Jim Zalesky

James (Jim) Zalesky (born January 15, 1961) is an American college wrestling coach and is currently the head coach of the University of Jamestown. He was A former head wrestling coach for the Oregon State Beavers. Prior to joining the Beavers, he was the coach of the University of Iowa wrestling team from 1998 to 2006. At Iowa, he succeeded Dan Gable as head coach, under whom he was a three-time NCAA champion. As head coach for Iowa, he guided the Hawkeyes to three NCAA team championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000. In 2004, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.

"Zalesky" redirects here. For a similar surname, see Zaleski.

Jim Zalesky
Personal information
Born (1961-01-15) January 15, 1961
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Iowa Hawkeyes
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place1982 Ames158 lb
Gold medal – first place1983 Oklahoma City158 lb
Gold medal – first place1984 East Rutherford158 lb

Career

Wrestling

Jim was a four-time All-American at Iowa from 1981 to 1984. He won the NCAA individual title in the 158 pound division in 1982, 1983, and 1984. He went undefeated his last two years, ending his college career with an 89 match winning streak.[1] At the 1984 NCAA Championships he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Amateur Wrestling News named him "Wrestler of the Decade" for the 1980s. This occurred as part of a streak during which the University of Iowa wrestling team won seven consecutive national titles.[2]

He narrowly missed earning a position on the Olympic wrestling team by finishing second in the 163 pound division at the U.S. National competition.[3]

Zalesky is a member of the United States Coaches Association, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.[3]

Coaching

Despite coaching the Hawkeyes to three NCAA team championships in nine years, with a runner-up finish as recently as 2004[4] and a 4th Place finish in 2006, Zalesky was fired as Iowa's head coach on March 30, 2006. Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby cited a decline in the program under Zalesky and the need for a change as the reasons.

Oregon State's prior head coach, Joe Wells, retired a few days later leaving the program on a high note ending with a 13–2–1 record for the 2005–06 season. Zalesky was announced as Oregon State's new head coach on April 14, 2006. Under Zalesky, the Beavers won seven Pac-12 team titles from 2006 to 2020. The Beavers were 147-75-2 in dual meets during Zalesky's tenure. On March 9, 2020, Zalesky was dismissed as head coach by Oregon State University.[5]

On May 4, 2021 the University of Jamestown in North Dakota hired Zalesky as the new men's wrestling coach.[6]

Zalesky coaching record is 274-109-2, with him having coached over 50 All-Americans.[7]

References
  1. "Putting The Clamps On The Crown". CNN. March 19, 1984. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
  2. "Wrestler Zalesky helps Iowa to 7th straight title". The Dallas Morning News. March 11, 1984. p. 11B.
  3. "Oregon State Biography: Jim Zalesky". Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  4. "Jim Zalesky Named Wrestling Coach At Oregon State". Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
  5. "Oregon State fires wrestling coach Jim Zalesky following a 14-year run". March 9, 2020.
  6. "UJ hires hall of fame men's wrestling coach". Jamestown Sun. May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  7. "Jim Zalesky named new Jimmie men's wrestling head coach". University of Jamestown Athletics Athletics. May 4, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.


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