HIGH SCHOOL

Legendary Dowling, Simpson wrestling coach Bob Darrah

Des Moines Register
From 1980: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah offers some help to the referee on what Darrah thought should be a near-fall.
From 1980: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah offers some help to the referee on what Darrah thought should be a near-fall.
Register File Photo
From 1989: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah with a plaque honoring him as the state's winningest high school wrestling coach.
From 1989: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah with a plaque honoring him as the state's winningest high school wrestling coach.
Register File Photo
From 1972: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah.
From 1972: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah.
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From 1976: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah.
From 1976: Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah.
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From 1989: After 27 years coaching high school wrestling, including 20 at Dowling, Bob Darrah took the head wrestling job at Simpson College in March 1989.
From 1989: After 27 years coaching high school wrestling, including 20 at Dowling, Bob Darrah took the head wrestling job at Simpson College in March 1989.
Register File Photo
From 1989: Dowling head coach Bob Darrah hugs heavyweight Brad Henry in celebration of their dual victory over Lincoln, which was Darrah's 328th — a new state record. At the time, Darrah, 60, said he didn't plan to slow down. "I can go to 70," he said. The previous record holder was Waterloo West coach Bob Siddens, who retired from coaching in 1977 with a record of 327-26-3 in 26 years.
From 1989: Dowling head coach Bob Darrah hugs heavyweight Brad Henry in celebration of their dual victory over Lincoln, which was Darrah's 328th — a new state record. At the time, Darrah, 60, said he didn't plan to slow down. "I can go to 70," he said. The previous record holder was Waterloo West coach Bob Siddens, who retired from coaching in 1977 with a record of 327-26-3 in 26 years.
Register File Photo
1986: Dowling Catholic wrestling coach Bob Darrah, left, and assistant Ron Gray are animated during a match during the state wrestling tournament.
1986: Dowling Catholic wrestling coach Bob Darrah, left, and assistant Ron Gray are animated during a match during the state wrestling tournament.
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Dowling President Jerry Deegan, right, honors former Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah in this 2015 Register file photo, before a Dowling vs. Urbandale wrestling match at Dowling Catholic High School.
Dowling President Jerry Deegan, right, honors former Dowling wrestling coach Bob Darrah in this 2015 Register file photo, before a Dowling vs. Urbandale wrestling match at Dowling Catholic High School.
Register File Photo
Bob Darrah gets in his stance for the cameras.
Bob Darrah gets in his stance for the cameras.
Conrad Schmidt/For The Register
Dowling President D. Jerry Deegan shares the stage with Coach Bob Darrah. Darrah, Iowa's winningest wrestling coach, was honored before the Dowling vs. Urbandale wrestling match at Dowling Catholic High School on Jan. 22. The school's wrestling room was dedicated in his honor.
Dowling President D. Jerry Deegan shares the stage with Coach Bob Darrah. Darrah, Iowa's winningest wrestling coach, was honored before the Dowling vs. Urbandale wrestling match at Dowling Catholic High School on Jan. 22. The school's wrestling room was dedicated in his honor.
Conrad Schmidt/For The Register
Legendary wrestling coach Bob Darrah tells a story while holding a copy of the book "Bobby D: Coach Darrah" by Dan McCool during a book signing at Windsor Manner in Indianola on Feb. 4, 2018.
Legendary wrestling coach Bob Darrah tells a story while holding a copy of the book "Bobby D: Coach Darrah" by Dan McCool during a book signing at Windsor Manner in Indianola on Feb. 4, 2018.
Michael Rolands/Indianola Record-Herald
From 2002: Former Dowling coach Bob Darrah, right, gets a laugh out of current Maroons coach Ron Gray at practice. Darrah, who guided Dowling to 269 victories, coached Gray at Dowling. RAN COLOR
From 2002: Former Dowling coach Bob Darrah, right, gets a laugh out of current Maroons coach Ron Gray at practice. Darrah, who guided Dowling to 269 victories, coached Gray at Dowling. RAN COLOR
Register File Photo
From 2015: Legendary wrestling Bob Darrah was honored before the Dowling vs. Urbandale wrestling match held at Dowling Catholic High School. The wrestling room was dedicated in his honor. Darrah gives the Dowling wrestlers a few tips before the match.
From 2015: Legendary wrestling Bob Darrah was honored before the Dowling vs. Urbandale wrestling match held at Dowling Catholic High School. The wrestling room was dedicated in his honor. Darrah gives the Dowling wrestlers a few tips before the match.
Register File Photo