Career
An intense competitor, Brands' wrestling career with the University of Iowa included a record of 158-7-2 and an undefeated season in 1991 where he was 45-0. He was named 1993 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year, 1993 John Smith Outstanding Freestyle Wrestler, and 1993 Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2001.
Brands served 12 seasons as assistant coach for the Hawkeyes, from 1993 to 2004. He also served as head coach at Virginia Tech for two seasons. In the spring of 2006, Tom Brands returned to the University of Iowa as head coach.
Brands led the Hawkeyes to national titles in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Brands also captured conference titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, and was the 2015 co-champions with Ohio State. NCAA Champions under Tom Brands
Jay Borschel
Matt McDonough (2x)
Brent Metcalf (2x)
Mark Perry (2x)
Tony Ramos
Derek St. John
Brands has authored several instructional VHS/DVD products that teach and advocate his "in-your-face" style of wrestling.
Brands grew up in Sheldon, Iowa and holds a bachelor of science degree in physical education from the University of Iowa.
