Lets Break it down

[00clone]

I'm another 'never posted in wrestling before' guy, but my question is why everyone's talking about KJ. What's Kevin Johnson got to do with ISU wrestling?

*edit* Normally I don't post in wrestling because I don't follow it, but this whole thing started with such a boat load of fail, I figgered it wouldn't hurt...back to my normal haunts.

 

[mikewdm]

If ISU does not get a win this year, will all of these pro-Jackson posters still be coming to these boards to defend him? I hope that I am wrong but best case scenario for this year is 1-14 or maybe 2-13. As good as the new kids that are signed for next year are, all of them will likely redshirt next year right? I don't remember Kevin Jackson saying that he had a five year plan to bring Iowa State back to being competitive. If I had heard this from him when he was hired I would have thought that he was the wrong choice as a coach.

 

[acoustimac]

One word for the Queso dip about Brands- NO.

 

[leroycyclone]

Awesome. More people who have never posted about wrestling until now. Where were all you guys when the team was winning? Nowhere.

The wrestling program is ISU sports. The wrestling team has been a constant at ISU; constantly winning individual and team championships. ISU wrestling has been a significant Olympic team contributor.

The Varner, Zabriskie and Reader NCAA championships in Spring 2010 and Spring 2011 were the base for the coming years. At 0-8 in Fall/Winter 2011, I don't see the results.

It is safe to state that Jamie is constantly evaluating the wrestling team results. The wrestling team will be moving into a dedicated training facility near the football stadium next year. That is a result of Jamie's efforts to upgrade all sports facilities. Jamie will not commit money to wrestling to have the team not live up to ISU standards.

Jamie is all about winning and wrestling is a big part of ISU sports. If the wrestling team does not win, Jamie will act.

 

[wesley_w]

The wrestling program is ISU sports. The wrestling team has been a constant at ISU; constantly winning individual and team championships. ISU wrestling has been a significant Olympic team contributor.

The Varner, Zabriskie and Reader NCAA championships in Spring 2010 and Spring 2011 were the base for the coming years. At 0-8 in Fall/Winter 2011, I don't see the results.

It is safe to state that Jamie is constantly evaluating the wrestling team results. The wrestling team will be moving into a dedicated training facility near the football stadium next year. That is a result of Jamie's efforts to upgrade all sports facilities. Jamie will not commit money to wrestling to have the team not live up to ISU standards.

Jamie is all about winning and wrestling is a big part of ISU sports. If the wrestling team does not win, Jamie will act.

Is that part true?? I hadn't heard anything about this.

 

[theshadow]

The Varner, Zabriskie and Reader NCAA championships in Spring 2010 and Spring 2011 were the base for the coming years. At 0-8 in Fall/Winter 2011, I don't see the results.

You missed my point entirely. The people lining up to take shots at Jackson and the team now were never around to voice their support when the team was doing well.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Is that part true?? I hadn't heard anything about this.

They may get space in the Jacobson Athletic Building when the new football facility opens. IIRC. Anything more than that would be news to everyone.

 

[Knownothing]

Have you seen the chicks on the Volleyball team. Wow. Smokin hot.

 

[jahfg]

Just asking... How long does it take for any die hard ISU fan, to admit that a coach in their favorite sport, might not be the answer?

I defended McDermott to the very end. It's starting to look like KJ is falling into the same category.

Like any sport you hear "wait till their recruits arrive". Well, so far we are seeing very little from the majority of them. It would be encouraging to see some fight from these guys, but we aren't. Yes I know they are young. But there has been no development in them, especially the light weights from last year to this year.

Another thing you don't see, are former wrestlers sticking around like they did in years past to train and help the program. I really believe this hurts a lot. I know the last couple of classes that graduated were brought in by Cael, but where is the love for the program.

Not true. Reader, Zabriskie, and both the Paulsons are still around. There are a lot of fans that are frustrated by the results but are ignorant of the situation KJ inherited. There just isn't enough evidence yet to put the blame on KJ. No one would be winning with the lineups he's had to put out there the last two seasons. This year is going to be tough. That isn't going to change all season so melting down after every meet serves no purpose. Pay attention to the individual wrestlers on the team, track their progress, educate yourself. Looking at the box scores and screaming for the coach's head is only putting the program in a bigger hole. With the recruits KJ have brought/are bringing in, I'm confident this will be turned around. When KJ had some talent, we finished third with two national champions. They weren't his recruits, but it does look like KJ has the ability to recruit top level talent (Finch, Meeks, McCauley, Moreno). I'm not saying he is a great coach, but I think he deserves a shot to get a foundation with his own recruits. Right now, those guys are too young to carry a program.

 

[Judoka]

Not true. Reader, Zabriskie, and both the Paulsons are still around.

Yeah, every single one of our elite athletes other than Varner has stuck around and voiced support for KJ helping to bring them to another level. Whatever KJs failing might be, not being able to take high level guys to another level is not one of them.

 

[mikewdm]

We would have 2-3 wins had we not been forced to forfeit weights in the first meets of the season.

queso is a ****, and has a hard on for KJ (pun intended). It's funny how he mentions how many points we lost due to Cyler leaving to wrestle for his brother. Meeks dad has threatened to confront him, but somehow he stopped going to meets. Pretty funny.

To answer Bellzu, there has to be a point of accountability, and that time is coming. BUT, that time is 2-3 years from now.

This program was all upper classmen with no real depth. Once that first group left, it was like starting from scratch. The recruiting has gotten better, and in two years, we should see a top 8-10 finish, with top 5 the next year.

I know you are an expert and all, but are you kidding 2-3 more years? One more year of this and the home attendance for a wrestling duel will be a total of about 10. Maybe you are the one with a HO for KJ.

 

[lagranqueso]

Queso why would Terry Brands want to clean up KJ's mess? Don't you think he got tired of doing that at the OTC?


KJ said at his first press conference that he would get the guys he needed so there wouldn't be a gap year. Well congrats KJ we are on gap year number 2.


KJ also said Cael left a gold mine at Iowa State and KJ lead us to 3rd.
How come KJ never took any fault in making Nick Gallick wrestle vs Iowa when he wasn't clear to wrestle which resulted in him being reinjured. Or how Nick Fanthorpe and Mitch Mueller didn't get any better during their senior years? When is KJ going to address the lack of toughness in his guys? I am really impressed with the techniques and tactics KJ has taught to his guys when it comes to mat wrestling.


For the people who blame this season on starting all the freshman take a look at Ohio State. They are currently starting 5 true freshman and 2 red-shirt freshman and they are undefeated in duals with a 36-3 win over power house Old Dominion and won the Cliff Keen Invitational.

We wouldn't be starting freshman at 133 and 141 if KJ hadn't gotten rid of Tyler Clark, Dalton Jensen, and Anthony Valles. Why would Tyler Clark want to stay when KJ gives the starting job to Andrew Long after watching them workout once. Would you blame a kid like Dalton Jensen for leaving after KJ cut his scholarship money only to benfit KJ. Dalton might not have been a world beater but he was a kid who bust his but and did everything asked, but KJ didn't believe in him.

I imagine Cozart and Goetti will be the next one's who get there scholarship money slashed without any say in it. It doesn't matter no more Brandon Florida kids will give Iowa State a look anyway with KJ ruining the program.


We all know KJ can recruit with the best of them since he recruited Steve Mocco and Bill Zadick to the OTC and could barely offer them anything. I wonder why Mocco followed Terry Brands after the Olympics for a couple of years instead of continuing his training with KJ and why Bill Zadick didn't want to coach with KJ and Yero. KJ's name carries no weight in states like Ohio or Pennsylvania and we were never in the running for Taylor Massa unlike people around hear like to think.

I mean who wouldn't want to wrestle for KJ. Look at his opening press confence he said he was a better coach than Sanderson because he was older and a little heavier than him. Okay coach sign me up I will run through a wall for you after answers like that.


My christmas present to KJ will be a Iowa State wrestling media guide so he can learn his wrestlers names and not refer to Shayden as Hawaiian kid. If he learns their names maybe that will fill in some of the ums.

Bravo Bravo I'm just speechless by this post. The accuracy, sentence structure, flow, details are spot on. I must admit I got a HO reading this. Thank you Goldrush for you stepping up and not letting these cyber cybullies make you feel you can't state your opinion and thoughts. Please bring more as everything you said was dead on.

Some things you forgot to mention: Readers junior year he lost at Big XIIs in which KJ was ****** because "he cost me my bonus" or how KJ refuses to donate to the CWC because he has already given enough to the program as an athlete and coach (I mean who wouldn't want to invest into their own business or company knowing your investment would benefit the business/program. Also if the head coach isn't willing to join the CWC but encourage others to why would they?).

I think or I know I would not be upset with KJ if it wasn't for KJ running his mouth telling us what's going to happen or making predictions of guys or the team only to not live up to or meet the expectations. Sure you can say you love the fire or attitude he brings but when you aren't even doing what you are saying you will makes me ****** more than anything as the saying goes don't tell me what you are going to do DO IT! Cyclone wrestling has high expectations you don't have to tell me anything I don't already expect BUT now we are having the coach telling us about how he is going to make his critics eat it and prove them/me wrong. When's the last time you see a coach call out his critics if he is than he is too worried about what's going on outside the room instead of focusing on his guys. Lesson one coach don't worry about the critics put your guys who committed to the program FIRST instead of yourself.

 

[cygrads]

For all you people out there that just can't get it, let me break this down for you, since some of your unsupportive, bad mouthing, cant get it minds can understand a little bit!
!

Thanks for the summary - I don't follow very closely but wondered what was wrong. Sounds like this year - tough as it will be will pay dividends in the next few years.

 

[lagranqueso]

People have asked what I expect or want from a coach.

Being able to motivate his athletes to succeed: TB has it, John Smith has it, Rob Koll has it, J Rob has it, DAN GABLE INVENTED IT!

Nurture relationships: Important to have a great relationship with your athletes in and outside the room. A great relationship between athlete/coach will improve the athlete to compete harder, give more, etc. Having a coach who cares not only about developing their athlete in the sport but as well as in life. A great coach cares about what's going on with their athlete day-to-day. It is important to know that a coach has our best interest in mind in all areas. Again look at the best coaches in the country and they have this. DAN GABLE PERFECTED IT!

Communication ? A coach can have all the technical knowledge in the world but if he can’t communicate and teach effectively, the knowledge is useless. Clear communication stems from realizing how each player learns and tailoring the information to reach its intended target. The best coaches are able to deliver criticism and praise in a way that players will take to heart.

KJ has very poor communication. This is evident by his public speaking, his inability to develop individuals. I will go ahead and give you credit about Varner, Zabriskie, Reader, Sorenson, etc but I also would like to think these guys would have excelled no matter what but like I said I will go ahead and give KJ the credit but he also needs to be responsible for the other guys as well.

Leadership ? Great coaches give their teams direction and motivation to help them to reach their goals. They have a plan, are organized and find a way to encourage their teams to believe and work together. The best coaches are those that will lead an enthusiastic, excelling, growing team by personal example.

KJ does not have a plan in place. This is evident by the way the guys are training, cutting weight, who he has on staff. Coming late to practices or not even showing up to morning work outs does not help with getting your athletes to perform. I understand waking up early stinks-I love my sleep but your athletes look up to you/they expect you to LEAD them. Their is no direction, no motivation by every wrestler. I understand this sport is both an individual/team sport but when you start focusing on a couple of guys because the rest are not up to standards is when you start losing your program, tradition, etc. I am proud and happy with the success from Sorenson, Spangler, Beard but to just focus this year on them and ignore the others is not what makes the best programs the best. Iowa has 30+ guys who all truly believe they are going to be National Champions, they may not come out and say it but you know they believe it. Last year cyclone fans focused on Jon Reader to get through the season, this year Sorenson/Spangler/Beard-it should not be that way

KJ QUOTES:

"You guys know why I am here. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think we could get it done. Our goal is to be the best. Our goals are to win every match, win every tournament, to win every dual, TO BEAT OUR CROSS-STATE RIVALS. I can’t wait until we perform at Hilton Coliseum in that Iowa-Iowa State dual. That is going to be a great experience for everyone. You are going to see a change in our tactics, in our scoring, in our aggressiveness and the things that we are going to do to win matches."

I AM STILL WAITING ON THE CHANGE IN TACTICS, SCORING, AGGRESSIVENESS, AS WELL AS OUR VICTORY OVER NOT JUST OUR CROSS-STATE RIVAL BUT ANOTHER PROGRAM PERIOD!

“There are several things I have to adjust to. I know I have a learning curve. The recruiting process is probably the most important part of it. Right now we are pretty solid in our lineup but I think immediately a there is a gap for the next season that I have to close in the recruiting process. I think we have a package that won’t be denied."

SO WHEN KJ CAME ON BOARD HE WAS FULLY AWARE RECRUITING WOULD PLAY A HUGE FACTOR. SO WHY WOULDN'T HE FOCUS ON THIS AND HIT THE ROADS RECRUITING HIS BUTT OFF? THIS QUOTE HERE PRETTY MUCH TELLS ME KJ RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF RECRUITING BUT YET LET 2 YEARS SLIP AWAY.

“I am excited to be running the wrestling program. With this group of young men we are going to have a lot of fun and do a lot of winning."

WINNING?????

 

[Judoka]

People have asked what I expect or want from a coach.

Being able to motivate his athletes to succeed: TB has it, John Smith has it, Rob Koll has it, J Rob has it, DAN GABLE INVENTED IT!

Nurture relationships: Important to have a great relationship with your athletes in and outside the room. A great relationship between athlete/coach will improve the athlete to compete harder, give more, etc. Having a coach who cares not only about developing their athlete in the sport but as well as in life. A great coach cares about what's going on with their athlete day-to-day. It is important to know that a coach has our best interest in mind in all areas. Again look at the best coaches in the country and they have this. DAN GABLE PERFECTED IT!

Communication ? A coach can have all the technical knowledge in the world but if he can’t communicate and teach effectively, the knowledge is useless. Clear communication stems from realizing how each player learns and tailoring the information to reach its intended target. The best coaches are able to deliver criticism and praise in a way that players will take to heart.

KJ has very poor communication. This is evident by his public speaking, his inability to develop individuals. I will go ahead and give you credit about Varner, Zabriskie, Reader, Sorenson, etc but I also would like to think these guys would have excelled no matter what but like I said I will go ahead and give KJ the credit but he also needs to be responsible for the other guys as well.

Leadership ? Great coaches give their teams direction and motivation to help them to reach their goals. They have a plan, are organized and find a way to encourage their teams to believe and work together. The best coaches are those that will lead an enthusiastic, excelling, growing team by personal example.

KJ does not have a plan in place. This is evident by the way the guys are training, cutting weight, who he has on staff. Coming late to practices or not even showing up to morning work outs does not help with getting your athletes to perform. I understand waking up early stinks-I love my sleep but your athletes look up to you/they expect you to LEAD them. Their is no direction, no motivation by every wrestler. I understand this sport is both an individual/team sport but when you start focusing on a couple of guys because the rest are not up to standards is when you start losing your program, tradition, etc. I am proud and happy with the success from Sorenson, Spangler, Beard but to just focus this year on them and ignore the others is not what makes the best programs the best. Iowa has 30+ guys who all truly believe they are going to be National Champions, they may not come out and say it but you know they believe it. Last year cyclone fans focused on Jon Reader to get through the season, this year Sorenson/Spangler/Beard-it should not be that way

KJ QUOTES:

"You guys know why I am here. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think we could get it done. Our goal is to be the best. Our goals are to win every match, win every tournament, to win every dual, TO BEAT OUR CROSS-STATE RIVALS. I can’t wait until we perform at Hilton Coliseum in that Iowa-Iowa State dual. That is going to be a great experience for everyone. You are going to see a change in our tactics, in our scoring, in our aggressiveness and the things that we are going to do to win matches."

I AM STILL WAITING ON THE CHANGE IN TACTICS, SCORING, AGGRESSIVENESS, AS WELL AS OUR VICTORY OVER NOT JUST OUR CROSS-STATE RIVAL BUT ANOTHER PROGRAM PERIOD!

“There are several things I have to adjust to. I know I have a learning curve. The recruiting process is probably the most important part of it. Right now we are pretty solid in our lineup but I think immediately a there is a gap for the next season that I have to close in the recruiting process. I think we have a package that won’t be denied."

SO WHEN KJ CAME ON BOARD HE WAS FULLY AWARE RECRUITING WOULD PLAY A HUGE FACTOR. SO WHY WOULDN'T HE FOCUS ON THIS AND HIT THE ROADS RECRUITING HIS BUTT OFF? THIS QUOTE HERE PRETTY MUCH TELLS ME KJ RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF RECRUITING BUT YET LET 2 YEARS SLIP AWAY.

“I am excited to be running the wrestling program. With this group of young men we are going to have a lot of fun and do a lot of winning."

WINNING?????

You're throwing out a lot of stuff in your posts here. That Jackson doesn't support the CWC, that Jackson doesn't show up to practices, that he doesn't recruit, that he punches kittens (okay, I made up that last one). Anything to back that up?

Also, you act like there has been no recruiting the last two years. We have brought in a number of decent guys, but even guys like Finch or a healthy Gadsen are going to take a few years to fully develop.

 

[NEICyFan]

One thing that kills me about KJ is that Oklahoma was able to bring in Mark Cody while we had to settle for a guy who was a college assistant for like 2 years over 20 years ago and didn't light the world on fire as coach of USA wrestling.

Something just doesn't seem right about that.

 

[DantheFan]

I personally believe KJ can get it done, I have some questions and am not happy with the last two seasons, but I think there are some big obstacles in the way of ISU succeeding and some bad luck as well. KJ is a champion to his core. I can't imagine anyone who is both a world champion and an olympic champion not finding a way to win. I'm sure he wants badly to be a champion coach and he will figure out how to do that.

That said, I can see some of your points Queso. First, yes, Dan Gable is probably the best wrestling coach of all-time and I would say he is probably one of the best coaches period, regardless of sport. Would have been nice to keep him around. Next, I do start to question how well KJ has been able to motivate and develop all of the guys. He's done great with Varner, Z, Reader, Sorenson, etc. but it's those mid-level to average guys that I never seem to see much from. I won't say he's not capable of developing and motivating, but some of the performances raise questions and makes me believe there is room for improvement, but again I believe he will be able to make those improvements. Lastly, whatever our conditioning program is, it seems to need some changing. Having a good gastank and never giving up goes a long ways in this sport. I'm sure KJ didn't get to being a world and olympic champ by just doing the same stuff over and over and not working to improve and I don't think he is treating his job as a coach any differently. I have faith that things will improve.

In KJs defense as far as the public speaking goes, public speaking doesn't necessarily count for much. Brands comes off as dumber than a box of rocks in front of the media, but I'm sure he's smarter than he appears in his interviews.

 

[Wesley]

So why do we have so many injuries?

 

[goldrush]

If KJ did such a great job developing Jake Varner like everyone on here gives him credit for then why doesn't Varner come to Ames to train for a week or so from time to time.

 

[buf87]

I personally don't think KJ did as much with Varner but did improve Zabriskie and Long and Reader and now Sorenson and Spangler. Varner was well on his way to being an undefeated national champ before KJ got there. Varner was alway going to follow Cael, they're like brothers.