Chandler named by USA Wrestling as fourth Olympic Coach for 2004 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wr
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/28/2004
USA Wrestling has chosen Dan Chandler as an Olympic Coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling that will participate in the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He will join USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser of Colorado Springs, Colo., Shon Lewis of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Andy Seras of Sandy Hook, Conn. as the Olympic Coaches for Greco-Roman wrestling. These three coaches were selected and announced in December, leaving one coaching position on the official staff to be filled. Chandler was named to this position by USA Wrestling's Executive Committee. This selection has been forwarded for final approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee. Chandler has considerable experience as an Olympic Coach in Greco-Roman wrestling. Chandler served as the head coach of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team in Sydney, Australia. The United States won three medals and placed third in the medal count and the unofficial standings. The U.S. medalists were Rulon Gardner (gold), Matt Lindland (silver) and Garrett Lowney (bronze). Chandler was also the assistant coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, which featured silver medalist Dennis Koslowski and bronze medalist Rodney Smith. He served on the coaching staff at the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games. Chandler works as the state coach for Minnesota USA Wrestling, coaching athletes in the state on all age levels. He also coaches the internationally respected Minnesota Storm club. A complete biography on Chandler follows. "This is a great team," said Chandler. "It's always exciting to prepare for the Olympic Games. These guys are so focused; it's their entire lives. You want to help them achieve their dreams. It is an exciting thing to be there in that environment. I look forward to it. For all the coaching things you can do, the Olympic Games is the ultimate." Biography of Olympic Coach Dan Chandler of Minneapolis, Minn. Chandler has been named Greco-Roman Coach of the Year by USA Wrestling five times, the most of any Greco-Roman coach (1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000). He served as the head coach of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team in Sydney, Australia. The United States had perhaps its best Olympic Greco-Roman performance, winning three medals and placing third in the medal count and the unofficial standings. The U.S. medalists were Rulon Gardner (gold), Matt Lindland (silver) and Garrett Lowney (bronze). Chandler also served as the assistant coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, which featured silver medalist Dennis Koslowski and bronze medalist Rodney Smith. He served on the coaching staff at the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games. Chandler was the head coach of the 1995, 1997 and 1999 U.S. Greco-Roman World teams. The 1995 team placed in a tie for fourth in the team standings in Prague, Czech Republic. The team featured two medalists, champion Dennis Hall and runner-up Matt Ghaffari. The 1997 U.S. World team placed 12th in the World Championships. The 1999 U.S. World team placed 14th in the final standings, with three wrestlers placing in the top 10 of their weight division. Chandler served as head coach of the 1994 Pan American Championships team, which won the team title. He also coached the 1990 and 1993 World Cup teams. Chandler works as the state coach for Minnesota USA Wrestling, coaching athletes in the state on all age levels. He also coaches the Minnesota Storm club, which features many of the best Greco-Roman athletes in the nation. The Minnesota Storm is among the most successful club teams on the national level, earning team honors on the Senior and age-group levels. 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Garrett Lowney, who is also on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, is a member of the Minnesota Storm club. He also coached on the college level as a head coach at St. Thomas Univ. and as an assistant coach at the Univ. of Minnesota. As an athlete, he was a member of three U.S. Olympic teams (1976, 1980, 1984). Chandler competed in six World Championships, placing as high as fifth in the 1979 World Championships. He won medals in three Pan American Games, including gold medals in 1975 and 1979. Chandler competed for the Univ. of Minnesota.