Tom Brands is easily rated as one of the top intensity wrestlers this sport has ever seen. His work ethic has rarely, if ever, been matched on the mat. In college, Brands was a force for the Iowa Hawkeyes, capturing the "Gablesque" mentality of the sport by constantly attacking and putting pressure on his opponents. Tom Brands was a four time All-American and three time NCAA national champion in college. He built off his collegiate success and competed for the U.S. in freestyle. Brands won the Gold medal at both the World Championships in 1993 and at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.He continues today as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeye program to lead the new generation of Iowa wrestlers.
Iowa Wrestling Coach Tom Brands On John Smith: 'He's Not Normal'
Feb 22, 2024
Iowa coach Tom Brands reflects on his relationship with John Smith during this 2019 interview before the Iowa-Oklahoma State dual in Stillwater. He discusses his college match with Chris Owens and learning about John Smith before facing him at the 1991 US Open.