Brad Smith

Brad Smith is widely regarded as one of Iowa’s most accomplished and influential wrestling coaches, known for his exceptional leadership and coaching acumen. Beginning his career at Lisbon High School in 1978, Smith quickly established himself as a force in Iowa wrestling. Over his initial 13 seasons at Lisbon, he led the team to 7 traditional 1A state championships in 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1990 and 3 state dual championships in 1987, 1988, and 1991.

In 1991, Smith transitioned to become the head coach at Iowa City High School where he continued to build on his already stellar reputation. Over the next 21 years, Smith led City High to three traditional 3A state championships in 1992, 1999, and 2002 and 2 state dual championships in 1999 and 2002.

In 2013, the heartstrings pulled Smith back to Lisbon and in four short years came one of Smith’s greatest moments. Lisbon won the traditional state tournament in 2017 earning Smith his 11th state team title, tying the Iowa record for most traditional state team wrestling championships held by the legendary coach Bob Siddens. Then in 2020, Smith broke that record with his 12th traditional state championship, all the while collecting two more state dual championships in those same years to bring his total to seven. In addition to his team success, Smith is known for his ability to develop individual wrestlers. Over the course of his coaching career, he has coached 5 four-time state champions, more than any other coach in Iowa history. He has also mentored 324 state qualifiers, and 65 state champions which is another state record. Smith’s athletes have not only thrived in high school but also excelled at the collegiate level, with 25 of his wrestlers achieving high school All-American honors and five winning national championships at the NCAA, NAIA, or Junior College levels. Over 46 years of coaching, Smith’s career total is more than impressive at 720-234-0.

A product of Illinois wrestling, Smith was a two-time unbeaten Illinois state champion and a Junior Olympic Champion before making his mark at the University of Iowa. At Iowa, he was a four-year letterman, winning the 142-pound NCAA Championship in 1976 and contributing to two national team titles. His successful collegiate career set the stage for his coaching success, where he has been recognized with numerous honors, including being named Iowa Coach of the Year in 1986 & 2020, and National Coach of the Year in 1990, 1991 and 2013. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and is also a member of several other prestigious wrestling halls of fame including the Glen Brand National Hall of Fame.

Brad Smith’s legacy as a coach, mentor, and leader in the wrestling community is unparalleled, making him a most deserving inductee and one of only two non-Iowa natives to be elected to the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Smith was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2025 along with
Keith Massey, Bob Hallman, Perry Hummel, and Keith Abens (posthumously).

High School

John Hersey High School

• 1971 and 1972 Two-time undefeated Illinois State Champion and Team Championships
• 1971 and 1972 Two-time First Team All-American in Wrestling
• 1971 and 1972 Two-time All-State Baseball
• 1972 All-State Football
• 1973 Junior National Olympic Freestyle Champion
• 1973 3rd Place Junior World Freestyle Championships

College

University of Iowa

CoachGary Kurdelmeier

• 1976 142-pound NCAA Champion
• 1975 NCAA Team National Title
• 1976 NCAA Team National Title
• Four-time Letter Winner

Coaching

Record720-234-0

Lisbon High School – Head Coach (1978-1990)

• 1978 Traditional State Team Title
• 1980 Traditional State Team Title
• 1982 Traditional State Team Title
• 1983 Traditional State Team Title
• 1986 Traditional State Team Title
• 1988 Traditional State Team Title
• 1989 Traditional State Team Title
• 1990 Traditional State Team Title
• 29 Individual State Champions

Iowa City High School – Head Coach (1991-2012)

• 1992 Traditional State Team Title
• 1999 Traditional State Team Title
• 2002 Traditional State Team Title
• 16 Individual State Champions

Lisbon High School – Head Coach (2012-2023)

• 2017 Traditional State Team Title
• 2018 Traditional State Team Title
• 23 Individual State Champions

• 7 State Dual Meet Championships
• Coached 5 wrestlers that went on to become National Collegiate Champions in college
• 18 State Runner-up Teams
• 65 Individual State Champions, Iowa record
• 324 State Qualifiers
• 180 State Place Winners
• Five four-time State Champions, Iowa record
• 25 High School All-Americans
• Five Wrestlers won Collegiate National Championships (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA)
• 1986 and 2020 Iowa Coach of the Year
• 1990, 1991 and 2013   National Coach of the Year
• 1999 NWCA Scholastic Coach of the Year
• 1999 State Person of the Year
• 2001 and 2012 Head Coach for the Iowa team for the Dream Team Classic
• 2018 Bob Siddens Iowa High School Coaching Excellence Award
• 2023 NWCA Section 4 Coach of the Year