Iowa State men’s wrestling just added another former Hawkeye to its staff.
Two-time NCAA finalist and three-time NCAA All-American Drake Ayala has been hired as an assistant coach for the Cyclones, the program announced Wednesday, May 6. Ayala is coming off his final NCAA season, where he took fifth place at 133 pounds. Before that, Ayala was an NCAA qualifier as a true freshman in 2021-22, redshirted in 2022-23, then made the NCAA finals in 2024 and 2025. His all-time record in college was 83-26.
Ayala told reporters following his final match that he was unsure what would come next, but as the face of the Hawkeye program the last two seasons, coaching felt like a logical transition.
“I am incredibly excited to join the Iowa State staff as an assistant coach,” Ayala said in a press release. “Coach (Brent) Metcalf is building something special in Ames, and I’m honored to join the staff and contribute to that vision. I have a great deal of respect for the way this program carries itself on and off the mat, and its values and goals align closely with who I am and where I come from. I’m excited to give my all to help Cyclones chase World, Olympic, and NCAA titles.”
Ayala is a Fort Dodge native. As a Dodger, he was a three-time state champion and four-time finalist. He owned a 171-3 record in high school, along with winning a Super 32 title and three Fargo championships.
The Cyclones had an open assistant position following the leadership shuffle that saw Kevin Dresser move into the role of director of men’s and women’s wrestling and Brent Metcalf taking over the head coaching role. Derek St. John was also elevated to associate head coach. Dresser, Metcalf, St. John and Ayala are all former Hawkeyes. As a lightweight, Ayala’s addition to the staff gives wrestlers a young mentor with the ability to train with in practice.
“Drake is a great addition to our coaching staff,” Metcalf said in a statement. “He just wrapped up an outstanding collegiate wrestling career, and I have no doubt that Drake will be a valuable resource for our lightweight athletes every day in the room. Drake’s work ethic and desire to make those around him better make him a perfect fit for our staff.”
Ayala will be the fourth former Hawkeye on staff at Iowa State, following in the footsteps of Dresser, Metcalf and Derek St. John. Additionally, Ayala’s younger brother Dru Ayala has entered the transfer portal an Iowa spokesperson confirmed, seeing both Ayala brothers depart Iowa City.
Iowa State will look to improve on its eighth-place finish at the 2026 NCAA Championships with its staff now set for the 2026-27 campaign.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State wrestling hires Drake Ayala as assistant coach
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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