William M. “Bill” Dotson

October 6, 1939 – July 3, 2021

The Waterloo schools produced several outstanding wrestlers during the 1960s, and among this distinguished group stands William M. “Bill” Dotson, inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1993. Known affectionately by the nickname “Beets,” Dotson built an extraordinary legacy as a competitor, coach, and respected official, exemplifying the best of Iowa wrestling.

Dotson graduated from Waterloo East High School, where he was a four-year letterman in wrestling under coach Dave Natvig. In addition to his wrestling prowess, he was a two-year letterman in football and earned four letters in baseball, showcasing his broad athletic talent. In 1958, he was voted Waterloo East’s Most Valuable Athlete, reflecting his all-around contributions to the school’s sports programs. On the mat, Dotson was an All-Conference selection for three straight years and captured two Iowa state championships, cementing his place among the state’s elite prep wrestlers.

Continuing his wrestling journey, Dotson enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa (then known as State College of Iowa), where he competed under the legendary coach Bill Koll. Over his college career, he amassed an outstanding 34-0-4 record, wrestling at weights ranging from 137 to 197 pounds, a remarkable demonstration of both versatility and technical dominance. Dotson won NCAA Division II national championships in 1962 and 1963 and was the NCAA Division I runner-up in 1962, followed by claiming the Division I national title in 1963. The 1962 NCAA Division I finals featured a unique showdown, as Dotson faced Tom Huff of Waterloo West—who wrestled for the University of Iowa—creating an all-Waterloo championship bout on the biggest collegiate stage.

Dotson launched his coaching career as an assistant to Keith Young at Cedar Falls High School, before becoming head coach at Dubuque Senior High School in 1966. He later returned to lead programs at Waterloo East, his alma mater, and at Charles City High School. Across his high school coaching career, he compiled a solid record of 101 wins, 44 losses, and 3 ties, producing numerous state qualifiers and fostering strong team cultures wherever he coached.

In 1978, Dotson transitioned to college coaching, moving west to become an assistant at Western State College in Colorado, where he also earned his master’s degree in physical education. Later that same year, he was named head wrestling coach at Northern Michigan University. In 1980, he accepted the head coaching position at the University of New Mexico, leading the Lobos’ program and building its competitive reputation. By 1992, he was still serving in this role, and records show he continued to mentor collegiate wrestlers into the early 1990s, contributing significantly to the sport’s growth beyond Iowa.

Dotson also dedicated time to officiating, working NCAA Division I, II, and III national tournaments from 1964 to 1969, further underlining his commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of collegiate wrestling.

Bill was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992 with LeRoy Alitz.

High School

CoachDave Natvig

• Two-time State Champion
• Three-time All-Conference

College

CoachBill Koll

Record34-0-4

• 1962 137-pound NCAA D-I Runner-up
• 1963 137-pound NCAA D-I Champion
• 1963 137-pound NCAA D-II Champion

Coaching

High School Record – 101-44-3

Cedar Falls High School – Assistant Coach 

Dubuque High School – Head Coach 

Waterloo East High School – Head Coach 

Charles City High School – Head Coach

Western State College – Assistant Coach

Northern Michigan University- Head Coach

University of New Mexico – Head Coach (1981-1990) – 47-32

• 5 NCAA D-I All-Americans