Yes, his tanking classes to force a shirt was well known -- if not when he was declared ineligible, definitely as he left.
The fairly detailed section on Bubba was definitely interesting. I had known some of that before, but more information came out. I also thought it was handled well, with no one really being the bad guy. I think Bubba handled his comments about it well.Colucci has been covering the program. This is his best one yet by far. “Dynasties are tedious to cover” lol...
Jenkins: “me with my immaturity, and him with his greatness...”
Wasn't sure about that myself. It always feels as though when Gable gives Cael a hand pat it is with the back of his hand across Cael's cheek.
If you want to see where Iowa’s chest pounding and belittling nature comes from look no further than the idol of their wrestling program. Clearly it has worked extremely well for gable from competing to coaching. But a 180 from Cael’s humble and quiet approach.
Great article, Thanks. Associate athletic director, Jan Bortner spoke at one of the Williamsport Area Nittany Lion club's meetings around 2012 -13 and talked quite extensively about being involved in Cael's interview and hiring process.. He said it was a very secretive situation such as giving Cael a tour of the wrestling facilities and Rec Hall around 3:00 AM in the middle of the week. Jan said they had to be sensitive to Iowa State and the media frenzy that might occur if Cael was publicly seen on PSU's campus. He said it was a great home run hire that I agree with for sure. Jan also said Cael had visions of PSU wrestling matches being held primarily in the BJC but has come to love the awesome confines of Rec Hall and the fans on top of the mat type of atmosphere.
From what I can tell, Cold Smoke, he might sooner be out trout fishing with you.
Hard to imagine Cael wanting to do that level of fundraising, dealing with the internal and external politics of that job, being in front of the national football media, etc.
RossWB had a very large shovel, and kept digging...
Those takes by RossWB are a cautionary PSA on the dangers of making bold sports predictions. it's like uncorking an expensive bottle of wine only to find out it's aged into gasoline. Of course, the boldest, blue-sky predictions from the Penn State fans in the comments (including our own @jtothemfp) turned out to be scarily prescient. Good thing the comments are locked down because Penn State fans would be doing endless end zone dancing there.
Chickenman, I hope I am remembering this right but I think Big 10's were held at PSU in 2010, which was Cael's first year as the head coach. I remember Cael standing in the corner watching matches and the Iowa fans behind him were verbally gloating with every Hawkeye win and with every PSU loss. I'll bet Cael was thinking 'wait till next year', we'll be telling a different story then. Little did we know it would be 'wait till the next 10 years plus', I'm enjoying the ride!
Most coaches would be hard pressed to wrestle live in a D1 room with guys their own weight passing the age of ~ 40. After that, it’s a matter of how often you want to have surgeries. The 40+ body can’t take the physical pounding anymore.
Was the math correct when one billion Germans attacked the beaches of Pearl Harbor?
A non-wrestling side-note. Former Assoc AD Jan Bortner used to be a star tennis player for Penn State and a former women's and men's tennis coach at PSU. He has become quite the wrestling fan over the years. Even though he's retired, living in FL, I saw him at this year's NCAA's. A great guy!
The first article + comments are hilarious in how dismissive they were.
