Iowa will go after the big names. They had conversations with David Taylor, but Taylor jumped into coaching a year earlier than expected after losing to Brooks. The AD and Fire Brands boosters didn’t have enough power to make the move for DT. Do they have the pull now? They’ll send out feelers to big names like Burroughs and Dake. Both haven’t shown interest in coaching yet. I bet Iowa keeps Brands for another 1-2 years and sees what shakes out during the LA Olympics cycle. His contract runs through 2028/29. Now his Brother’s contract runs out before that. Will Iowa force Tom out earlier forcing the choice between the job or his brother? The splash could be big spending on resident athletes once the Olympic wrestlers re-assess their options after they're done with the Olympic cycle. ** Edited by VTDante at 2/23/2026, 12:15:08 PM

How big a check will Iowa write for a new coach and staff?

Probably doesn't have many years left coaching. I wouldn't put it past him to pull off a Cignetti type of run of it happened though. Would be a very weird shift for me to have to root for Iowa.

While I don't think Dresser would move the hawk needle, I think if offered you almost have to take it as a former. He might be more in the twilight of his coaching career and I don't think there is much of a chance they offer. It's still the biggest stage (Carver) imo, best facilities or close, rabid and supportive fanbase. I think you would be more likely to see Schwab, DSJ, or Metcalf as others have stated. I actually don't think they replace Brands (yet)...they don't want a Penn State football debacle where they thought any big name would leave and fire a guy before having someone pretty set (like when they actually thought someone would leave Bama for PSU). They struck out on literally 12 coaches but ended up with the guy who should've been in the top 3 anyway, so they got fortunate. They won't fire Brands imo unless they get a big shake up name...ie Burroughs, Dake, Askren, guys that don't want to coach or might not be healthy enough at the moment. ** Edited by VTwinsdad at 2/23/2026, 12:23:04 PM

of that. Even if he was younger. Lots of anti-dresser fans from his comments at VT and now at Iowa State about Iowa.

I hope it's someone that's easy to root against.

It's probably going to be somebody with Iowa ties