As head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, his teams won 15 NCAA team championships in 21 years, including nine straight between 1978 and '86, and three in a row on two subsequent occasions. In the final analysis, Dan Gable's influence cannot be measured simply in wins and losses. There is no more equalitarian circle than a wrestling mat. While all sports involve God-given athleticism, wrestling eliminates advantages of size and rewards hard work and conditioning. The talented unschooled athlete simply cannot prevail over the dedicated plugger.
Wrestling teaches a healthy respect for the role of limits in life.
All experienced wrestlers know the structure of all the moves. Unlike the professional entertainment that is its namesake, amateur wrestling is devoid of tricks. Yet within the context of a limited number of moves, each wrestler develops his own style which best reflect his nature, physique, and ability. Just as the successful wrestler must know his limits, he must understand his opponent, modifying his own moves to adjust to his opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Wrestlers learn to live within limits imposed by the exacting discipline of the sport.