Barry Davis

1999 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Barry Davis’s exceptional wrestling journey began at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was coached by Jim Kimbell. The Prairie wrestling room was a powerhouse in the late 1970s and early ’80s, producing future NCAA legends like Jim Zalesky alongside Davis. It was here that Barry embarked on a remarkable twelve-year competitive career spanning high school, college, national, and international levels.

At Prairie, Davis became a three-time Iowa state champion, capturing titles at 112 pounds in 1978 and at 119 pounds in both 1979 and 1980. He amassed an outstanding prep record of 102-6-1. Recognized early for his relentless work ethic and technical precision, there was little surprise when he chose to continue his wrestling career at the University of Iowa under the legendary Dan Gable.

Davis flourished as a Hawkeye, compiling a phenomenal 162-9-1 collegiate record—still the most career wins in Iowa history. He also holds the school record for most victories in a single season, with 46 wins in 1982. Competing at 118 pounds in 1981 and 1982, he claimed three NCAA individual championships, was a four-time All-American, and one of only nine wrestlers to win four Big Ten titles. During his tenure, the Hawkeyes captured four NCAA team championships (1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985). He redshirted the 1983-84 season to focus on Olympic competition.

Barry’s success extended seamlessly onto the international stage. He became a two-time Olympian, representing the United States at the 1984 Los Angeles Games—where he captured a silver medal—and at the 1988 Seoul Games. Davis was also a three-time World Team member, winning a bronze medal at the 1986 World Championships in Budapest and a silver in 1987 in Clermont-Ferrand. Additionally, he earned Pan American gold in 1983 and won five U.S. national freestyle titles.

Upon graduating from Iowa in 1985, Davis immediately joined Dan Gable’s coaching staff as an assistant. Over seven seasons, he helped guide the Hawkeyes to three more NCAA team titles (1986, 1991, 1992) and seven consecutive Big Ten championships.

In 1992, he moved to the University of Wisconsin as an assistant and was named head coach in 1994. Davis led the Badgers program until 2018, becoming the winningest coach in Wisconsin history with a dual meet record of 227-167-11. Under his leadership, the Badgers produced three NCAA champions, 26 All-Americans, 62 NCAA qualifiers, and eight Big Ten champions. His 2010 squad finished fourth at the NCAA Championships, tying the best placement in school history, and he guided Wisconsin to 15 top-20 national finishes.

Barry was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999 with Dick Govig.