Sleep-deprived, emotional and apologetic, wrestling coach Cael Sanderson stood outside the doors of the practice room at the Lied Athletic Recreation Center on Friday, trying to explain the reasons why he is quitting his former dream job.

The night before, Sanderson made the decision to accept the Penn State head-coaching job.

Two weeks before the end of the school year, an offer he said he wouldn’t have previously considered turned into an opportunity he couldn’t resist.

“A lot of the reasons for staying at Iowa State were more emotional,” said the 29-year-old, who was the head coach for just three seasons, but became living legend in Ames over the past 11 years. “This is a place that, where you can get it done here, you know. I haven’t been able to quite do that yet. I believed we were right on the edge, and so that makes it even more difficult to, to leave, but I don’t know — it’s a tough decision. I don’t know how long — I haven’t slept in a few days here. And it feels like it’s the right thing to do, but only time will tell.”

From 1998-2002, Sanderson built his resume as the most successful ISU athlete ever, winning all 159 matches as a Cyclone, including four NCAA Championships.

He concluded his competitive career with an Olympic gold medal in 2004, then became the head assistant for his coach and mentor, Bobby Douglas. Douglas was forced to resign in March of 2006 to clear the way for Sanderson, who experienced immediate success in his short tenure.

In his first season, Sanderson’s Cyclones won the program’s first outright conference title in 25 years. They also placed a close second at the 2007 NCAA Tournament with a group of four seniors and six freshmen.

Those freshmen will be seniors next season and were expected to lead a team that would return all 10 starters. This past March, Iowa State placed third and had four All-Americans at the NCAA Tournament — a disappointing result for Sanderson, who entered Iowa State with a clear expectation for a national title.

“That didn’t make it any easier,” Sanderson said. “And being with these guys —I was an assistant when they were recruited here, but they’re great friends of mine. We’ve been though a lot together, and I expect those guys to win the nationals next year.”

Penn State finished 17th at the NCAA Tournament last year, and had two All-Americans on the medal stand.

On Apr. 4, 11th-year Penn State head coach Troy Sunderland resigned, and Sanderson said he was contacted about the job the following week.

“I just spoke with some people that I rely on a lot, and counsel with — my father, and people like that — and they said ‘Why not listen?’” Sanderson said. “Why not listen, they flew in, and I met with ’em, and it just became a little more intriguing. It’s not, they’re not giving me a huge pay raise or anything like that, I just feel like, it’s just a great opportunity.”

Sanderson said it’s a “better opportunity long-term for me and my family,” but that the decision wasn’t about money.

He wrote on his blog Sunday that his pay increase is “less than 10 percent” from what he made last year, which was $137,000 — the biggest salary of any wrestling coach in the country.

He said Pennsylvania is “consistently the best wrestling state in the country” based on its prep talent and the number of All-American collegians they produce, and that Penn State is “the highest-regarded institution in sports in the East — maybe in the country.”

Penn State also has a stand-alone wrestling facility which was completed in 2006 at a final cost of $4 million.

On his blog, Sanderson wrote the chance to “awake a sleeping GIANT” was a big part of what motivated him.

“I know ISU will always be at or near the top,” he wrote. “I feel terrible that I didn’t accomplish what I said I would do at Iowa State and that was to win the national championship. That alone almost made me pass on what I feel is a better opportunity for my family. It hurts but down deep I know I have made the right decision. I can’t explain that.”

“My intention was never to use Iowa State as a stepping stone,” Sanderson said. “I don’t think anyone would think that. Leaving — I know that’s a tough thing, but I know it’s tougher on me, I think, than any one of our fans. No one cares more about Iowa State wrestling than I do.”

He said apologizes to fans whose loyalty was betrayed.

“They — rightfully so — should be upset. I don’t really have an answer for ’em, other than I’m sorry,” Cael said. “I feel like this is the best move for me and my family.”

Sanderson said he expects his coaching staff to come with him, including his oldest brother, Cody, and other head assistant, Casey Cunningham.

Cael said he expects at least one ISU starter — his youngest brother and 157-pounder, Cyler Sanderson — will want to become a Nittany Lion.

Whether or not that can happen is up to the ISU administration, Sanderson said. Wrestlers who are granted a release for transferring would not have to miss the upcoming season.

“The guys that came here for me, you always want those guys to come with ya, but there’s a lot of different sides to the story,” Sanderson said. “Everyone’s got to look out for their own best interests..”

Cyclone wrestlers were stunned by the decision.

“He just said that it was a move that he wanted to make for his family, so that’s for him to take — take it as it is,” said junior heavyweight David Zabriskie. “He didn’t really satisfy what I was expecting for an answer, but I didn’t know what I was expecting for an answer, either.”