Duane Goldman has had an illustrious coaching career at IU.
After 24 years as the wrestling coach at IU, Goldman was inducted into the Colorado Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“It is a great honor and I feel very fortunate to be inducted,” Goldman said. “For it to have taken place in Colorado is special because that is my home state and where I grew up.”
This is the third hall of fame Goldman has been inducted into.
In 2009, Goldman was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame after a successful collegiate wrestling career there. He has also been inducted into the Glen Brands Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Goldman became the coach at IU before the 1992-93 season and since he took over, IU has won 281 dual meets and has had a .622 winning percentage.
With Goldman at the helm, two Hoosiers have become national champion wrestlers. Joe Dubuque won in 2005 and 2006 and Angel Escobedo won in 2008. Goldman has also had three NCAA finalists and 28 All-American selections during his time as coach.
Goldman was reflective about the honor and said it was more about the people that helped him get where he is.
Goldman has been a part of wrestling for many decades and continues to be passionate about teaching and affecting the lives of his wrestlers.
“The impact you can have on people at an important time their lives is great,” Goldman said. “During college, they face a lot of challenges and they are trying to choose what direction to go with their lives.”
Goldman’s passionate about helping wrestlers beyond the mat and he leads them as they grow and develop in college.
His drive has not waned, even after 24 years at IU.
“I am driven by the idea that there’s always people that need your help,” Goldman said. “There are always new goals to accomplish. I enjoy helping people.”
After growing up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Goldman wrestled in college at the University of Iowa. Goldman had a terrific career at Iowa, going 132-10 in four years while also winning four Big Ten Championships.
Goldman was a four-time All-American and won the NCAA Championship at 190 pounds in his final season after three straight second-place finishes.
Goldman competed for many years as a member of the U.S. National team and won a gold medal at the 1987 Pan-American Championships.
Coming to IU as an assistant coach, Goldman worked under Joe McFarland, the current coach at Michigan, before Goldman became coach in 1992.
“IU’s been a great place for me,” Goldman said. “All my children have been born and raised in Bloomington. I’ve been able to coach so many All-Americans and been a part of a great university. It is just a blessing to be able to coach here.”
During his time at IU, Goldman has coached many great wrestlers and been a lot of special moments. However, he said there’s no one moment that sticks out as his favorite.
“It’s about seeing people accomplish goals that are greater than they ever could imagine,” Goldman said. “It’s more about the student-athletes and not me.”
Coaching individuals to new heights is what Goldman said is his favorite thing about coaching at IU.
He’s had success because he has a simple approach to coaching.
“I try to get the wrestlers to realize what they can accomplish,” Goldman said. “I try to make everyone feel important, from the superstar wrestler to the walk-ons. Everybody has a role and has something to achieve.”
However, it’s not always easy to be the coach.
Goldman said the hardest times to be a coach are when things don’t go right for his wrestlers.
“The things that make coaching great also make it hard,” Goldman said. “The hardest times are when wrestlers struggle and are disappointed. The same things that bring them joy can also bring them heartbreak.”
The wrestling program has had great success with Goldman, but he believes the program can grow more fans with the new wrestling facility being built.
In March, IU announced it was planning to build a new indoor arena that will house the IU volleyball and wrestling programs. The venue will seat 3,000 and be located near Assembly Hall. It should be ready before the 2019-20 school year.
“It will be really nice to be on campus,” Goldman said. “We are going to be accessible to the students and fans. Fans know where all the athletic events are and this will provide us greater accessibility for everyone.”
Goldman said he isn’t thinking about his legacy at IU.
“Honestly, I want to remembered as someone who really worked hard,” Goldman said. “I want to be known for representing the school and the athletes with pride.”
