Hall of Fame boys’ wrestling coach Brad Smith returns from retirement to help guide Clear Creek Amana

Brad Smith eats lunch once a month with some wrestling colleagues.

They include fellow coaches and wrestlers, including Iowa’s legendary coach Dan Gable, who helped Smith to an NCAA title as a Hawkeye.

He recalled their reaction when the 70-year-old mentioned his latest endeavor.

“They said, ‘What are you doing? Are you nuts?’” Smith said with a laugh. “Gable said no way and I said yeah, I’m going to do it another year. They were supportive but giving me crap, too.”

After a second retirement from coaching that only lasted one season, the state’s most decorated prep wrestling coach is back in the room as an interim head coach for Clear Creek Amana. He is filling in for his former assistant and Clippers Coach Kyle Forness, who will miss the season due to his obligations as a member of the Army Reserves.

“He’s built a really good culture with these kids,” Smith said. “They show up every day and have a good attitude. They’ve been wrestling tough and picking up the stuff I’ve been showing them technically.

“They’re a good group. They’re attentive and real dedicated to what they want to do. It’s a good sign.”

Smith said he’s tried to make the transition as seamless as possible. It helps that Smith’s influence on Forness have led to similar philosophies. Smith has tried to maintain consistency for the wrestlers, making it smoother for all when Forness returns, even though he has added his own tweaks.

“Honestly, it was really easy,” CCA three-time state qualifier and returning state medalist Cale Nash said. “In the summer and spring, he was trying to reach out and get us in the room to get to know him. It kicked off pretty well.

“He has the same (dry) humor as Forness. You don’t know if they’re messing with you or dead serious. I love that from the coaches. If you put them in a dark room, I wouldn’t know who it was. It’s amazing. They’re so alike. It makes it easy to adjust.”

Not only did Smith inherit a solid lineup and about 50 wrestlers on the roster, but he also has a devoted staff that has bridged the gap between head coaches. Tyler and Adam Endres and Fletcher Green have been key for Smith and the wrestlers.

“He's got a good group of assistant coaches that have been around there for a while,” Smith said. “They’re all knowledgeable. I write down practice. I like to involve my assistant coaches, so they all show some really good technique, too. We're all on the same page, so having good assistants is key, as well.”

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Nash has already experienced what has made Smith a successful coach. He has received some of the tutelage and already enhanced his ability in specific positions.

“He really believes in technique. I’m a stubborn guy, who thinks I don’t need to learn much more. I go to Big Game, so I know all the tools in the shed, but he breaks down all these little things, like how to hold a wrist or how to come off a Russian tie. All the littlest things I wasn’t aware of that will make me such a better wrestler.”

Forness wanted someone to step in and help continue the strides the CCA program had made through last season. He was an Iowa City High assistant under Smith for seven years. When he first learned of his assignment in the summer of 2023, it was a light-hearted suggestion to Smith. The subject came up in January while Smith handed out awards at Bean-Smith Duals that shares the Hall of Fame coach’s name.

Smith followed up with a text, asking if Forness had found a replacement, and the wheels were in motion by the state tournament.

“I missed it last year because I had so much free time in my hand,” Smith said. “I played a lot of pickleball. I did some other things I don’t normally do but I always thought about wrestling.”

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Of course, Smith received the blessing from his longtime wife, Connie, to come out of retirement for the second time.

“She said yes and that he's doing service for our country, so, she felt good about that,” Smith said. “She’s good with it. She will come to some of the meets.

“She will support the team and myself. That makes the job easier, too.”

The Clippers welcome a coach whose accomplishments are unparalleled. Smith ranks first with 704 career dual victories and 19 state team titles (12 traditional state team crowns and seven State Duals titles) in his 45-year career.

Smith coached 306 state qualifiers to 179 medals and 64 individual championships. The 1990 National Coach of the Year guided five of Iowa’s 32 four-time state champions, including four at Lisbon and the final two of City High’s Jeff McGinness in 1992 and 1993.

“I grew up wrestling kids from Lisbon and I've heard his name,” CCA’s Nolan Howell said. “I've I had never met him before the beginning of the season, but like we've been up to Lisbon for a few practices in years past. So, I definitely knew who he was.”

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CCA returns seven of its 11 state qualifiers from last year’s regional dual team. The Clippers were runners-up at the tough Wamac Conference tournament. Smith has a hard-working, tight-knit team on and off the mat.

“There’s lots of competition – a lot of state qualifiers and kids we’ve been wrestling since we were young,” Howell said. "When we walk in the room, it’s time to put on our work boots and go to work to get better. We all wrestle each other. We rotate partners constantly. Always trying to get each other better and ready for the postseason, even though it’s a far away from now.”

The Clippers have a good interim coach keeping the ship on course.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com