Coach Bob Darrah never wrestled in high school or college, but in coaching over 30 years of high school wrestling his teams won 95% of their matches. Coach Darrah's teams compiled a dual meet record of 340-17-2. That career winning percentage is the best for Iowa high school wrestling coaches. Few coaches in any sport can claim this level of success over three decades and at three different high schools. After coaching at Morning Sun, Urbandale, and Dowling high schools, Darrah was recruited to the collegiate level by the administration and boosters of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. At Simpson, he coached men's wrestling, and eventually women's golf. Coach Darrah was infamous for running intense practices in wrestling rooms. He was also known for punctuating his critiques with what he calls "four letter words." Many were surprised that he could make the transition from that aggressive environment to one that would allow him to facilitate the development of the quiet confidence required of tournament-winning golfers. Yet his skill in developing champions moved easily between sports and genders, as under his guidance the Simpson women's golf team dominated its conference for much of a decade. Coach Darrah has been honored with inductions into numerous wrestling and coaching halls of fame, both locally and nationally. He has been named Coach of The Year multiple times at both high school and collegiate levels. With five decades of teaching behind him, Coach has chosen to share what he feels shaped his personal and professional development. His readiness to learn and innovate helped him show others how hard work and desire could bring rewards. The gold standard of achievement in wrestling in a wrestling-crazed state came through fierce dedication. Coach was known for being tough. Here, Coach's stories expose the root of that toughness growing up in rural Iowa during the Great Depression. Named Robert L. Darrah by his parents, he came of
