Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech head wrestling coach Tom Brands is headed home.

The former Olympic gold medalist and four-time All-American has accepted the head coach position at his alma mater, the University of Iowa, leaving the Virginia Tech program in a state of turmoil.

"The status is Tom Brands is the new head wrestling coach at Iowa," said assistant coach Wes Hand. "Everything else is uncertain at this point."

Brands had been the head coach at Tech for the last two seasons, compiling an overall record of 17-20 in dual meets ? going 16-4 in his first season (2005) and leading the Hokies to the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title. Brands had several of his wrestlers redshirt this past season in preparation for a 2006-2007 campaign that many say would have put Tech among the nation?s elite.

"Obviously we?re very disappointed that he is not going to be with us at Virginia Tech," athletics director Jim Weaver said. "We hoped to have him three to five years and we really thought we were on the verge of a top-ten showing at nationals next season."

Under the 136.5-pound 1996 gold medalist, the Hokies had five wrestlers win conference titles, with senior Mike Faust winning ACC Wrestler of the Year for 2006.

Brands is no stranger to the coaching staff at Iowa. Before guiding Tech, he served as an assistant coach for the Hawkeyes for 12 seasons ? beginning immediately after he graduated in 1992.

"Unfortunately, his alma mater came calling. I think it?s a great opportunity for him and his family," Weaver said.

Brands? move raises immediate concerns for the Hokie wrestling program ? namely, who will take the helm and what is the future for the program?

"Virginia Tech has not contacted me yet, but (becoming the head coach) is an option," Hand said.

Hand also noted that while he and Brands had spoken about possible changes in the future, he was staying flexible.

"Coach Brands and I have discussed a lot, but the future is really uncertain right now," Hand said. "I?m excited about any opportunity I can take."

The status of Virginia Tech?s No. 1-ranked recruiting class and current wrestlers could be affected by Brand?s move to Iowa City. The possibility exists that Tech will lose several of both its current wrestlers and potential signees to the Hawkeyes. Freshman Brent Metcalf has declared he will follow Brands, while Iowa native Joey Slaton expressed his intentions to transfer to the Hawkeyes via Facebook. Fellow Iowa natives Dan LeClere and Jay Borschel are considering a transfer as well. All four spent their first year at Tech redshirting.

"I think a number of his wrestlers will transfer with him," Weaver said. "In individual sports like wrestling and golf, athletes go to schools for the coach."

Hand points to the relationship that Brands developed with his recruits and current wrestlers as a factor that will determine where they attend school.

"All (of the wrestlers) are aware of the situation," Hand said. "When you build such good relationships with them, you can expect them to go with you."

With the future of the program in the air, Weaver said it is important to do what?s best for the wrestling program and the athletic department is currently analyzing the situation for the best possible solution.

Coexisting with the departure of Brands are rumors of adding a women?s golf team. Weaver emphasized that while there are no set plans for such a move, women?s golf would be the next team added if the department took that route.