strange_daze

I personally think this would be awesome for the sport in many different ways. Just like Taylor was a/the foundation for the PSU's ongoing run, he could be a foundation for the Cael 'coaching tree'. Let's face it: the only way to really compete with PSU is for someone from within the program to build a similar room and invent the culture in a different location. 'Wrestle Town USA' would be a great place to do that work--and the Iowa fans would be lucky to have him. (I say this as someone who recognizes the value Brands & Co. bring to the program, and while I admire Spencer Lee, he's simply not as positioned as Taylor to hit the ground running in the near term.)

I agree that the team aspect of NCAAs has a big impact on who follows and who actually attends events. More than that, we have compelling storylines of college students who are coming into their own, and the NCAA tournament, itself, is a grand spectacle. I think the freestyle storylines are of interest, too, but they get a bit 'washed out' when we have so many super-studs competing against one another in a quick-paced tournament format. (Gable is a good example, this year, of how a story breaks through the noise.) From a more pragmatic angle: I enjoy attending the NCAA tournament for many reasons, and I'd love to travel to freestyle tournaments like the US Open. Ultimately, though, it's a lot of time and money to invest (e.g., away from family and work), and I personally can't do both events--which is why I pay FLO and visit these boards. I think it's an awesome time to be a wrestling fan, regardless of style. So much content, so little time.

Always seemed like a good guy--congrats, Coach, on an exceptional career.