Courtesy UNI Athletics Communications –
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI’s wrestling coach Doug Schwab signed a new seven-year contract, taking him through the 2020-21 season.
“I’m excited for the future of Panther Wrestling, and I’m appreciative of the support from our administration, alumni and fans,” Schwab said. “Along with my staff, I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation we’ve established at UNI.”
Under the new contract, Schwab will earn $115,000 a year with a $100,000 buyout clause should he leave for another job.
“Doug has done a tremendous job with our wrestling program and is very much deserving of the new contract,” said Athletics Director Troy Dannen. “We look forward to our wrestling program’s further achievements under his leadership.”
Schwab crowned his first two All-Americans at UNI in the 2012-13 season with David Bonin and Ryan Loder, who got fourth and seventh respectively at the NCAA national tournament. The team placed 15th, the highest finish from a Panther team since 2005.
He crowned his third, fourth and fifth All-Americans when Joe Colon grabbed third place and Dylan Peters and Joey Lazor took sixth. It was the most All-Americans at UNI since 2002. Peters became the first freshman to earn the honor since 1996. Despite earning more points than the previous season, UNI took 15th for the second consecutive year.
Seven Panthers earned automatic bids to the 2014 NCAA tournament, the most since 2007-08 when nine qualified. Five wrestlers earned a top-15 seed: No. 5 Peters (125 pounds), No. 1 Colon (133 pounds), No. 11 Lazor (141 pounds), No. 10 Cooper Moore (165 pounds), No. 15 Ryan Loder (184 pounds).
UNI was the only Division I wrestling team to finish the dual season undefeated (13-0). UNI hadn’t been undefeated since 1950, when the team went 11-0. The program saw its biggest jump in attendance in at least 14 seasons, posting the ninth highest numbers in the nation. Four home duals in the West Gym were sell-outs (2,060).
Peters’ 13 falls against Division I opponents was the fifth most in the nation. Colon had 10 tech falls, which was the same number as the nation’s Division I leader.
The team implemented its first Mid-American Conference schedule and took second to Missouri at the championships, reaching as high as fifth in the national rankings.
