After Sarah Hildebrandt claimed gold for the USA in the women’s 50kg category, hold your flashlights to welcome Spencer Lee. “I feel good,“ said Lee, one of the upcoming best talents from the country, ready to go head-to-head against China’s Zou Wanhao. Determined to make a mark, Lee competes in the 57kg category. So, one can expect fireworks from the talented American. But, the man behind his success is, of course, Iowa’s own Tom Brands. 

Over the years, the sensational coach has developed some of the best wrestlers in the world, which is why he remains confident in Lee’s claim to the gold medal. But who exactly is Tom Brands, and why is there so much buzz about the superstar coach from Iowa?

Meet Spencer Lee’s Iowa coach, Tom Brands

With a college record of 98 won and six lost, he took home gold at the NCAA Division I and Big Ten Championships three times. With the wrestling matches coming in thick and fast, Brands wants his pupils to focus. “It’s time to perform. Zero hour is upon us, to use a term from (legendary Iowa Coach Dan) Gable. It’s coming quick. It’s certainly important to our program.”

Spencer Lee looks to defeat his opponent and advance to the next round. And his coach wants him to go all in. Brands mentioned, “We’re not just throwing our hat in the ring. I can say that and not freak Spencer Lee out. He’s there to perform and we love that.” Thus, Tom Brands is locked in. Likewise, the coach enjoys a legacy like none other. 

Significantly, Tom Brands, a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and three-time NWCA Coach of the Year, was in his 17th year as a wrestling coach at the University of Iowa during the 2022-23 season. He won gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, which marked the beginning of his illustrious coaching career. In addition to his Olympic gold, Brands is a member of the Wrestling Hall of Fame. He is also the eighth head wrestling coach in the history of the University of Iowa.

The wrestler became a four-time All-American and a three-time national champion at Iowa. Likewise, his overall record of 265-25-1 (.912) and 127-12 (.914) in Big Ten coaching at Iowa stand out as some of the best in the sport. For years, he has developed and nurtured top wrestlers in competition. His coaching career speaks volumes about his stature, especially in motivating wrestlers like Spencer Lee!

Learn about the iconic coaching career of Iowa HC, Brands

Not all wrestling coaches make it to the top, but Brands stands a cut above the rest. To go along with that, he won 13 NCAA Champions, 25 Big Ten Champions, and 100 All-Americans. In another purple feather to his cap, the Hawkeyes have qualified 158 wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in the last 17 years.

Apart from that, he was named the NWCA National Coach of the Year three times, showcasing the top-notch coaching he gives to his students. A string of accolades marked his coaching career, including consecutive Big Ten Coach of the Year titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2020, and 2021. In a striking snippet, he is the only coach to win the award five times. It speaks about the quality he has!

All in all, he is one of the best coaches in the US Wrestling scenario. Do you think he can lead Spencer Lee to a gold medal?