Sep 3, 2026 · 46 min
Iowa State wrestling builds two programs for a changing sport
Brent Metcalf & Alli St. John sit-down with Jacqueline Cordova | Cyclone Wrestling Special
Brent Metcalf and Alli St. John explain how Iowa State is staffing, recruiting, and connecting with athletes and fans as men’s and women’s wrestling evolve.
- 1Brent Metcalf is learning to delegate while reshaping Iowa State’s men’s program around staff, recruiting, and athlete development.
- 2NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal are changing college wrestling, but Metcalf emphasizes gratitude, hunger, and adaptability.
- 3Alli St. John is launching Iowa State women’s wrestling while building a roster, staff, schedule, and community around a new program.
Don't miss
Alli St. John outlines the rapid, practical work of launching Iowa State women’s wrestling, from recruiting and staff building to preparing for its first season.
The brief
Brent Metcalf describes his first summer as Iowa State’s head coach: learning to delegate, build a staff, welcome recruits, and preserve what already works.
The college sports landscape is shifting through NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal. Metcalf’s answer is to embrace change without letting new opportunities replace gratitude or ambition.
Metcalf previews a men’s team combining returning All-Americans, NCAA qualifiers, and promising freshmen, with community interest growing around open practice and the season ahead.
Alli St. John is launching Iowa State women’s wrestling at speed, assembling a roster and staff while preparing athletes for their first competition and building relationships with fans and donors.
The coaches’ leadership challenge extends beyond the mat: demanding schedules, family responsibilities, NCAA rules, and the need to create small pockets of personal time.
Featuring
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