Wrestling: Schwab powers Panthers' progress

There is one opinion University of Northern Iowa Athletics Director Troy Dannen and Panthers head wrestling coach Doug Schwab do not share.

UNI's resurgence as a top-15 program has come quicker than expected to Dannen, but Schwab is not satisfied with the notable progress in his first three years at the helm.

“I think you're always looking for a little bit more,” Schwab said. “I'm pleased with the direction and foundation we built.”

One thing Schwab and his boss agree on is they want him to finish the job. Earlier this month, Schwab and Dannen scrapped his contract with three years left on it for a new five-year deal.

“Everybody is passionate about wrestling again,” Dannen said. “We lost that passion. A lot of our alums, our fan base and even some of the wrestlers in the room.

“Doug has electrified everyone.”

The top priority when Schwab took over for Brad Penrith in May 2010 was to reconnect the current team with those who built the Panthers' rich wrestling tradition.

He has engaged former wrestlers, alumni and supporters from the community. Now, the West Gym is packed for duals.

“It's more than just inviting them, “ Schwab said. “It's telling them we want you here. The out-pour of support has been tremendous for us.”

Questions surrounded the program's future during the coaching change. Rumors circulated that the program could be the next casualty among dwindling NCAA Division I programs due to tight budgets and gender equity. Schwab had the same concern.

“I told him you'll make that decision. You can make wrestling untouchable,” Dannen said. “It's not like there's more institutional money being put into the wrestling program. There are people on the outside supportive of wrestling that are investing in the program.”

The support has helped produce renovations to the wrestling room. Plans have been made to improve the locker room and weight room.

“It's what he has done in the room, how he engaged our supporters, alums and everybody wants to be a part of it,” Dannen said. “That's the only way you succeed at Northern Iowa is everybody buys in and you unify behind some force and move forward. Doug's been that force.”

The new facilities help get talent in the door, but Schwab, a 2008 Olympian and former NCAA champion at the University of Iowa, said he has seen the best and worst facilities in the world. Both have produced Olympic champions. The changes represent a new era.

“It's an indication of the overhaul of the program,” Schwab said. “We're trying to upgrade every aspect of it.”

Schwab has resurrected a program that dropped out of the top 40. In just three seasons, the Panthers have steadily clawed back, placing 15th in the 2013 NCAA Championships at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Schwab also had his first two All-Americans in fourth-place 157-pounder David Bonin and Ryan Loder, who was seventh at 184.

It was the best finish and first time UNI had multiple All-Americans since 2005.

Schwab said many of his goals set for the first three years have been achieved, including the turnover on the team and the atmosphere around it. More work remains.

“Everybody that's successful writes out goals,” Schwab said. “They have a vision for it. They have a goal in what they want to create. It's not just random with what they're trying to do.”

Dannen admits he hasn't missed a dual in the West Gym, which he calls a pretty intense atmosphere now. The Panthers earned a notable upset, dropping No. 13 Oklahoma at home. It was one of three ranked teams the Panthers beat in 2013. Dannen is even impressed with Schwab's influence off the mat, serving as a role model for his wrestlers to live the appropriate lifestyle of a Division-I athlete.

“The program was down in a lot of ways. It just wasn't the results on the mat,” Dannen said. “Academically, we weren't succeeding at the level we needed. Socially, we weren't doing things where we needed to do them.”

Schwab has grown along with his wrestlers. Dannen said he knew Schwab had the technical skills to be a good head coach and recognized the potential of being a CEO-type to lead the program as well. He is, however, cut from the cloth of current Hawkeye Coach Tom Brands, who Schwab served as an assistant before taking over the Panthers post. He isn't afraid to shoot from the hip when talking to anyone.

“I chalk that up, too, to his passion,” Dannen said. “He's not pulling any punches with anybody. He's very honest with everybody about what it takes, where we were and where we need to be and what are his expectations.”

Schwab is not content with a 15th-place finish when he aspires to make UNI a championship contender. The new contract is a sign that Schwab and the UNI administration are happy with the direction of the program. They want to finish the job together.

“It's not going to put me on easy street,” Schwab said about the contract. “It shows the confidence they have in me and I love being here.

“It's good for me to be able to tell recruits that I have five more years. I'm not looking anywhere else. This is where I want to be. I want to build a championship program here. I want to see this thing through.”