Metcalf Elevated to Iowa State Head Coach; Women's Program Added

Iowa State’s athletic department held a press conference today and dropped a couple of bombshells. One of which was the addition of a women’s wrestling program. The second portion of the announcement stated that Kevin Dresser would move into a role that involves him overseeing the men’s and women’s programs. With Dresser’s head coaching role open, Brent Metcalf has been elevated to the head coaching position.

Athletic Director Jamie Pollard also announced that Alli St. John will be the first head coach of the new women’s program. St. John is a two-time world silver medalist and has assisted with the Cyclone Regional Training Center. Her husband, Derek, has been on Dresser’s coaching staff throughout his entire nine-year tenure, and has been elevated to associate head coach.

The Iowa State women’s program will begin competition during the 2027-28 school year. Alli St. John stated her top priority was hiring assistant coaches and then building a roster. She stated she'll have either two or three assistant coaches on staff. 

The Iowa State gymnastics program was discontinued this year and Pollard stated that their facilities will be repurposed for women’s wrestling, so the team will have their own facility.

Dresser brought Metcalf to Ames in 2017 to be a part of his first coaching staff at Iowa State. Before coming to Iowa State, Metcalf was the National Freestyle Developmental Coach with USA Wrestling.

Metcalf was one of the top competitors for his era, earning the 2008 Hodge Trophy and two national championships while competing for Iowa. He was also a starter on a Hawkeye team that won three consecutive national team titles between 2008-10.

With Metcalf and Derek St. John on staff, Iowa State has finished fourth in 2024 and eighth in 2026. Their 2024 team trophy was the first by the Iowa State team since 2010. During the 2025-26 season, Iowa State defeated rival Iowa in a dual for the first time in 20 duals.