Dan Gable

1977 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Dan Gable, widely regarded as one of the most exceptional amateur wrestlers and coaches in American history, was born on October 25, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa. He began his wrestling journey at Waterloo West High School, where he achieved an impeccable record of 64-0, securing three consecutive Iowa state championships.

Continuing his wrestling career at Iowa State University, Gable maintained his dominance on the mat. Competing from 1967 to 1970, he amassed a remarkable collegiate record of 117-1. He clinched two NCAA Division I national titles in 1968 and 1969 and was a three-time All-American and three-time Big Eight champion. His sole collegiate defeat occurred during the 1970 NCAA finals in his senior year, a loss that fueled his drive for future successes.

After completing his collegiate career, Gable transitioned to international competition, achieving significant milestones. In 1971, he secured gold medals at both the World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia. The following year, at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, Gable delivered a legendary performance by winning the gold medal in the 68 kg freestyle category without conceding a single point throughout the tournament.

Gable’s coaching career began at the University of Iowa, where he served as an assistant coach under Gary Kurdelmeier from 1972 to 1976. During this period, the Hawkeyes emerged as a national powerhouse, achieving a 51-7-5 dual meet record, winning three Big Ten titles, and securing two NCAA championships.

In 1976, Gable was appointed head coach of the University of Iowa wrestling program. Over the next 21 years, he transformed the Hawkeyes into a wrestling dynasty. Under his leadership, Iowa won 15 NCAA team titles and 21 consecutive Big Ten championships. His teams produced 152 All-Americans, 45 individual national champions, and 106 Big Ten champions. Additionally, Gable coached 12 Olympians, including athletes who earned four gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.

Gable’s contributions to wrestling have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the United States Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1996, he was honored as one of the 100 Golden Olympians, acknowledging his status among the top U.S. Olympians of all time. Further accolades include his induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.

Beyond his competitive and coaching achievements, Gable has been a prominent advocate for wrestling, serving on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and sharing his experiences through motivational speaking engagements. His dedication to the sport and his unparalleled success have left an indelible mark on the wrestling community, solidifying his legacy as a true icon in the world of amateur wrestling.

Dan was named Man of the Year by the Amateur Wrestling News in 1971, and was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977 with Bob Siddens.