I like when people call him a high school coach. He’s a been a college coach longer than his stint in high school, where he was the best coach in the state.
Wrestling 2025 NCAA Tourney thread
- Thread starter Leonard23
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Does NC state have a lot more NIL and resources over us? Bc they seem to outperform us year in n out so that’s probably why Popolizio gets a pass.. he also got a freshman champ this year.
In 12 seasons under Popolizio, NC State Wrestling has had:
- 3 National Champions
- 7 NCAA Finalists
- 27 All-Americans
NC State has also posted eight straight seasons finishing in the top-10 in the NWCA Coaches’ Poll.
I will answer for myself how I feel about this years performance. Was I happy with the NCAAs NO! Did I think our kids wrestled hard and well YES! Having no AAs disappointing. When I look at what people benchmark as developing our kids, I have to say the coaches have done a good job. Go right through our lineup and for the most part they have improved since they stepped on campus. Poz leaving because he was mentally cooked is not an indictment of the staff. Could we do better? Sure. I still am a dual meet guy and think that should be an equal benchmark for success as is the NCAAs. If Dean, Dylan and Joey win the blood round matches we would all be saying great job. Did not happen so that is sad. The fact that Goodale was not an AA so he can’t coach one is an idiotic statement in my opinion. Try telling baseball managers or football coaches that were not stars they can’t coach kids to win championships. Do I think we are plateaued under Goodale and can’t advance? No. But I do not think the year was a disaster with what was achieved. Goodale was good enough to coach Suriano and Ashnault’s NCAA championship. We just need to land more recruits of their caliber. Fault Goodale and staff for that.
You missed the point. No one held that over Pop, yet they continue to hold it against Goodale and still use it as a reason to push kids elsewhere.
As for NCST, they had a 50 year head start on us, so it's a much easier job with rich tradition, history, and support. It was far more successful for decades because they invested in the program and winning early on, which means they fully funded the 9.9 schollies, had nicer facilities, RTCs and outside elite training partners, etc. NCST had a good practice facility and home arena in the 90s. Bob Guzzo was HC for 30 years there, 1975-2004, and had 4 national champs and 24 AAs, while we were barely funding 2 schollies, looking to cut the program, and hadn't accomplished anything.
This. People don’t realize that generational wealth applies to college sports as well. Rutgers has only been a serious program for about 15 years.
I think you missed my point.. in that the reason why ppl don’t use that as an excuse on Pop is bc well he is succeeding… did u read the list of accomplishments that he’s done to elevate NC State?? And regarding, Goodale, I never used him being a hs coach, I could care less as long as he is producing and is maximizing RU’s location and resources potential.. I just noticed when Goodale is underperforming(no AA 2/3 years is wild at this point) is when ppl will bring up he has no wrestling credentials..
When Goodale was coach of the year and coached two national champs NO ONE was negatively critiqueing Goodale.. that year was our peak and we failed to used the momentum from that moment..
If POP ever starts bringing NC State to no AA and mid 30s rankings I’m sure the nc state fan base will also start questioning where their program is headed and that he is a coach without being a AA himself.
Yes, Goodale brought RU from the graveyard and I saw the early start to the peak and now it has flatlined. We gotta be better somehow. Programs like Little Rock, that didn’t even exist what 6 years ago?? Now as surpassed us.. wtf..
Is Little Rock and NC State swimming in NIL and loaded up in a lot more resources than us?? Why can’t we outperform the mid tier programs around us? I hate it when we are compared to PSU and we don’t have infinite riches as them so we can’t succeed lame excuse.
Little Rock has had 3 all Americans in their entire program history so while they had more this year, let’s not pretend that they’re a better program in any facet.
You are by far one of the most knowledgeable wrestling posters on this site, no doubt, and no slight meant, but you are also a Goodale apologist. To compare what Popolizio accomplished in his wrestling career to Goodale, please, just silly. Popolizio wrestled for John Smith at Oklahoma State and had 90 plus wins, 2 time Big 12 runner-up, and was ranked #1 during at 184 during his senior year. Goodale wrestled at Lock Haven, had 90 plus wins and qualified 3 times for NCAAs, respectable, but not in the same class. The "rich tradition" means nothing in college wrestling and you know it, Rutgers breaks the bank and hires the likes of a Mike Grey from Cornell and we become a B1G title contender within a year. It has nothing to do with tradition and everything to do with the administration not willing to pay for a top-level staff, plain and simple. At Rutgers mediocrity is always viewed as acceptable, excellence is not pursued with the same vigor as it is at other universities, that's just our way.
You're not being honest or you're ignoring reality. Goodale has 2 national champs and 19 AAs, yet people still call him a HS coach and use against him that he wasn't an AA. It's called the double standard. I haven't posted anything comparing us to PSU so I'm not sure where that tangent came from. Everyone knows we need to land more elite recruits, but most don't want to acknowledge the uphill battle we have to do that.
Here's a quick comparison I posted in 2021 to show that brand, history, and $ matter:
In 11 seasons at Hofstra, Tom Ryan had 11 AAs and never had a finalist (3 of those AAs came in yr 11). In his 1st 4 years at tOSU, he had 3 national champs and 15 AAs, and since then in 14 seasons has gone on to win a team title, 7 top 3 team finishes at NCAAs, had 12 individual NCAA champs and 53 AAs. In 11 seasons here, Goodale had 8 AAs, and in his 12th season, he had 2 national champs for a total of 10 AAs. Did Ryan suddenly start recruiting better when he got to tOSU? If that doesn't tell you that brand, support, history, and overcoming those club and HS coach and parent biases, then I don't know what will.
I'm a realist, not an apologist. I have consistently posted for many years that recruiting needs to improve. I'm pointing out why it's so difficult and you can choose to ignore that or accept reality. You also moved the goalposts so now it's ok for Pop to not be an AA because John Smith was his coach and he performed well in the B12.
I've also posted many times that the school/administration hasn't been invested in winning. Short of a JB, Dake or Snyder hiring, making a change for the sake of change, and even hiring someone like Hahn, isn't moving the needle enough. We had Pritzlaff and Buxton here, yet it didn't.
I think Hahn would be an upgrade over Goodale, but most coaches aren’t going to interview for a position that is filled, and if you “fire” Goodale you’re pretty much banking on a Hahn type to take the job. What if he decides he’s happier at SD St, or doesn’t want to relocate his family, or doesn’t share the vision that administration has? Then you got rid of the guy that brought you all this success and run the risk of the program falling apart the same way the football team did post Schiano.
Scott and Pat P. are among the exceptions that prove the rule, most top division 1 coaches are at least All-Americans. But it isn't just a head coach comparison, it's the depth of staffs as well. All three assistants on Pat P’s staff this year were All-Americans during their college wrestling careers and one of them was a national champion. We have Mikey and before that Donnie.
Who is the one ignoring reality?? Pop has Nc State outperform us year in and year out. He has won a team trophy he has had his team finish multiple times in the top 10 at nationals have we reached this mystical milestone??
In your reality, Goodale and Pop have had comparable success yet the double standard is that Goodale gets torn down for not being a college AA and Pop hasn’t . Well, reality is if Goodale has had us as a perennial top 10 team at nationals and a trophy team winner and Pop went 2/3 years w no AA and a top 30ish finish then the roles would be reversed on the critiques.
Its called working through back channels and it happens every day of the week in college athletics.
But admittedly not having an AD or President in place will make any big moves near impossible right now.
Need a bigger name like JB, Dake or Snyder to really move things.
You have a reading comprehension issue and are being dense. I never posted they had comparable success.
You said it’s a double standard with Goodale and Pop without understanding why one gets criticism and the other doesn’t for the “double standard”.
Case isn't closed IMHO. I was backing Bill as he was optimistic about the success during the dual season.
That's all I was doing. I'm sure he wasn't thrilled about the NCAAs but he chose to not be a negative Nelly. But if you want to try and derail his enthusiasm for the program, highlight the positives and minimize the regular season ranking, continue on.
Who knows, Bassett might be better off at OKST. With today's NIL and free agency after every year, he might even end up there eventually. If he likes Iowa and always has Lee to train with, I'm not sure if it will matter all that much that he didn't chose OKST.
If Bassett is truly going to be a generational talent, plan A or plan B will be just fine for him. As for Iowa, the were old news due to Starocci x 5, 10 PSU All-Americans, the rise of OKST, POTUS in attendance, and Gable awesomely going down after being such a pompous ass. Iowa had a champ, two other finalists, and a fourth place finish. The team finished 4th overall. They were overshadowed by many other, notable events. .
Rutgers will not fire Goodale, and we all know Goodale is not giving up his cushy "tenured" job. This is RU, and we know we don't do things well. Heck, we had 2 lottery picks in bball, and we somehow messed that up. Only here.
As knowledgeable fans, we all know that RU can do MUCH better with Hahn, Dake, etc. I even think Ash or Donnie would be a significant upgrade over Goodale. 100%, we'll hire someone MUCH stronger if Goodales leaves his post. Is it happening - no. So it sucks knowing the pool of talent in our backyard and we are regressing.
As knowledgeable fans, we all know that RU can do MUCH better with Hahn, Dake, etc. I even think Ash or Donnie would be a significant upgrade over Goodale. 100%, we'll hire someone MUCH stronger if Goodales leaves his post. Is it happening - no. So it sucks knowing the pool of talent in our backyard and we are regressing.
I remember Those jackson teams regularly beating up on Southern regional. Coach g is a good coach and is very Passionate about the sport of wrestling......... He has brought this program back from the dead........not saying he shouldn't be criticized.
Like many have Stated on here. Unless we hire a dake or a Burroughs leave well enough alone.
Been season ticket holder for 12 years, have seen enough, will not renew for next year. Especially since being a season ticketholder would get you tickets for nationals but not anymore. Was not going to renew for this past year but was told by box office since we had 2 AA'S last year Rutgers would get a decent allocation this year. Was really pissed when no tickets were available being so close in Philadelphia. Always been a big fan of Goodale and he was the main reason why I became a season ticketholder but just not heading in the right direction and Ashnault leaving the program to me says a lot.
Outside of Gable losing, the finals this year were for the most part boring. Had 3 champs who did not even get 1 takedown and I believe 5 other champs got 1 takedown. It seems most matches come down to whoever gets the TD. While I like the 3 point takedown it has changed how matches are wrestled. Can now stall while up 4-1 in 3rd period.
Wrestling has a major problem with intended borderline stalling. It seems to be a major strategy.
Fix that and we get more action which is what is best for the sport.
Larger circle? Tighter stalling calls that are more quickly called? Both probably needed to force action.
In the 125 and 133 finals both went to OT. In the final OT period the eventual winner was just trying to stall the entire 30 seconds.
Who watched this and is like wow this is great?
Fix it! ASAP!
Fix that and we get more action which is what is best for the sport.
Larger circle? Tighter stalling calls that are more quickly called? Both probably needed to force action.
In the 125 and 133 finals both went to OT. In the final OT period the eventual winner was just trying to stall the entire 30 seconds.
Who watched this and is like wow this is great?
Fix it! ASAP!
I thought 141 and 149 were very exciting. I enjoyed 165 too.
There was a lot of stalling in 126 and 133. The hesitancy to call it early seems to make it more of a game changer late which makes it even less likely to be called unless egregious. 3 pt takedown has subtly altered strategy. Id like to see;
1) return to 2 pt takedown
2) 3 pt *first* takedown
3) return to 2 and 3 pt back points
4) elimination of rideouts
5) i think Id prefer criteria over any overtime at this point as it forces action. it's the only thing creating urgency without ref intervention. 7 minutes is enough time.
6) reviews are problematic. I understand their use obviously but don't feel the upside outweighs the painful downside. Keep things moving. Overcoming adversity is part of wrestling. That includes bad calls.
I don't really think anything I've suggested would fix the problem. Better wrestling minds than mine will have to figure out how to create scoring. No matter what is done, evenly matched wrestlers will score less and create less opportunity to score in most cases.
Anything is better than watching 5 minutes of coaches yelling while wrestlers pace and refs look stressed and confused. Resolve that challenge and 20 seconds later a brick flies in for another. It's awful
There was a lot of stalling in 126 and 133. The hesitancy to call it early seems to make it more of a game changer late which makes it even less likely to be called unless egregious. 3 pt takedown has subtly altered strategy. Id like to see;
1) return to 2 pt takedown
2) 3 pt *first* takedown
3) return to 2 and 3 pt back points
4) elimination of rideouts
5) i think Id prefer criteria over any overtime at this point as it forces action. it's the only thing creating urgency without ref intervention. 7 minutes is enough time.
6) reviews are problematic. I understand their use obviously but don't feel the upside outweighs the painful downside. Keep things moving. Overcoming adversity is part of wrestling. That includes bad calls.
I don't really think anything I've suggested would fix the problem. Better wrestling minds than mine will have to figure out how to create scoring. No matter what is done, evenly matched wrestlers will score less and create less opportunity to score in most cases.
Anything is better than watching 5 minutes of coaches yelling while wrestlers pace and refs look stressed and confused. Resolve that challenge and 20 seconds later a brick flies in for another. It's awful
I like the idea that someone mentioned..... A loss challenge results in a stall call.
Challenging a call to allow your wrestler to rest is crazy (but part of coaching now)
Challenging a call to allow your wrestler to rest is crazy (but part of coaching now)
Personally I don’t mind the bricks and current challenge rules except as soon as ref starts the review there’s a 60 second timer. Can’t decide in that time? The call stands as is.
Football needs the 60 second time too.
Football needs the 60 second time too.
I love the 3pt takedown. More action, scoring and points are good. Also like the backs. Incentives wrestlers to work more for turns
I think they’re going to have discussion about adopting certain freestyle rules, like going out of bounds is a point. Happens too often.
I agreed entirely at first. More incentive = more action. Now I'm seeing more risk = less action, or even, secure 1 takedown and stall the rest of the match for a 4-1 win.
I don't really believe the 3 pt takedown is to blame entirely. I was just shooting around ideas. Really though, more points or less points is the sane risk and reward. I'm.not sure it helps or hurts. Some wrestlers get after it. Some are cautious fearing losing those points. Matchup and styles can inhibit or encourage action, regardless of scoring.
I feel much more strongly about rideouts and challenges. This has less to do with my personal enjoyment and more to do with the fact I often watch with non wrestlers or former wrestlers who never competed at the college level. Challenges lose attention or interest instantly. There is no flow to the match. Rideouts in my experience are difficult to explain (as is riding time in general) but also wrestlers hold out waiting for the rideouts rather than getting after the takedown in sudden victory
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I like 3pt takedown rule. I also think switch should be 3pts. Unsuccessful coach's challenge should result in stalling offense, and if your wrestler already has a stall again him, it makes things more interesting. I like 60 sec rule as the duration of time for them to decide. It'll make college wrestling even more exciting.
The usually dependable Priority Points were worthless currency in this potential transaction also. Not sure what happened but lesson learned. $$$$
How about 3 points for an offensive TD and 2 points for defensive TD. I don’t like wrestlers that sit back and wait for the other guy to shoot and then simply look to capitalize. The aggressor should be rewarded. I also don’t understand how guys like AJ Ferrari can sit on top with a claw and thigh-pry for an entire period with zero attempts to turn a guy. He won his only NC by bumping the guy across the mat until they went OOBs. Then reset and repeat. Just chews up clock and you end up with low scoring matches. Just look at his 2-0 match with Cardenas.
The double standard is using that against Goodale as a reason to push kids elsewhere, but didn't do that to Pop
I'm sure there will be others not renewing. Rutgers offered NCAA tickets to season ticket holders on 12/18/24. Supposedly, every school got a much smaller allocation from the NCAA than expected and many were pissed. Did you not get the email, miss the deadline or were the already sold out when you called?
I've had season tix for years and I don't recall getting an email or anything about nationals.
Interesting. I'm guessing they had some priority point cutoff to send the first wave of emails since they had so few tickets, and sold it immediately, so others didn't get an email.
Must have been offered to the highest of donors/priority points only. I never got an email. When I called in February since I didnt see/hear anything, my rep said the allocation was small and might have said only went to family and those close to the program. RU Screw once again.
Maybe, honestly I wasn't going anyway so I wasn't paying too much attention. I have tickets for football, basketball and wrestling so I really needed a break from sporting events. I was good watching on TV.
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