Retiring Iowa State University head wrestling coach Bobby Douglas listens as Cael Sanderson is introduced as the new Iowa State coach during a news conference, Friday, March 31, 2006, in Ames, Iowa. (AP file Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Bobby Douglas, a pioneer of amateur wrestling who built a Hall of Fame career as both wrestler and coach, died Monday at age 83, according to the Iowa State University and West Liberty University athletics websites. The Bridgeport native spent 13 years as the Cyclones’ head coach.

His tenure in Ames was just one component of Douglas’ legendary career, one where he was a national champion and Olympic wrestler, then coached his wrestlers to 13 national titles while winning a national team title at Arizona State, along with 110 All-America performances.

Douglas was a multisport star at Bridgeport High School in football, baseball and wrestling, but the mat is where he found his greatest successes. He won two Ohio state titles – at 112 pounds as a sophomore and 127 pounds as a senior – then spent two years at what was then West Liberty State College, where he won an NAIA national title at 130 pounds in his first year, then finished as NCAA runner-up at 130 pounds his second year.

He then transferred to Oklahoma State, where he won the Big 8 Conference 147-pound title, the Cowboys never lost a dual meet with him in the lineup, and they captured a pair of conference championships and the 1964 NCAA team title.

His success transferred to the Olympic level, where he became the first Black Olympic wrestler in representing the United States in 1964 and captained the U.S. freestyle team in 1968. Douglas finished fourth in the featherweight division in 1964. He also won five national championships, won silver and bronze in the 1966 and 1970 world championships, respectively, and was named the U.S. Wrestler of the Year in 1970.

Douglas soon began a long and successful coaching career at UC-Santa Barbara in 1973. He became Arizona State’s head coach in 1974 and led the Sun Devils until 1992, winning the 1988 NCAA team title. In 1993, he became Iowa State’s head coach and served there until 2006.

In that time, he led the Cyclones to seven top-six finishes at the NCAA Championships, including the three runner-up finishes in 1996, 2000 and 2002. The 1995-96 squad went to the NCAA Championships with just five qualifiers, but all five earned All-America honors and three made the finals to finish in second. He is only one of four coaches to win at least 400 dual matches.

At ISU, Douglas coached Cael Sanderson, who won four NCAA titles, was a three-time Hodge Trophy winner and became the first undefeated four-year wrestler with a 159-0 career record at Iowa State. Douglas also coached Sanderson to a gold medal at 185 pounds at the 2004 Olympics.

Former West Liberty wrestling coach Vince Monseau, on the WLU athletic website, reflected on what Douglas meant to the Ohio Valley.

“Just loved what he represented as a person – humble, hard working and respected his coaches,” Monseau said. “Always appreciated how he always remembered Coach (George) Kovalick, the Ohio Valley and his roots. No man ever earned what he did in life like Coach Douglas did.”

Current West Liberty head coach Danny Irwin also shared on the website how Douglas impacted him personally and professionally.

“Just a legend in the sport,” Irwin said. “I was lucky enough to talk to him over the phone a handful of times in the last several years. Got to see him do some clinics as a young coach that made a big difference for me in my career. His wisdom and his love for the guys he coached was unmatched. Truly a one-of-a-kind person. My sincerest condolences to his wife Jackie and his family.”

Douglas was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1985, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1987, the Arizona Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999, the Dan Brands Hall of Fame in 2002, and the OVAC Hall of Fame in 2004.