSU, and it sounds as though he is already doing a lot of good things for their program. That said, however, it was time to make a change in the room at Iowa and I am extremely pleased that we have Tommy Brands working for us again. I am not sure that I buy the, "it's all Gable's fault" thing. My understanding was that if Iowa didn't go out and get Brands when they did that he was probably going to take the head coaching gig at Ohio State. That would not have set well with any Iowa wrestling fans and that is what I believe led to the timing of Zalesky's exodus.

-Sean

[IowaHawkeye]

Nice article about Zalesky. I wish him luck at OSU, and it sounds as though he is already doing a lot of good things for their program. That said, however, it was time to make a change in the room at Iowa and I am extremely pleased that we have Tommy Brands working for us again. I am not sure that I buy the, "it's all Gable's fault" thing. My understanding was that if Iowa didn't go out and get Brands when they did that he was probably going to take the head coaching gig at Ohio State. That would not have set well with any Iowa wrestling fans and that is what I believe led to the timing of Zalesky's exodus.

-Sean

I hear ya, it just goes to show that no matter the program or the tradition... Iowa just like any other school believes in the what have you done for me lately philosophy.

I mean his worst season was 05-06 and that withstanding they still placed 4th in NCAA. Yeah the other teams around the BT were getting stronger, but it was hardly do to Zalesky not pushing the envelope. We coninued to get 4-5 all americans even in the final two years with zalesky...just no big ten champions/ncaa champions. I'm not saying that makig the move wasn't in the best interest of the University, sometimes changes like that need to be made... it's just great to see him land on his feet. He was after all one of the greatest wrestlers this state has ever seen. With an 89 match undefeated streak to wrap up his career at Iowa and he was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Decade of the 80's. I just dont' feel he would have these feelings if he didn't really feel they were true, and I wouldn't put it past gable to want "more" after watching "zero" champions come from the Hawkeyes his past two years ;)

I'm super psyched we have Brands and Gable, and I wish Zalesky the best, I had no clue he was even coaching out here... you see wrestling is not most peoples cup of tea so to speak, out here at least. Now that I know a former all-american hawkeye is working his magic out here though I'm gonna do my best to support him though... since I can't watch the hawkeyes but on T.V. I'll see if it's possible to attend a match at some point and get some photographs.