Nelson Brands tabbed as next Iowa City Regina boys’ head wrestling coach

IOWA CITY – Nelson Brands is an accomplished wrestler, mountain climber and gamer.

He can now add head coach to his resume.

Iowa City Regina announced Brands will be its new boys’ head wrestling coach Monday in a news release. He replaces former Iowa wrestling teammate Drew Bennett, who stepped down in March after one season.

Brands, 26, majored in sport and recreation management, including coaching and sport instruction, as a Hawkeye.

“I’m so excited to join the Regina community and coach my athletes to accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves,” Brands said in the news release. “Wrestling has always been my passion and coaching Regina wrestling to individual and team state championships is the goal to chase. Let’s build something special and successful. Go Regals.”

Brands was a two-time national qualifier and All-American, placing fifth at 184 pounds in 2023. He is the son of Iowa associate head coach Terry Brands and the nephew of Hawkeyes head coach Tom Brands.

Nelson was a three-time state champion for Iowa City West, claiming Class 3A state titles at 138, 152 and 160 in his final three seasons. He compiled a 198-20 career record, including 110 pins, with the Trojans, becoming the ninth four-time Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet champion and the first to be voted the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler by the coaches all four years.

Nelson has been exposed to great coaches during his career. The Junior Nationals and Cadet All-American wrestled for the late Hall of Famer Mark Reiland at West before competing for his uncle and dad at Iowa.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nelson to the Regina community,” Regina Activities Director Taylor Hotek said in the release. “His experience as an athlete speaks for itself but what impressed me most during the hiring process how positive and personable he is. He has a natural ability to connect with student-athletes and has a genuine passion for growing the sport. Both of which are high priorities in our programs. I know he will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff and school community.”

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