Malecek staying at UW-La Crosse

Considered to be a possible candidate for the University of Northern Iowa head wrestling coach position, Dave Malecek decided not to pursue the UNI job, sources have confirmed. The post opened with the firing of Brad Penrith a little more than a week ago after 10 seasons.

Malecek will remain the head coach of the Eagles, who have placed in the top three of Division III Championships each of his first four years, finishing second in 2008 and 2010 and third in 2007 and 2009. He was named D3wrestle.com Coach of the Year.

Malecek was a four-time national qualifier for UNI, earning All-American honors as a senior with a fourth-place finish at 177 pounds in 1994. Maelecek, an Olympic Trials participant in 1992 and 1996, is in the top-10 all-time in victories at UNI. Before taking over at UWL, he was also an assistant at Wartburg, helping legendary coach Jim Miller from 2000-06. The Knights won three national titles during that time. He was named NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year in his final season at Wartburg.