63 photos: Wrestling legend Dan Gable through the years

On Aug. 30, 1997, Dan Gable aknowledges the standing ovation and roar of the crowd with a return salute as he was inducted into the Iowa State Sports Hall of Fame during a half time ceremony of the Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State football game in Ames.

President Donald Trump awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to Olympic gold medalist and former University of Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Washington.

Olympic gold medalist and former University of Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable speaks after President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Washington.

Dan Gable celebrates during a dual meet on Feb. 18, 1996 in Iowa City.

Iowa legend Dan Gable visits with the team on stage after the Hawkeyes won the 2008 NCAA Championships on March 22, 2008, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Dan Gable is a native of Waterloo who has compiled the most impressive resume in wrestling history. He won 182 out of 183 matches as a high school and college competitor. He also took gold in the 1972 Olympics and coach Iowa to 15 national championships.

A golden moment: Dan Gable battles Ruslan Ashuraliev of the Soviet Union during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. The Iowan's 3-0 victory gave him the gold medal.

In this 1972 photo, the mayor of Waterloo (Lloyd Turner) and his wife greet Olympic gold medal winner Dan Gable on his return home from Munich, Germany. A small group waited outside the Waterloo airport for the plane that arrived at 2:30 a.m.

Gary Kurdelmeier, right, and Dan Gable in their early years at Iowa. Kurdelmeier hired Gable as an assistant coach in 1973.

In this 1991 photo, Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable confers with Terry Steiner.

In this undated photo, Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable confers with Mark Reiland.

In this 1991 photo, Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable helps Tom Ryan off the mat after a match.

In this 1991 photo, Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable talks with John Oostendorp.

In this 1977 photo, Iowa coach Dan Gable leads the celebration after the top-ranked Hawkeyes raced to tie Iowa State 17-17. Also pictured: John Bowlsby (rear), Keith Mourlam and assistant coach Jay Robinson. Iowa trailed 14-5 after six bouts.

Iowa's 1987-88 wrestling poster depicts Dan Gable teaching "A New Era."

Iowa's 10 wrestlers who qualified for the NCAA Championships after winning the Big Ten Conference title in Iowa City in 1976, when Dan Gable (pictured in the middle) was an assistant coach under Gary Kurdelmeier.

In this Feb. 20, 1982 photo, Iowa coach Dan Gable has a word with Lou Banach after an 8-8 draw against Iowa State's Perry Hummel.

In this 1983 photo, Iowa coach Dan Gable is pictured with Tim Riley.

In this 1995 photo, Iowa coach Dan Gable is pictured with Ray Brinzer, who had just won a title in the Big Ten Conference tournament.

In November of 1995, Iowa coach Dan Gable is pictured during media day.

In November of 1995, Iowa coach Dan Gable is pictured during media day.

Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable makes his point to his 158-pounder Daryl Weber during a first round match against Augsburg College's Jim Peterson at the National Dual Championships, Saturday, Jan. 20, 1996, in Lincoln, Neb. Next to Gable is assistant coach Royce Alger.

On Feb. 18, 1996, Iowa coach Dan Gable congratulates Mark Ironside after he beat Iowa State's Jason Derry at 134 pounds.

On Feb. 18, 1996 in Iowa City, Iowa coach Dan Gable meets 118-pounder Mike Mena at the edge of the mat after Mena pinned Iowa State's Jason Nurre in 4:47.

Dan Gable is pictured during the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis on March 22, 1996.

This photo was taken on May 23, 1996. Dan Gable, left, and Irving Weber, 95, both of Iowa City, were among 66 Iowa Community Hero torch bearers when the Olympic flame passed through Iowa.

Dan Gable displays his wrestling gold medal in Iowa City, Iowa in 1996.

From left, Bruce Baumgartner, 1984 and 1992 gold medalist in wrestling, Joe Frazier, 1962 gold medalist in boxing and Dan Gable, 1972 gold medalist in wrestling attend the 100 Golden Olympians gala reception at the Marriott Hotel in Atlanta Thursday, July 18, 1996.

In this March 18, 1997 photo, Dan Gable instructs his wrestlers at the University of Iowa, among them Joe Williams, center and Justin Decker. Williams was a defending national champion.

In this March 18, 1997 photo and still recuperating from hip-replacement surgery, Dan Gable relies on crutches as he supervises his wrestlers during a workout.

In this March 18, 1997 photo and with eight-year-old Mackenzie on his lap, Dan Gable watches 14-year-old daughter Molly compete at a swimming meet in Iowa City. His wife, Kathy, is at left, next to daughters Annie, 17 and Jenni, 19.

Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable announces Monday, July 14, 1997, in Iowa City that he will leave the head coaching position after 21 years stating among other reasons the desire to spend more time with his family. "I've done everything I can as an athlete and a coach," he said. "I'm at a point where I can help others."

Iowa coach Dan Gable holds still as his daughter Mackenzie, 9, moves his mouth as she said, "I am not going to retire." after a news conference in Iowa City, Monday, July 14, 1997.

Iowa coach Dan Gable, who is on a year's sabbatical from coaching the team, calls for a two-point takedown for Iowa wrestler Dough Schwab during his 126-pound match against Oklahoma State's Eric Guerrero, Saturday, Feb. 14, 1998, in Iowa City.

Dan Gable spent much of the day on Oct. 17, 1999 talking with wrestling fans like Clay Blanchard of Des Moines and signing autographs during the grand opening of InterMat Wrestling in Johnston.

In this Oct. 13, 2000 photo, U.S. freestyle coaches Dan Gable, left, and Bruce Burnett offer direction to former University of Iowa Star Lincoln McIlravey during his win against Turkey's Yuksel Sanli.

In this March 17, 2001 photo and at right, Minnesota's J Robinson takes a ribbing from former Iowa coach Dan Gable, right, his ex-boss. Minnesota won its first team title under Robinson.

Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, left, meets with Dan Gable in Leach's Capitol Hill office Wednesday, July 11, 2001.

In this June 18, 2002 photo, Dan Gable gets dumped in his backyard pool by daughters Molly, 19, left and Mackenzie, 14.

In this August of 2002 photo, Ryan Heim, who was in a coma for more than a month after a car crash in January 2002, is greeted by former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable.

Former Iowa State University and Olympic gold medal-winning wrestlers Glen Brand (1948), Ben Peterson (1972) and Dan Gable (1972) sign autographs during a program honoring Iowa State's five Olympic gold medalists Friday, June 17, 2005, in Ames.

Head coach Tom Brands and assistant coach Dan Gable pose at the Iowa Wrestling Media Day, November 7, 2006 at Carver Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City.

In this March 7, 2006 photo, Fred Hoiberg, left, former Iowa State University basketball star and guard with the NBA Timberwolves, and Dan Gable, former University of Iowa wrestling coach, autograph shirts Tuesday at the Iowa Statehouse as part of Soy Day activities.

Iowa assistant coach Dan Gable jokes with head coach Tom Brands during the 149 lb match of their home dual against Arizona State Saturday November 25,2006 at Carver Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City.

On Dec. 21, 2006, Iowa assistant Dan Gable and others celebrate a moment.

Iowa assistant coach Dan Gable reacts during the 197 lb match between sophmore Dan Erekson and Iowa State's Kurt Backes, Sunday December 3,2006 at Carver Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City, Iowa. Erekson won 11-9.

Iowa head coach Tom Brands gets a hug from mentor Dan Gable after Iowa won the 2008 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships on March 22, 2008, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

On Dec. 3, 2008, former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable addressed the crowd before Grand View University's first-ever home meet.

In this Dec. 3, 2008 photo, 7-year-old Mak Kaldenberg, of Johnston posed for a photo with former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable. Gable was the guest of honor at Grand View University's first-ever home wrestling meet.

UI assistant to the Athletic Director Dan Gable argues with Wisconsin head coach Barry Davis during following the second overtime of the 165 pound match, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2009, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City.

On Aug. 26, 2009, former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable, left, chatted with Reese Stahlbaum, 11 of Johnston, while signing autographs at the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops in Altoona.

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, greets Kathy Gable as her husband, former University of Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable, looks on at the Hamburg Inn No. 2 in Iowa City on May 7, 2007.

Former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable, standing center, works with UI junior Daniel Dennis to show a technique to former UI wrestler Doug Schwab, left, as former UI wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Randy Lewis, right, looks on Aug. 4, 2008, in the UI wrestling room at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Honorary captain Dan Gable takes the field with Iowa team captains Brett Greenwood, Ricky Stanzi, Karl Klug and Adrian Clayborn, for the coin toss, before the Ohio State game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City.

Dan Gable does a work out at the University of Iowa Field House in Iowa City on Thursday, June 2, 2011.

Legendary Waterloo High School wrestling coach Bob Siddens talks with Dan Gable during "This Is Your Life, Dan Gable" at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center kicking off FryFest 2011 on Friday, September 2 in Coralville, IA.

Terry, left, and Tom Brands spoke during "This Is Your Life, Dan Gable" at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center kicking off FryFest 2011 on Sept. 2 in Coralville.

Dan Gable jokes with former Iowa football coach Hayden Fry during "This Is Your Life, Dan Gable" at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center kicking off FryFest 2011 on Sept. 2 in Coralville.

Hawkeye icon Dan Gable takes a moment while reflecting about the death of his older sister, Diane during "This Is Your Life, Dan Gable" at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center kicking off FryFest 2011 on Sept. 2 in Coralville.

Spectators watched a short film before the start of "This Is Your Life, Dan Gable" at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center kicking off FryFest 2011 on Sept. 2 in Coralville.

Former Gable wrestler Barry Davis embraces his former coach during "This Is Your Life, Dan Gable" at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center kicking off FryFest 2011 on Sept. 2 in Coralville.

Dan Gable demonstrated with redshirt freshman Matt Gurule during a clinic explaining the difference in techniques and rules between folk style wrestling and freestyle wrestling at the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex on Saturday morning, April 7, 2012.

Former Hawkeye wrestling coach Dan Gable, right, and current head coach Tom Brands are photographed at the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, April 13, 2012. Gable wears his 1972 Olympic gold medal while Brands sports his won in the 1996 Games.