Iowa State wrestling has apparently learned its lesson.

Cael Sanderson, Iowa State’s resident athlete supreme, has been offered an assistant coaching position with the Cyclone wrestling team. Fresh off the heels of his fourth consecutive NCAA championship and a career record that was devoid of any blemishes, Sanderson said he doesn’t know yet whether he’ll accept.

At least the Cyclones didn’t waste any time in making an official offer to Cael. Try and recall a similar situation involving another ISU wrestling great, Dan Gable. Most Cyclone wrestling fans will remember it well. Gable wrestled as a Cyclone until 1970, during which time he lost only one match, which was his last. A legendary wrestler, he became a legendary coach at the University of Iowa, who, in case you didn’t know, has something of a rivalry with Iowa State.

With Gable as the Hawkeyes’ coach, the University of Iowa won 15 NCAA championships, including nine in a row from 1978 to 1986. He is their all-time winningest coach and coached 152 All-Americans. He was also a two-time Olympic head coach. But he was never a Cyclone wrestling coach. And we can’t have that happening again with Cael.

Think of it. Bobby Douglas, one of the better coaches in the nation, guiding the way. And Cael Sanderson, the greatest wrestler this side of Hulk Hogan, one of his right-hand men.

Coach Douglas has said that the athletic department has already been contacted by other schools inquiring about Cael’s availability. So he’s already become quite the hot commodity in the collegiate wrestling world. And rightfully so.

Just imagine the name recognition and publicity he would bring a program. Recruitment would take off. Sponsors would be salivating at the chance to work with Cael’s wrestlers.

And for Cael, this seems to be a perfect fit. As coach he would still have to train for national and international competition, all leading up to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

And let’s face it Cael, people love you here. You’d be set for life. Help bring home a couple of NCAA championships, and you won’t have to pay for a haircut or a drink for the rest of your life. Cael could run for mayor of Ames and win. He could run for the Iowa Senate and win. And while he may not be able to run for president and win, he could count on Iowa to give him a couple electoral votes.

We beg of you, ISU Athletic Department. Do what it takes to ensure that, if Cael ever does coach, it will be for the Cyclones. Give the man whatever he wants – money, cars, houses, a small sovereign nation. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Keep him here.

We don’t want him becoming a Gopher. We don’t want him becoming a Sooner. We don’t want him becoming a Cowboy.

And we certainly don’t want him becoming a Hawkeye.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Charlie Weaver, Omar Tesdell