Brent Metcalf Named Head Coach Of ISU Men’s Wrestling Team

AMES, Iowa - Brent Metcalf, who has spent the past nine seasons helping Kevin Dresser methodically return the proud Cyclone program to national prominence, has been selected as the ninth head coach of the Iowa State men's wrestling program, Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced today.

"Brent Metcalf has played a critical role in the rebirth of the Iowa State wrestling program over the last nine years, and we are thrilled to introduce him as the next head coach of the Cyclones," Pollard said. "He is one of the fiercest and respected competitors that I know, and I believe that he is the right person to build upon our past success to carry our program to even greater heights in future years."

Metcalf, who has spent the past eight seasons as a full-time assistant coach on the ISU staff after originally joining the program as a volunteer assistant prior to the 2017-18 campaign, has been instrumental in helping Dresser rebuild the Cyclone wrestling program from the ground up since 2017. Highlighted by two top 10 NCAA finishes, a 2024 NCAA team trophy and Big 12 title, his efforts have seen Iowa State re-enter the national conversation as one of the nation's top wrestling programs.

"I am excited and honored to be the next Head Wrestling Coach at Iowa State University and would like to thank Jamie Pollard and President Cook for entrusting me with the legacy of such a storied program," Metcalf said. "None of this would be possible without the vision and mentorship of Kevin Dresser, who for the previous nine seasons has continued to raise the standard of what it means to be a Cyclone wrestler.

"As we move to the next chapter we must continue to raise that bar," he added. "We will challenge our team to pursue National, World and Olympic Titles, compete fearlessly, and to be outstanding representatives of Iowa State University- in the classroom, on the mat and in life."

In 2026, 10 Cyclones qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2010. ISU's 8^th-place finish at the 2026 NCAA Championships was the second top 10 finish for the Cyclones since Metcalf arrived in Ames.

The ISU coaching staff inherited a program that scored one point and finished tied for 57th at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Since then, Iowa State has finished T-45th, 16th, T-13th, 17th, 11th, 4th, T-27th and 8th at the national tournament.

"Brent (Metcalf), along with Coach Derek St. John, have been by my side over the last nine years and have been instrumental in our program's success," Dresser said. "He brings passion, knowledge, dedication and a great work ethic to this opportunity.

"Brent loves Iowa State and has had opportunities to leave Ames the past couple of years as our program has grown in stature, but he wanted to be here in Ames," he added. "I am excited for the future of Cyclone wrestling under Coach Metcalf's leadership."

Iowa State had no conference champions in 2017 and failed to have a wrestler reach All-American status. Since then, Metcalf has had a hand in developing 13 Big 12 Champions and 17 NCAA All-Americans.

Working closely with Cyclone blue-chipper David Carr, Metcalf helped Carr to four Big 12 titles, three national finals appearances and two national titles. Carr won his second national title by defeating four All-Americans and three past or future national champions. With Metcalf's guidance, Carr reversed two consecutive losses to Missouri's Keegan O'Toole in the national semifinals to reach the title match where he beat Penn State's Mitchell Mesenbrink.

He also played a large role in developing All-American brothers and current Cyclones Evan and Jacob Frost. Both brothers were under-the-radar prospects out of high school, rated outside the top 200 nationally, but achieved All-American status after developing in Ames with Metcalf as their individual coach.

Metcalf served as the National Freestyle Developmental Coach prior to his arrival in Ames. He joined the USA Wrestling coaching staff in November of 2016 and was responsible for coaching the age-group men's freestyle World Teams, directing the freestyle resident athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and serving as an assistant coach on the Senior national team.

A legend in the sport, Metcalf is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Iowa wrestling history. He won two NCAA titles (2008, 2010) and was a three-time NCAA finalist (2008-10) in his three seasons wrestling for the Hawkeyes.

Metcalf won the 2008 Dan Hodge trophy, given annually to the nation's best collegiate wrestler, and helped the Hawkeyes to three NCAA team titles (2008, 2009, 2010). He finished his college career with a 108-3 record, the second-best winning percentage in Iowa history (.973), a 69-match winning streak from 2008-09 and 47 career falls.

As a senior-level athlete, Metcalf was a staple in the United States' lineup from 2010-2016. He was a part of four U.S. Freestyle World Teams (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015). He won a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Canada and claimed World Cup gold medals in 2014 and 2015 in Los Angeles. Other major international events he won included the 2014 UWW Golden Grand Prix Finals in Azerbaijan and a silver medal at the 2013 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia.

Metcalf qualified for the U.S. Freestyle National Team for six-straight years from 2010-16, winning U.S. Open titles in 2014 and 2015. He was also a member of the 2006 Junior World Team.

A native of Davison, Michigan, Metcalf is one of the most highly touted prep wrestlers to come out of the state. While wrestling for Davison High School, he posted a record of 228-0 with 156 victories by fall. He was one of the best athletes to wrestle in USA Wrestling's age-group program, winning six ASICS Junior National Titles, three each in freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Metcalf, who earned his bachelor's degree from Iowa in 2010, and his wife, Kristen, have four children: Chase, Cole, Wyatt and Georgia. He was inducted to the Glen Brand National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2023.