Dan Dennis defeated Tony Ramos to earn a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlesAreWarriors.com)Olympian Dan Dennis is returning to Iowa City to become the Hawkeye Wrestling Club's head coach. He replaces another former Hawkeye, Mark Perry, who recently left the position.
"Dan Dennis ranks high as a coach," Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands said in a press release. "He ranks high as a Hawkeye. And he ranks high in our locker room. He is the best choice for a lot of reasons starting with his popularity among our HWC athletes. There is always excitement with a new hire and there is a little more pizazz with this one. Dan Dennis is coming back to Iowa and we are fired up."
Dennis has served as the head coach of RTC South in Chattanooga, Tennessee, since 2018.
"To say I am excited to return to Iowa City and train with the best men and women in the world would be an understatement," Dennis said. "The Hawkeye Wrestling Club gave me opportunities I never would have otherwise experienced, and that support is stronger today than it has ever been. The men and women in the room are incredible. I know how they operate professionally, and I can't wait to get to know them personally. I can tell you right now we are all lock-step with what is next. The Olympics are 15 months away and we will be ready to go."
Dennis, an Illinois native, represented the United States at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has been a U.S. Open champion, U.S. World Team Trials finalist, Grand Prix of Germany champion, as well as a two-time NCAA All-American and NCAA finalist for the Hawkeyes.
In September, Dennis was a guest on The MatBoss Podcast. Listen to the interview below.
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