Bobby Douglas coached a champion through -four NCAA tournaments and – less than two years ago – the Olympics.

Approaching retirement, the Cyclone veteran had only one man in mind to replace him – that same champion and the name that has defined ISU wrestling for almost a decade.

In a tearful press conference Friday, Cael Sanderson was announced as the successor to Douglas – his coach and mentor – becoming the sixth-ever ISU head wrestling coach. Douglas announced his retirement, ending a 33-year coaching career.

“I wanted to make sure that the future of Cyclone wrestling was in good hands,” Douglas said. “And Cael Sanderson is the only person to lead this program forward.”

Sanderson was his associate coach this past season.

Walking up to the microphone, the new coach stopped and knelt to collect himself before beginning his address, but still spoke through tears.

“One of the best decisions my family ever made was when my older brother signed a national letter of intent with Bobby Douglas and Iowa State University,” Sanderson said. “Ever since that day, Bobby Douglas has had my family’s back, and he has had my back. And he is going to continue to be right by my side and have my back.”

Douglas is becoming assistant athletic director for Iowa State, a responsibility that will involve continued interaction with the wrestling program. A three-time conference coach of the year at Iowa State, he was named national coach of the year in 2000, and finished his 14-year term in Ames with a record of 198-75-3.

Douglas coached Sanderson through his unparalleled four-year run at Iowa State, in which Sanderson became the first-ever undefeated, four-time NCAA champion.

His formal retirement announcement prefaced Sanderson’s address.

“I wasn’t ready for this press conference,” said Sanderson, who turns 27 in June. “Just seeing coach [Douglas], I knew I was going to break down. Just seeing him – it’s hard.

“But I’m ready. I’m ready for this position. And I’m going to expect a lot of help from coach [Douglas].”

Douglas spoke with Athletic Director Jamie Pollard and Associate Athletic Director Bill Smith last Monday to discuss the future of the program. Pollard said they reviewed “the plan for Bobby [Douglas] to coach one last season with Cael [Sanderson] taking over in 2007-08,” then have Douglas assume his administrative responsibility.

Douglas told Sanderson of his decision to retire Tuesday afternoon.

“[Douglas] knew that the greatest amateur wrestler in history was in his wrestling room, and he wanted to make sure that I shared his vision that we had to do whatever was possible to make sure that wrestler stayed in the Cyclone family,” Pollard said of when he and Douglas first spoke last fall. “His desire to design a coaching transition was truly selfless. In a sport that is largely individual, Bobby [Douglas] wanted to make sure that the Cyclone team was poised for the future.”

Douglas’ retirement was first announced on Wednesday evening, soon after the firing of Iowa Head Coach Jim Zalesky.

“It’s a coincidence, but it’s funny: I’m sure people will speculate for years [about the timing of the changes],” Sanderson said.

As for his plans for the program, Sanderson has only one ambition.

“We plan to build off of Coach Douglas’ success and Iowa State’s strong tradition and history,” Sanderson said. “Nothing is changing. Our goal is to be the best in the country every year. We expect to be the best in the country every year. We expect to have national champions every year, and that is our mission.”

Douglas was in attendance at the press conference, but had long-time friend Tom Kroeschell, communications manager, read his statement.

“The bottom line is that I came to work every day to do something I love – teaching young people how to wrestle and helping them mature into adults,” Douglas said. “I could not be more supportive of the choice of Cael Sanderson to take over the Iowa State program . Cael has been around success his whole life and has the respect of the wrestling room.

“When you’ve put as much into a program as I have at ISU, it’s natural to hope one of your own succeeds you. What Cael has done for me personally, the sport of wrestling and – in particular – Cyclone wrestling, can’t be measured.”

Cael Sanderson

March 23, 2002 – Sanderson finishes collegiate career by beating Lehigh’s John Trenge, 12-4, and becomes the first undefeated, four-time NCAA champion.

May 1, 2002 – Sanderson accepts job as administrative assistant for then-Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde. The position allows him to stay in Ames and train and requires him to fulfill administrative, community and fundraising duties.

Aug. 28, 2004 – Sanderson beats Korean wrestler Moon Eiu-Jae, 3-1, to win a gold medal at the Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Oct. 5, 2004 – Sanderson joins Chris Bono to become one of Douglas’ assistant coaches. Zach Thompson – previously an assistant – serves as the team’s administrative assistant under the new scheme.

Sept. 18, 2005 – Bono accepts assistant coaching position at Tennessee-Chattanooga, ending a five-year term as Douglas’ assistant coach. Sanderson becomes Douglas’ associate head coach.

March 31 – With the retirement of Douglas, Sanderson becomes the sixth head coach in ISU wrestling history.

Bobby Douglas

Coached at Arizona State for 18 years, leading the Sun Devils to the 1988 NCAA Championship and a 227-75-6 dual record.

Was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1987.

Was the head coach of the 1992 and 2004 U.S. Olympic teams.

Was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2000.

Is one of only three coaches ever to win more than 400 duals.

Coached the Cyclones to 11 top-10 NCAA Tournament finishes, including runner-up efforts in 1996, 2000 and 2002.

Had 50 All-Americans and 10 individual NCAA champions at Iowa State.

Finishes with a 428-168-9 career dual record.