Doug Streicher continues impact in 26th season as Linn-Mar wrestling coach

MARION – The wins and the titles aren’t the most rewarding part to Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher.

In more than a quarter-century of coaching wrestling, he’s led the Lions to individual and team success, but the most satisfying aspect is the development of his wrestlers.

“Just seeing the growth in the kids, whether it’s from freshman to senior or the growth after high school and college,” Streicher said. “They come back and say what they’re doing now. To see how someone grows, progresses, matures and builds a family and life for themselves. You hope you had a little part in that.”

Streicher is in the middle of his 26th season, leading the Linn-Mar program making him the elder statesman among current Mississippi Valley Conference head wrestling coaches. He has amassed 408 dual wins and has led seven Lions to 13 state titles during his tenure.

“I love it,” two-time state champion and senior 182-pounder Tate Naaktgeboren said about wrestling for Streicher. “He has been with me during my whole career and journey from Kindergarten to now. He’s made an impact on my life.

“You can’t ask for a better head coach.”

Streicher helped change the perception of Linn-Mar being just a basketball school in the winter when he took over in 1997. In just five seasons, the Lions placed third in their first of seven State Duals appearances. Chris McDonald became the program’s first MVC titlist in the same season. The conference champion total climbed to 34 last season, crowning four and winning the team title for the first time in history.

This season, Linn-Mar is 6-2 and ranked fifth in Class 3A by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. The Lions are coming off a fourth-place finish at the state duals last season and return nine state qualifiers, including state medalists Malik DeBow, Brayden Parke, Grant Kress, Kane and Tate Naaktgeboren, from a seventh-place traditional state tournament team finish in February.

“I’m still old-school,” Streaicher said of his style. “There’s a certain way to do it. Come, show up on time, work hard, do the things you’re supposed to do in the classroom. Most of that stuff hasn’t changed.”

The approach has remained the same, but the bar has definitely been raised substantially.

“Probably just the expectation has changed,” Streicher said. “You grow into that expectation. You win a little bit and you expect more. It’s hard work to keep going.”

Streicher, who was a two-time state champion for former Starmont Coach Doug Guilford, is quick to credit many supporters of the program. He praised coaches and their families, the athletes and their parents and middle school and club coaches. Streicher said there are many more that have been involved.

“I’m no dummy,” Streicher said in his signature gravelly voice. “I’ve got it figured out. People around me make it work.”

Wrestling has been a family affair. Streicher has coached his sons, Alex and Charlie. His wife, Terri, has been by his side from the 2-18 record and no state qualifiers his first season to the present success. She can be found at duals and tournaments, watching, encouraging and cheering on the Lions.

“She has always been my main source of emotional support, she keeps me grounded and raised our two boys when I couldn't be around much,” Streicher said. “Nothing I have done in coaching is possible without her being all in.”

The 54-year-old skipper doesn’t roll around with wrestlers in practice much anymore. A lesson learned after being sore for about a month after wrestling with former Linn-Mar state medalist Luke Gaffney last season. He leaves that to his younger assistants.

Streicher praised assistants Ryan Gotto, Beau Westpfahl, A.J. Garcia, Peyton Wagner, Justin Green, Abass Kemokai and his son, Alex. Garcia, Green and Kemokai also wrestled for the Lions. Current girls’ wrestling coaches Mike Geers and Kelly Seery have been assistants, as well as C.J. McDonald and Kevin McCauley, who call duals for online.

“I look around at the guys I have around me,” Streicher said. “It’s pretty easy to see why there is consistency there and we’ve been able to keep a pretty high standard in this program.”

Many of the current MVC coaches have advanced from high school competitors to colleagues during his career. Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Nick LeClere, Iowa City High’s Cory Connell, Iowa City West’s Nate Moore and Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Derrick Ball are in that category. Streicher has had assistants move on to lead their own program, like Marion’s Jason Haag.

“Doug was a great mentor to me,” Haag said. “I learned a lot from him on how to be a head coach and handle the behind-the-scenes stuff that is a part of coaching. I owe Doug a lot for the 10 years he allowed me to coach with him.

“We still talk and I will occasionally pick his mind on some things.”

Streicher is part of the famed Dan Gable coaching tree, claiming All-American status for University of Iowa with a sixth-place finish in 1990. He moved into rare company when Linn-Mar’s four-time state champion Jay Borschel and three-time state champion Matt McDonough won NCAA titles for the Hawkeyes in 2010. Streicher coached 20 percent of the Division I champions that year.

“Coach Streicher is one of the most influential coaches I have had in my lifetime,” McDonough said. “There are few people as selfless, honest and genuine as him in the sport of wrestling.”

Streicher said he is eligible for retirement in four years. He is unsure whether that will mean four more years of coaching, but he doesn’t see an end anytime soon.

“It’s still enjoyable,” Streicher said. “I have a lot of really good people around me. I don’t do it alone, by any means.”