Potential UNI wrestling finalists

The University of Northern Iowa is supposedly closing in on finalists. The hiring committee met Tuesday and could be determined as early as the end of today. A lot of hoops have to be jumped through yet to make anything happen and officially get the ball rolling down the stretch.

I've heard rumors, speculation and opinions of colleagues. From the group of people  I've talked to I think I have a good grasp of the finalists. Here is my take on possible finalists (Alphabetical order).

Chris Bono (Iowa State): Iowa State's top assistant and 1996 150-pound NCAA champ. Bono, named the National Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002, has experience, serving two separate terms as a Cyclone assistant and as University of Tennessee-Chattanooga head coach. In his time at ISU, Bono was an assistant to coaching great Bobby Douglas and this last season to former USA Wrestling coach Kevin Jackson. Bono led UTC to a 21st place at the NCAA meet in 2007 and a second top-40 national tournament finish the following season. He led the Mocs to a 39-17 record, three Southern Conference titles and 23 NCAA qualifiers, according to the UTC media guide.

Mark Cody (American U.): He's been at American University the last eight seasons. American, I think, was on the verge of being eliminated, and he's brought it back and made it a top-20 team, placing 14th at the 2010 NCAA tournament with three All-American. He's coached 11 AA total, including the school's first, Dan Walters, in 2005 and AU's first national champion, Josh Glenn, who won the 197-pound title in 2007.

Pat Popolizio (SUNY-Binghamton): A former two-time All-American at Oklahoma State, he's been the head coach at Binghamton the last four seasons, leading the Bearcats to a tie for 21st at the NCAA championships (a school best) with Justin Lister placing fourth at 157 pounds. The Bearcats having continually improved in recent years, especially under Popolizio, the Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year. He's posted a 50-43-2 dual record and had AA's in two straight years and evenhad a 4-time national qualifier in Josh Patterson. He was an assistant to Cody before his stint at Binghamton.  

Doug Schwab (University of Iowa): He has declared his interest for the position. He's cut from the cloth of some outstanding coaches, learning from one of the best in University of Iowa Coach Tom Brands. He was a member of Brands' staffs at Virginia Tech and Iowa after being an accomplished wrestler for the Hawkeyes, which led to the 141-pound NCAA title in 1999. Schwab, who has also been exposed to coaching greats like Terry Brands and Dan Gable, has helped lead Iowa to three straight Big ten and NCAA titles. He would have access to a talented and highly-regarded assistant in older brother, Mark, who is a former UNI All-American that was on the University of Minnesota staff previously. The Schwab's are Osage natives and would have a strong relationship with the Iowa prep wrestling scene.

We'll see when the official word comes out. That announcement could be soon.