FALLS, Iowa – University of Northern Iowa Director of Athletics Troy Dannen has tabbed Doug Schwab as the Panthers’ ninth head coach in the program’s illustrious history.

“Doug is going to bring passion and intensity back to UNI wrestling. Panther wrestling has a long and storied history and Doug has the championship mentality necessary to re-establish our program as one of the best in the nation,” Dannen said. “His expectations for academic success and a championship lifestyle outside of the wrestling room will ensure not only competitive successes but more importantly, enhanced educational experiences for our student-athletes.”

“I’m extremely excited and grateful to have this opportunity at UNI,” Schwab said. “My main job is to get the guys to buy into the lifestyle – that includes on the mat and in the classroom. I’m looking forward to putting an exciting product on the mat that fans in the Cedar Valley can rally behind and come out and watch. I’m ready to get to work and starting building for the future.”

Schwab, a native of Osage, Iowa, recently completed his fourth season as an assistant coach with the University of Iowa wrestling team after serving as the team’s volunteer assistant coach in 2006-07.

As an assistant for the Hawkeyes, Schwab provided team and individual instruction on a daily basis. He worked with the coaching staff to recruit future student-athletes including leading the recruitment in 2009. He coordinated and scheduled the Iowa City Duals as well as various other dual meets. Schwab assisted with coaching responsibilities before, during and after competition, including weight management and video tape analysis.

In his four seasons on staff, Schwab helped the Hawkeyes to three NCAA and Big Ten team titles. During that time, Iowa crowned six NCAA champions, six Big Ten champions, 23 all-Americans and 24 academic all-Big Ten honorees. The Hawkeyes posted an 82-6 dual record – including perfect records the last two seasons (24-0 in 2008-09, 23-0 in 2009-10).

Several Hawkeye wrestlers earned individual honors during Schwab’s tenure. Former Hawkeye Brent Metcalf was awarded the 2008 Dan Hodge Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate wrestler, as well as the 2008 Jesse Owens Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year award. Former Hawkeye Mark Perry won his second consecutive NCAA title in 2008, capturing his fourth all-America honor. Former Hawkeye Jay Borschel won his first Big Ten and NCAA titles last season, becoming the 19th Hawkeye wrestler to post an undefeated season record (37-0). Sophomore Matt McDonough won his first NCAA title in 2010 after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors at the conference meet.

While serving on the Hawkeye staff, Schwab remained active in international competition. Schwab represented the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, wrestling freestyle at 145.5 pounds (66 kg). He won titles at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and U.S. Nationals. In 2007 he won the U.S. Senior Freestyle title, earned a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Schwab’s other post-college national wrestling accomplishments include winning the 145.5-pound title at the 2003 Sunkist Kids International Open and earning Outstanding Wrestler honors in the freestyle event. In 2005, Schwab won the 145-pound division of Real Pro Wrestling, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors as part of the champion Iowa Stalkers team.

Prior to joining the Iowa staff, Schwab served two seasons (2005-06) as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech University under Tom Brands. During his tenure with the Hokies, the team won the 2005 regular season Atlantic Coast Conference title, set a school record for dual meet wins (16) and had a school-record five wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships. Virginia Tech also crowned five conference champions and two all-Americans, and senior heavyweight Mike Faust was named 2006 ACC Wrestler of the Year.

Schwab was a three-time all-American and Big Ten champion for the Hawkeyes from 1998-2001. He won the 1999 NCAA title at 141 pounds and finished his collegiate career with 130 wins, which ranks 10th-best in school history.

Schwab was born Aug. 3, 1977. He earned a B.S. in communication studies from the University of Iowa in 2001, and is working toward a master’s degree in kinesiology/sport management at the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Allyson, have two sons, Hayden and Hendrix.