Again, 2 of the 3 guys you list had those negative feelings purely because of the competition within their individual training situations, both of which were several years after college. I will say that PSU is better at handling those types of situations as guys know there are no guarantees at PSU/NLWC.
But I’m still going to agree to disagree on Metcalf. Like you said, he was a Brands guy, he didn’t start as an Iowa guy. He followed Brands from VT to Iowa, giving up a year of eligibility to do so. Went 1-1-2 in his 3 years competing, then wrestled for HWC for several years and left on good terms. He trained under Brands for what, 10 years? I don’t think he has negative feelings about his time there, even if he felt there was an “us against the world” culture. And heck, when he was hired at ISU, Dresser (an Iowa guy himself of course), hired 3 Iowa guys all at once. If the culture was so bad why would he do that? You mentioned St John previously, has he made any comments “that can be interpreted as negative”?
Overall, I’ve heard athletes say only positive things about the Brands brothers as coaches. I don’t think there is anyone currently available that would do a better job than them. What do you suggest Iowa does? Back to the OP of this thread, it seems one suggestion is “new blood” for assistant coaches. I will say I haven’t heard athletes makes many comments at all about Morningstar/Telford, so sure that could be an option. But as I mentioned they’ve certainly had their share of successful upperweights. Even Glazier this year looks like an example of an upperweight having improved in the room.
I’m guessing they’re already planning to, but they need to get Spencer Lee on the staff, although of course that wouldn’t necessarily help any perceived upperweight deficiency. He’s still an “Iowa guy,” but isn’t the prototypical grinder. I also wouldn’t totally disagree that the Brands brothers are kinda the same person and having both of them could be a little repetitive, so if Terry wants to head up his own program I’d certainly encourage that.