Beneath the roar of Indiana basketball lies another team filled with grit: IU Wrestling. Step into practice and you’ll hear the thud of bodies hitting the mat – a soundtrack to a program determined to climb back among the nation’s elite.
Head coach Angel Escobedo knows the way. A four-time All-American, NCAA champion, and IU legend, Escobedo returned to Bloomington in 2018 with one mission: lead the next generation of Hoosiers to the heights he once reached.
“I want to win a national title here,” Escobedo said. “People might think I’m crazy, but it’s been done before. Even though it was 1932, it still got done.”
Escobedo isn’t shy about his vision. He wants IU wrestlers chasing All-American honors every season, competing for national titles, and raising the bar for the program’s finish at the NCAA Championships. Last year’s 24th-place-finish – IU’s best in a decade – was a step forward. But for Escobedo, “good” isn’t good enough. He wants “great”.
Extra interview questions with Head Coach Escobedo
That finish also delivered IU’s first All-American since 2017 thanks to DJ Washington. Still, Escobedo is aiming higher: a team-wide breakthrough, not just one standout. And his wrestlers are buying in.
“Obviously we know he knows the path to success,” said IU Wrestler Blaine Frazier. “He was a national champ. He knows exactly how to get there and guide us in the right direction.”
Extra interview questions with IU Wrestler Blaine Frazier
The next test comes in March at the Big Ten Conference Championships in March, where IU will square off against powerhouse programs like Penn State and Iowa. For those who qualify, the journey continues to the NCAA Championships – the same stage where Escobedo once stood as the nation’s best.
It’s a steep climb. But Escobedo believes IU can carve out its place among the giants.
For IU wrestlers, Escobedo is more than a coach. He’s living proof of what’s possible in Bloomington. His story shows greatness isn’t just history – it’s a future they can chase.
This resurgence is about more than wins. It’s about building a culture of belief, where hard work translates into national recognition. Escobedo’s athletes aren’t just chasing history; they’re writing their own.
As March approaches, the Hoosiers prepare to step onto the mat with confidence, guided by a coach who’s been there before. Escobedo’s goal is simple: make IU wrestling great again, one takedown at a time.
