Penn State is 1-for-1 on hiring coaches from Iowa State.
It’s never happened in football before, and we don’t know yet how the Matt Campbell era is going to go.
It Is Over: Long, Winding Penn State Coaching Search Ends With Matt Campbell
But it happened in wrestling, and we all know how that’s gone.
Cael Sanderson is an Iowa State legend. It was in Ames where Sanderson became arguably the greatest folkstyle wrestler of all time, ending his college career 159-0 and winning four national championships. After winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004, Sanderson began coaching. By 2006, he was Iowa State’s head coach, and at just 27, Sanderson had a chance to become a coaching icon in Ames in addition to what he did as a wrestler.
Sanderson was Iowa State’s boss for three seasons, leading it to two top three finishes at the national championships.
After the 2009 season— when Penn State finished 17th at the national championships— Troy Sunderland “resigned amidst rumors that he would be fired,” per the DailyCollegian.
So Penn State needed a head coach, and at first, it seemed unlikely that Sanderson would be the guy.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Even Sanderson’s family members and confidants advised against him leaving Iowa State.
But Sanderson saw the opportunity Pennsylvania’s rich high school wrestling talent would present, and felt Penn State’s athletic department would give him opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available.
Sanderson decided to take the chance, and it worked out better than anybody— maybe even Cael himself, could have imagined.
12 national titles in 14 years says it all, and Penn Stats isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
