2022 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
Wrestling pedigrees don’t get much stronger than Tom Hogan’s.
Hogan sparkled as a high school wrestler, a college wrestler and
now as a coach of his Gilbertville Don Bosco squads.
Hogan won a state title as a senior wrestling for legendary coach Dan
Mashek and followed that up with a Division III national championship
while wrestling for Wartburg College under two other legends, Jim Miller
and Bob Siddens. He then followed that up with a coaching career that
rivals those who coached him.
Explaining his and the Don Bosco’s success, “It’s so important
to this community and the school. Mashek started the winning tradition
back in the late 70s and we’ve been building on it since.” Hogan was quick
to point out that his wrestlers know they are expected to wrestle at a high
level. “Guys who were pretty good in grade school know they have to up
their level of skills and they do it.”
Hogan credits the success of his teams to his assistant coaches.
“This year we had 10 assistants in our room. Six of them were state champions
from Don Bosco. I am working with friends and we develop special
relationships with the kids.”
Hogan believes his background as a wrestler has also helped him become
a better coach. “I understand how wrestlers process things, both the wins
and losses, pressures and other things. They know I can relate to them
and they listen and learn.”
A brief summary of Hogan’s coaching career includes Wartburg College
from 1995-1998 winning the first team national title. Don Bosco assistant coach
from 1999-2011 under coaches Dan Mashek and Tom Kettman.
Bosco head coach 2012-present. Won 8 sectional championships and 8
District championships. Qualified for State Duals 7 times. Traditional
state champions in 2012 and 2nd in 2017 and 2018. State Duals champions
in 2018 and 2019 and 2nd in 2014 and 2017. Previously inducted in the
Iowa High School Wrestling HOF, Division 3 HOF, and Wartburg College HOF.
“My current coaching record after this season is 209-46 after 9 seasons
as head coach, we were 28-3 this season. We got 2nd at the State Duals
and 1st in the Traditional State Tournament in 1A this year. We had
9 place winners with a state champion, four 2nd places, two 3rd places,
a 5th place and a 6th place” Hogan noted.
Hogan, a 2022 Inductee, was to be inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020 along with, Tom Huff, G. Wyatt Schultz and Chad Zaputil until the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 banquets. Hogan has since retired as the Don Bosco coach.
Additional Honors & Achievements
2021 Bob Siddens Iowa High School Coaching Excellence Award
College
CoachJim Miller & Bob Siddens
Record112
1993 NCAA champion at 150-pounds
Two-time NCAA Division III All-American
Twice named Wartburg’s Most Valuable Wrestler
Coaching
Record209-46
1999-2011 Don Bosco Assistant Coach under coaches Dan Mashek and Tom Kettman
2011-2020 Don Bosco Head Coach
Won 8 sectional championships, 8 District championships, qualified for State Duals 7 times and produced traditional state champions in 2012 and 2nd in 2017 and 2018. State Dual champions in 2018 and 2019 along with 2nd place in 2014 and 2017.
Inducted into the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame, Division 3 Hall of Fame, and Wartburg College Hall of Fame.