Bobby Douglas

[Sheerstress]

https://cyclones.com/news/2026/2/24/wrestling-in-memory-of-bobby-douglas

[El Luchador]

RIP Bobby.

[fishbane]

An absolute legend.

[11986]

To me the Arizona State title can never be given enough credit. And that’s only part of the legacy. RIP Coach Douglas

[PlatoPirate]

A legend indeed. May he rest easy. I thank him for his contribution to our sport. 

[headshuck]

I wish Bobby and JRob were still coaching!

[Rassling]

true legend of the sport. I hope they honor him at the NCAA.

[JWC]

https://wtov9.com/news/local/breaking-acclaimed-wrestler-coach-bobby-douglas-dies-at-83

[MPhillips]

Lovely person. Quality Coach. Legend. Friend/classmate of family. My first wrestling hero. West Lib wrestling camps. One of the best to come out of the, 'Valley' and there have been quite a few.

 

 

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

Rest in power Coach Bobby

[CoachDoss11]

RIP COACH....What a legend!  

[baroud]

Remembered from UC Santa Barbara. RIP Coach.

[SocraTease]

Another obituary (or celebration of his life): https://www.thegazette.com/cyclone-wrestling/former-iowa-state-wrestling-coach-and-hall-of-famer-bobby-douglas-dies-at-83/#:~:text=USA Wrestling and Iowa State,had one son%2C Bobby Jr.

[Psalm 1 guy]

This interview of Steve Mocco tells you everything you need to know about Bobby Douglas. At the 2003 NCAA tournament Steve came in as the #1 seed. In his first match Steve was called for an illegal move against his Iowa State opponent, who got injured to the point where Assistant coach Chris Bono was going to have his wrestler take the win via disqualification against Mocco. Coach Douglas was in the stands and saw what was happening. He jumped down from the stands and ran across three mats to make sure his wrestler didn't win that way. He had his wrestler resume the match for one second and then he had his wrestler medically default. This allowed Mocco to advance and ultimately win the title that year. What a class act Coach Douglas was! P.S., The Iowa State wrestler was able to wrestle his next match, but lost in OT.

 

 

[Bigbrog]

Ugh...RIP Bobby Douglas!

[RandolphTJones]

RIP!

[OMW]

if more people were like Bobby Douglas, the world would be a better place

[Grecojones]

14 hours ago, Psalm 1 guy said:

This interview of Steve Mocco tells you everything you need to know about Bobby Douglas. At the 2003 NCAA tournament Steve came in as the #1 seed. In his first match Steve was called for an illegal move against his Iowa State opponent, who got injured to the point where Assistant coach Chris Bono was going to have his wrestler take the win via disqualification against Mocco. Coach Douglas was in the stands and saw what was happening. He jumped down from the stands and ran across three mats to make sure his wrestler didn't win that way. He had his wrestler resume the match for one second and then he had his wrestler medically default. This allowed Mocco to advance and ultimately win the title that year. What a class act Coach Douglas was! P.S., The Iowa State wrestler was able to wrestle his next match, but lost in OT.

 

 

He was the best

[AgaveMaria]

I believe he is the only wrestler to beat Dan Gable five times. 

[MPhillips]

Just now, AgaveMaria said:

I believe he is the only wrestler to beat Dan Gable five times. 

Had to do it in the same day just to make the team...

[D3 for LU]

Significant loss for wrestling...  a legend is gone.

D3

[BillC]

I've always said that for me, wrestling is about the people I've been privileged to meet. Bobby is very high on that list. I was saddened to hear about his passing. I remember in 2003 during the World Championships at the Garden, I had just finished a long night of setup at the venue. I came back to the New Yorker hotel which also housed the Tick Tock diner. I was still a little wound up, so I went to the diner. It was about 1:30 AM. Bobby was there and I sat down with him. We drank milk shakes and talked for about an hour. Mostly I listened. We talked about wrestling and how it translated into life and how leaders in the sport had a duty to the sport. I'll never forget that conversation. Over the next couple of years Bobby always made a point of stopping into Beat the Streets to spend some time with our kids. He was an inspiration to everyone. 

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[silvermedal2]

First Black wrestler to win two state titles in Ohio.  Made two Olympic teams.  Two time world medalist.  Won an NCAA team title at AZ State.  Only Black coach to win an NCAA team title.  Coached the first undefeated NCAA D1 Four Time Champion.  So many accomplishments.  Had the opportunity to attend a clinic where he was a presenter.  He was fantastic (although Wade Schalles was my favorite).  RIP Coach Bob.

[MadMardigain]

been out of the national wrestling loop for the last week  This is not the news I wanted to open up first.  Douglas was an absolute force on the mat.  Few couldn’t rival him. He was a tremendous couching talent developing both NCAA contenders and producing international talent.  He also was one a noticeable inspiration for other young African American wrestler that hoped to one day reach the college ranks or had even bigger dreams.  I had an opportunity to briefly speak with him once. He had just finished heated exchange with Brands and company about a match results at the Olympic trials and within moments turned into a very pleasant and encouraging guy while we talked in the stand together.  He will be sorely missed.  

Edited February 26 by MadMardigain