"My time at Iowa State has been an amazing experience," Washington said. "I'd like to thank the athletic administration, our fans and friends of Iowa State athletics, and especially head coach Kevin Jackson, for giving me the opportunity to become a part of the Cyclone family. I wish our student-athletes all the best, as they pursue their academic and athletic goals. I have no doubt that the future is bright for the Iowa State wrestling program."
During his three seasons under Jackson at Iowa State, Washington helped guide Cyclone wrestlers to All-American status. He was a part of the Cyclones' third-place national team finish in 2010 at the NCAA Championships.
Washington is a native of Berkeley, Calif. He returns to his home state to assume the executive director position for Beat the Streets - Los Angeles, Inc, (BTS-LA), a newly formed non-profit organization focused on promoting and developing wrestling programs at primary schools in Los Angeles. BTS-LA is modeled after the very successful Beat the Streets programs operating in the eastern half of the United States, including the original Beat the Streets -- New York City and Beat the Streets - Philadelphia. Washington begins his position in May.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me to make a difference in the lives of youth members of the Los Angeles, specifically in underserved communities," Washington said. As a product of inner city Oakland, the lessons I've learned through the sport of wrestling have helped me to overcome many obstacles in my life. Wrestling literally prepared me for life's many challenges and has motivated me to achieve many of my personal and career goals. I aim to have that same type of influence on the lives of young people in Los Angeles."
Prior to his career at Iowa State, the Fresno State alum coached at Columbia for seven years, working as head assistant wrestling coach from 2004-07.
"Yero Washington has been the most loyal, hard working and selfless coach I have ever known," Jackson said. "I want to thank Yero for his three years of service to Iowa State. I wish him nothing but the best in his new role as executive director of BTS-LA. He will be greatly missed."
Jackson has begun an immediate search for a replacement.
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