Iowa City Regina has announced that former Iowa wrestler Nelson Brands will lead the school’s wrestling program.
Brands, who was tabbed as the Regals’ new head coach on May 12, wrestled for the Hawkeyes from 2018 to 2024. The son of Hawkeyes’ associate head coach Terry Brands, Nelson Brands was a two-time NCAA Academic All-American and a fifth-place finisher at the NCAA Championships in 2023. He is also a three-time Iowa high school state champion (2016, 17, 18) during his time at Iowa City West.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nelson to the Regina community,” said Regina Activities Director Taylor Hotek in a press release. “His experience as an athlete speaks for itself, but what impressed me most during the hiring process was how positive and personable he is.
“He has a natural ability to connect with student-athletes and has a genuine passion for growing the sport. Both of which are high priorities in our programs. I know he will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff and school community.”
Along with his time as a Division I wrestler, Brands has served as a youth clinician for wrestling camps across the country. He’ll look to use that coaching pedigree and implement it at Regina. He’ll take over the role previously held by Drew Bennett, who coached the Regals for one season.
“I’m so excited to join the Regina community and coach my athletes to accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves,” Nelson Brands said. “Wrestling has always been my passion and coaching Regina Wrestling to individual and team state championships is the goal to chase. Let’s build something special and successful. Go Regals!”
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Former Iowa wrestler Nelson Brands named head wrestling coach at Iowa City Regina
Reporting by Marc Ray, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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