Wrestling legend Dan Gable of Iowa City, Iowa has been named as Interim Head Resident Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling, announced USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.    Gable will coach the men's freestyle athletes who participate in the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) resident athlete program in Colorado Springs, Colo. He will also coach the many U.S. freestyle wrestlers who come to Colorado Springs from across the nation to train on a short-term basis.    The Resident Freestyle Coach position became vacant when Lincoln McIlravy, who served in the post for over one year, resigned his position in order to return to competition as an athlete. McIlravy will stay on with the program as a resident athlete.    "This is a great day for USA Wrestling," said Executive Director Rich Bender. "We are extremely fortunate to have somebody with Dan's proven success agree to lead this very important program though this transition. I am excited for USA Wrestling, and especially our resident athletes, who will have the opportunity to work and train with a true legend."    Gable was a World and Olympic champion as an athlete, considered one of the greatest competitors in American history. As a coach, Gable was a record-setting college coach, and has served as head coach of three U.S. Olympic teams.    "I have never been very far away from our national organization over the last 30 years," said Gable. "This will enhance my ability to know the sport that much more. Much of my time now is away from the mat. I believe I will now understand how things take place and it will help me in my efforts to solve some of wrestling's issues."    "This is a crucial time, to make sure wrestling in general has the best opportunity for the future. I feel that I can also bring some positive attention to USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee. The bottom line is that USA Wrestling needs somebody right now, and I am a person that can meet those needs as well as anyone," he said.    Gable currently works as an Assistant to the Director for the University of Iowa Athletic Department, and will remain in that position. He will periodically come to Colorado Springs and live at the U.S. Olympic Training Center during the period that he serves as the Interim Head Resident Freestyle Coach. Gable will work directly with USA Wrestling's talented National Coaching staff, including National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson and Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett.    "Dan Gable is a wrestling icon and an Olympic legend, and we proudly welcome him to the U.S. Olympic Complex," said Lloyd Ward, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee. "His passion, intensity and energy for the sport of wrestling will have a significant impact on all of our Olympic wrestlers. I applaud Dan and USA Wrestling for making this commitment to help our athletes and prepare them for even greater success."    He served as head coach of the 1980, 1984 and 2000 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling teams. The 1980 team was unable to participate in the Moscow Olympics due to the U.S. boycott of the Games. The 1984 U.S. Olympic team dominated the Games, winning seven gold medals and two silver medals. The 2000 Olympic team, which Gable coached with co-head coaches John Smith and Greg Strobel, won four medals including one gold medalist.    Gable also served as the head coach of  six U.S. World teams (1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1994, 1999). He was the head coach of the 1986 U.S. Goodwill Games team. Gable will serve as the head coach of the 2003 U.S. World Cup team, his 11th assignment as a World Cup head coach.    He is considered the most successful college coach of all time, setting numerous career records as the head coach for the Univ. of Iowa. His Iowa teams won 15 NCAA team titles during his 21-year career, including an amazing steak of nine in a row from 1978-86. He retired from college coaching after winning the 1997 NCAA team title, with a record number of team points.     Gable was a 1972 Olympic gold medalist and 1971 World champion as an athlete, as well as a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa State Univ. Gable originally hails from Waterloo, Iowa.    During the time that Dan Gable is serving as Interim Head Resident Freestyle Coach, USA Wrestling will conduct a national search for a full-time coach to serve in the position. USA Wrestling hopes to name a new Resident Freestyle Coach this spring.