Brent Metcalf - Head Coach - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Brent Metcalf

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
Phone:
515-294-6532

Brent Metcalf was hired as the ninth head coach of the Iowa State men’s wrestling program on April 16, 2026 following eight seasons as a full-time assistant coach for the Cyclones. Metcalf first joined the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant prior to the 2017-18 season.

Metcalf was instrumental in helping Kevin Dresser rebuild the Cyclone wrestling program from the ground up since 2017. Highlighted by two top-10 NCAA finishes, a 2024 NCAA team trophy and Big 12 title, Metcalf’s efforts have seen Iowa State re-enter the national conversation as one of the nation’s top wrestling programs.

In 2026, 10 Cyclones qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2010. ISU’s 8^th place finish at the 2026 NCAA Championships was the second top-10 finish for the Cyclones since Metcalf arrived in Ames.

The ISU coaching staff inherited a program that scored one point and finished tied for 57th at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Since then, Iowa State has finished T-45th, 16th, T-13th, 17th, 11th, 4th, T-27th and 8th at the national tournament.

Iowa State had no conference champions in 2017 and failed to have a wrestler reach All-American status. Since then, Metcalf has had a hand in developing 13 Big 12 Champions and 17 NCAA All-Americans.

Working closely with Cyclone blue-chipper David Carr, Metcalf helped Carr to four Big 12 titles, three national finals appearances and two national titles. Carr won his second national title by defeating four All-Americans and three past or future national champions. With Metcalf’s guidance, Carr reversed two consecutive losses to Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole in the national semifinals to reach the title match where he beat Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink.

He also played a large role in developing All-American brothers and current Cyclones Evan and Jacob Frost. Both brothers were under-the-radar prospects out of high school, rated outside the top 200 nationally, but achieved All-American status after developing in Ames with Metcalf as their individual coach.

Prior to Iowa State
Metcalf served as the National Freestyle Developmental Coach prior to his arrival in Ames. He joined the USA Wrestling coaching staff in November of 2016 and was responsible for coaching the age-group men’s freestyle World Teams, directing the freestyle resident athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and serving as an assistant coach on the Senior national team.

Wrestling Career
A legend in the sport, Metcalf is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Iowa wrestling history. He won two NCAA titles (2008, 2010) and was a three-time NCAA finalist (2008-10) in his three seasons wrestling for the Hawkeyes.

Metcalf won the 2008 Dan Hodge trophy, given annually to the nation’s best collegiate wrestler, and helped the Hawkeyes to three NCAA team titles (2008, 2009, 2010). He finished his college career with a 108-3 record, the second-best winning percentage in Iowa history (.973), a 69-match winning streak from 2008-09 and 47 career falls.

As a senior-level athlete, Metcalf was a staple in the United States’ lineup from 2010-2016. He was a part of four U.S. Freestyle World Teams (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015). He won a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Canada and claimed World Cup gold medals in 2014 and 2015 in Los Angeles. Other major international events he won included the 2014 UWW Golden Grand Prix Finals in Azerbaijan and a silver medal at the 2013 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia.

Metcalf qualified for the U.S. Freestyle National Team for six-straight years from 2010-16, winning U.S. Open titles in 2014 and 2015. He was also a member of the 2006 Junior World Team.

A native of Davison, Michigan, Metcalf is one of the most highly touted prep wrestlers to come out of the state. While wrestling for Davison High School, he posted a record of 228-0 with 156 victories by fall. He was one of the best athletes to wrestle in USA Wrestling’s age-group program, winning six ASICS Junior National Titles, three each in freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Personal
Metcalf and his wife, Kristen, have four children: Chase, Cole, Wyatt and Georgia.

Metcalf earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa in 2010. He was inducted to the Glen Brand National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2023.

Coaching Timeline
USA Wrestling, Freestyle Developmental Coach, 2016
Iowa State, Volunteer Assistant, 2017-18
Iowa State, Assistant Coach, 2018-2026
Iowa State, Head Coach, 2026-pres.

Personal Profile
Born: July 14, 1986 in Flint, Michigan
Hometown: Davison, Michigan
Wife: Kristen; Children: Chase, Cole, Wyatt and Georgia
Alma Mater: University of Iowa (B.S., 2010)