Drake Ayala joins Metcalf’s staff as assistant coach

Iowa’s Drake Ayala reacts after defeating Oklahoma State's Rin Sakamoto in a 133-pound match Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Head coach Brent Metcalf announced Wednesday that Drake Ayala, a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA finalist, has been appointed – pending a background check – as an assistant coach for the Iowa State men’s wrestling team. Ayala, who wrestled for the University of Iowa between 2021 and 2026, will occupy one of the two vacant assistant coaching roles on the Cyclone staff.

“Drake is a great addition to our coaching staff,” Metcalf said in a press release. “He just wrapped up an outstanding collegiate wrestling career, and I have no doubt that Drake will be a valuable resource for our lightweight athletes every day in the room. Drake’s work ethic and desire to make those around him better make him a perfect fit for our staff.”

Throughout his time as a Hawkeye, Ayala was a four-time NCAA qualifier and compiled a career record of 83-26. He earned national runner-up honors in both 2024 and 2025 before finishing in fifth place during his final season. Out of his 83 career wins, 52 were earned by bonus-point margins, featuring 31 technical falls, 16 major decisions, and five pins.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Iowa State staff as an assistant coach,” Ayala said in a press release. “Coach Metcalf is building something special in Ames, and I’m honored to join the staff and contribute to that vision. I have a great deal of respect for the way this program carries itself on and off the mat, and its values and goals align closely with who I am and where I come from. I’m excited to give my all to help Cyclones chase World, Olympic, and NCAA titles.”

In the 2025-26 season, Ayala went 18-10 with 11 bonus-point wins, finishing third at the Big Ten Championships and fifth at the national tournament. He led the Hawkeyes that year with seven technical falls. Following a year of unattached competition in 2022-23, he reached the NCAA finals in consecutive seasons (2024 and 2025) with records of 27-5 and 21-3, respectively. He was also the 133-pound Big Ten runner-up in 2025.