Don Parker was a two-time Division II national champion at 177 pounds, winning titles in 1966 & '67 at Northern Iowa. Parker earned All-American honors three times and posted a 65-16-3 career record. He was a Division I All-American in 1967, as well. From 1973 through 1977 Parker was the head coach at Upper Iowa before taking over at the University Wisconsin-Eau Claire in '77, where he is currently the head coach. Parker has coached 12 All-Americans and 18 conference champions during his 30 years at UW-Eau Claire. Parker was a state champion for North Fayette high school in West Union in 1963 at 165 pounds. He was paralyzed in a hunting accident in 1998, and still continues to coach, serving as an incredible testimony to wrestling's ability to provide support in overcoming adversity in life.

Gene Lybbert was a two-time All-American for State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa), placing third at 130 pounds in 1951 and winning the NCAA title at the same weight class in 1952. After college, Lybbert embarked on a remarkable coaching career at Blue Earth high school in Minnesota. During his four-year tenure, his teams won three consecutive state titles and were runners-up once. Retired and living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Lybbert is actively involved with the Northern Iowa wrestling program.