Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Look to Future with Dubuque's Departure
10/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 3, 2006
The Indiana wrestling team has a long and storied tradition, one that dates back to 1909. Since that year, the Hoosiers have seen 68 All-Americans, 52 Big Ten champions, 25 NCAA finalists and 10 national champions.
But among the hundreds of wrestlers who have worn the Indiana colors, perhaps none was better than Joe Dubuque - one of just two IU wrestlers to win multiple national championships and the only grappler to have won back-to-back titles. And while Hoosier head coach Duane Goldman faces the daunting task of replacing Dubuque's dominance in his lineup for the 2006-07 season, he also has the benefit of the 125-pounder's success to point at when welcoming potential recruits to the Indiana campus.
"Anytime your program produces an individual like that, it's a great showpiece for that program, and Joe is no different," Goldman said. "He had a great career and that's something that I think any individual that aspires to be a national champion, or any kid, the fact that they know, this is a place where they can win one, is great.
"It brings a lot of credibility to your program, as well as prestige," continued the head coach, who is in his 16th season at the helm of the Hoosiers. "It brings credibility to the kids, when they say they are a national champion, and its something they know they can get done. That was a tremendous thing for us and a good thing for recruiting."
It isn't just the draw of Dubuque's success that rings true to the future Hoosiers, though. Dubuque came in as a two-time New Jersey State Champion, but developed through his four years into the best wrestler in the country at a highly competitive 125-pound class. Recruits know that the coaches and their dedication to developing strong athletes was a key component of Dubuque's dominance on the mat.
"It's obviously a great accomplishment and required a lot of teamwork between individuals," Goldman said. "It's a long, hard road, and he obviously had talent to get the job done coming into college. Even with that, he had a lot of development to make to succeed. Winning the first title was great, but to win the second one was really an accomplishment. His weight class was tough, and he really had to be heads above the competition, so to get that done, his second title was very impressive."
In addition to their ability in coaching, the Hoosier staff has another quality that often leads to success on the mat - chemistry. Much of that chemistry that the coaching staff displays comes from the fact that the full-time staff - Goldman and assistant coaches Mike Mena and Reggie Wright - has been intact for five years now. Wright, the newest member of the staff, joined the team in 2001, while Mena has worked under Goldman since 1999. According to Goldman, knowing the strengths of each coach and the way that they do things is a huge benefit when it comes to results.
"It makes a big difference," he said. "Mike has been here a bit longer than Reggie, in a different position, but anytime we're able to stay together, continuity between staff makes a huge difference.
"It brings a lot of reassurance to the athletes, it's great for the coaches, but it's also great for the athletes," Goldman continued. "If they know how things work and the coaches are on the same page, it's easier for them to make that transition. It's a level of comfort and confidence for them."
Though the Hoosier coaching staff is clearly excited about the results that Dubuque's championships bring to the table recruiting-wise, they know that just as important is continuing the momentum in the 2006-07 season. Goldman and his coaches have a number of athletes who they are looking at to become the Hoosiers' next national champion and who will be the team's leader with Dubuque's departure.
"I think [who will be a leader] is going to be determined," Goldman said. "Max Dean (165 pounds) is a great leader, he's a hard worker, a really good leader by example. Brandon Becker (157 pounds) has obviously had a lot of success and is what a lot of the young athletes aspire to be as far as becoming an All-American. Those are two that stand out. We have some young individuals, even some freshmen, who I believe are good leaders, good role models for the team. Even though they might not be captains right now, they are still a tremendous positive influence on the team."
So as the Hoosier wrestling team faces the 2006-07 season without Joe Dubuque - perhaps the best wrestler in the 97-year history of the program - there are plenty of questions of who will be the one to embrace the void that the three-time All-American has left.
"I hate to make predictions; we have a number of people who we really hope will step up," Goldman said. "They have great talent, and our schedule is demanding. It's geared toward development, and I think we have a number of people who can step up and make a name for themselves. Time will tell."
So while Goldman and his staff are unsure about who will be the next Indiana wrestling national champion, one thing is for sure; with the respect that Joe Dubuque brought to the program, the next Hoosier national champion could come from anywhere, whether he is in the IU locker room or waiting for a phone call from Goldman. Regardless, the future continues to be bright for the program in the shadow of its departed superstar. And with Goldman and his staff at the helm, the Hoosiers may not have to wait long for that next champion to emerge.
