Bobby Telford joins Iowa wrestling coaching staff

IOWA CITY — Bobby Telford has been a regular in Iowa's Dan Gable Wrestling Complex.

He was a three-time All-American heavyweight for the Hawkeyes and continued to train and compete with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. Now, Telford has a new role.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands announce in a news release Friday that Telford has been named volunteer assistant coach, joining his staff and replacing Ben Berhow. Berhow is expected to take over coaching and administrative duties for the HWC.

'I'm fired up to get started,' Telford said in the release. 'I've wanted nothing but the absolute best for this team and the people in this program since arriving in Iowa City in 2011. This is an opportunity afforded to very few people, and I want to thank Tom, Terry (Brands), and (Ryan) Morningstar for giving me the chance to continue our pursuit of NCAA and World Championships.'

Telford was a four-time national qualifier, earning All-American honors in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and compiling a 108-27 career record. He continued to wrestle freestyle after graduation and competed internationally, sitting fifth in the national rankings in April.

Telford joins a staff that recently added Quinn Hollan as strength and conditioning coach Aug. 10.

'We had two experienced heavyweights in our room yesterday and we'll have two experienced heavyweights in our room tomorrow,' Brands said in the release. 'They're both in positions that fit them professionally, and they're both aware of the expectations demanded by their new roles. That's a good thing, because we have a lot of horsepower on our roster and we need everyone on board.'

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