The University of Dubuque has named Fernando Villaescusa as the head women's wrestling coach, director of athletics Michael Feuling announced. Villaescusa becomes just the second women's wrestling coach in program history, taking over after the departure of Dennis Hall in the summer of 2026.

Villaescusa comes to Dubuque after six seasons on the Iowa State wrestling staff, most recently as development coordinator. He was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Cyclones program under former head coach Kevin Dresser, a run that included a 2024 Big 12 championship and a fourth-place NCAA finish -- the program's best since 2010. Villaescusa played a key role in recruiting and development within both the ISU wrestling program and the Cyclone Regional Training Center.

Before Iowa State, Villaescusa spent more than 20 years as a member of the coaching staff at Team Arizona, the USA National Wrestling team, including four years as wrestling director for women's wrestling. He also coached at the high school level at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Ariz., one of the top programs in the country.

Villaescusa and his wife Donna have three children. His son Nando graduated from Iowa State and was a three-year member of the Cyclones wrestling team. His daughter Areana is one of the top female wrestlers in the United States, winning the 2026 Senior Women's Freestyle Championship at 55 kilograms at the Senior World Team Trials. She placed fifth at the 2024 World Championships, is currently ranked No. 2 in Team USA at 55 kilograms and serves as a sergeant in the U.S. Army WCAP stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. His daughter Kiara served as a manager for the Iowa State wrestling team and is currently the men's and women's soccer coach at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Neb.