Bio

A two-time Division I All-American and World Cup team member, Kurt Backes is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for Simpson in 2016-17.

Backes comes to Simpson from the University of Iowa, where he spent three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach. During his time on staff, the Hawkeyes crowned two NCAA champions, 15 All-Americans, four Big Ten champions, and posted a 49-7-1 dual record.

Before Iowa, Backes served as the volunteer assistant coach at Virginia Tech University during the 2009-10 season, and the assistant strength and conditioning wrestling coach at the University of Missouri in 2008-09.

During his collegiate career, Backes was a two-time All-American and Big 12 champion at 184 and 197 pounds for Iowa State (2003-07). He collected 109 wins while competing for the Cyclones, where he was a three-time co-captain (2005-07).

A 2008 men's freestyle Olympic Trials finalist and World Cup team member, Backes won the 2007 U.S. Men's Freestyle title while competing for the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club. He traveled to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as a workout partner and alternate competitor. Backes placed third at the U.S. Open in 2007 and fourth in 2008. He was a member of the 2003 Junior World team, placing fifth at the Junior World Championships. He also served on the USA Wrestling finance committee in 2008-09.

A native of Neshanic Station, N.J., Backes was a three-time national prep and New Jersey state champion for Blair Academy. He graduated from Iowa State in 2007 with a degree in business finance. He and his wife, Amanda, have a son, Jackson.