Ask Cael: Why did you choose the Penn State University wrestling head coach position ?

Story Published Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Question from Bob Hoover: Why did you choose the Penn State University wrestling head coach position ? I am happy you made this decision because I am a Penn State graduate and wrestling fan . Wade Schalles or Kerry McCoy or or others were on my wish list but I never thought PSU had a chance of getting you as head coach. I wrestled several matches on the Dubois Campus of PSU in 1951 and my other team members went on to wrestle on the PSU varsity and won the NCAA division I championships in 1953. What do you think of mixed martial arts ? Wade Schalles is in the Guinness Book Of World Records and I would like to know what you think of him. Thank You . Bob Hoover (PSU class of 1953 and 1961)

Hi Bob, It is great to hear from a PSU grad! Thanks for the email. I chose to take the PSU coaching job because the challenge and potential of the program. It was just a different opportunity. I had what I considered my “dream job” coaching my alma mater at Iowa State. But after I really thought about it and talked with my family and a few friends, I just felt compelled by the challenge of building a dynasty in the East.

I know that Iowa State will always be a great program and it will be a rare year that they aren’t in the hunt for the NCAA title. I think that building a powerhouse in the East will be great for our sport. I think my staff and I can build off the successes of the former coaches of PSU wrestling. All the pieces of the puzzle are there it is just a matter of putting everything together. Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York are the pinnacle of high school wrestling. It’s a recruiting hotbed. The love of wrestling is there. The strong desire for success is there. The support from the administration is there. The support from alumni and boosters is there. The big pieces are there. Of course every school has it’s own challenges but I believe Penn State can and will consistently challenge for the title. That’s why I chose to coach at Penn State.

I enjoy watching mma. I haven’t gotten into it too much just because I stay pretty busy. It is cool that wrestlers can take their skills and jump into a high profile profession. I try to follow the former wrestlers as much as possible.

I have only spoken to Wade Schalles a few times. He has been very nice. He is considered one of the very best college wrestlers of all time. He was supposed to be a monster on the mat.

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