Bobby Douglas

Bobby Douglas attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1967. He was a five-time US champion, placed second in freestyle at the 1966 World Championships, and won a bronze medal at the 1970 Worlds. Douglas just missed a medal at the 1964 Olympics, placing fourth.

Douglas later became even better known as a wrestling coach, starting at the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1973, but then moved to Arizona State in 1975. He coached the Sun Devils through 1992, leading them to the NCAA title in 1988. While at ASU he earned a masters’ degree in 1981.

In 1992 Douglas moved to Iowa State University, helping them finish second at the NCAA meet in 1996, 2000, and 2002. He retired after the 2005/06 season, handing the reigns to his protégé Cael Sanderson. Douglas retired as one of four college coaches to record over 400 dual meet victories.

Internationally Douglas was the head coach for the US Olympic Freestyle Team in 1992, was an assistant coach for six USA Olympic teams (1976-1988, 1996, 2004), and was head coach for USA World Championships teams in 1989 and 1991.

Douglas is a member of the Arizona Wrestling Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame, West Liberty Hall of Fame, Arizona State Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame. Douglas was named 2004 USA Wrestling Freestyle Coach of the Year, and in 2005, received the Iowa State Alumni Association Impact Award. He was USA Wrestling’s 1992 Man of the Year.