Isabella Fierros | Mustang News

Cal Poly Wrestling announced that former NCAA All-American Nelson Brands will join the team as an assistant coach Wednesday morning.  

Brands wrestled from 2018-25 at the University of Iowa, where he was a two-time NCAA qualifier and earned All-American honors in 2023. 

He competed at the 174-pound weight class and finished his career with a 59-21 overall record, while training under his uncle and legendary Head Coach Tom Brands. His father Terry Brands is also the associate head coach of Iowa Wrestling.

After a seven-year wrestling career at Iowa, Brands has transitioned to coaching. He served as head coach for Regina High School’s wrestling program in Iowa City from 2025-26. 

Brands has a long history with wrestling, growing up surrounded by wrestling royalty. His father Terry is a two-time World Champion, Olympic medalist and two-time NCAA Champion. The legacy doesn’t end there, as his uncle Tom Brands is an Olympic gold medalist and three-time NCAA Champion.

The Mustang wrestling staff is currently led by Head Coach Jon Sioredas and Associate Head Coach Chris Chionuma. Brands will join Ethan Rotondo and Kendall La Rosa as assistant coaches.