Get Jacked with Bono

It’s not quite 6 a.m. and the match against No. 18 Central Michigan won’t begin for another 14 hours. But sitting around and killing time isn’t part of South Dakota State University head wrestling coach Chris Bono’s personality.

Bono, now in his sixth year at State, has been awake for nearly 45 minutes, drinking coffee and waiting to take a spin class at Spin Fitness. The class will be something different for Bono and assistant coaches Jon Reader and Cody Caldwell. Since the nationally ranked Jackrabbits have a match tonight, there wasn’t an early morning practice, but the coaches still felt the need to break a sweat.

“One of the best things about us is we do a lot of things together. Those guys are the backbone of the program,” Bono said of his coaching staff. “We typically have 5:45 morning workouts three times a week; match day is just different as our work with the kids is done. We’ll get to see those results tonight.”

Next up is a light walkthrough practice at 9 a.m. The practice primarily serves as a check-in for the wrestlers, who discuss breakfast options, upcoming matches and finals.

Following breakfast at Cottonwood Bistro,
Caldwell and Reader join Bono on a trip to Hy-Vee to buy groceries to feed the team after the 7 p.m. weigh-ins.

“We don’t need all three of us to get groceries, but we make it fun, that’s why we’re in this coaching thing,” Bono said.

After another errand, it’s time for the three to visit their offices for the first time. Most of the afternoon is spent watching film of the potential Central Michigan lineup.

Bono admits he watches a lot of film, not only on the opposition but also his team, looking for any edge to the upcoming dual.

“We can be national champions, there’s no doubt about it. I wouldn’t be in it if I didn’t think we could do it. Are the odds stacked against us? One thousand percent yes in terms of facilities, recruiting, scholarships, budget but that’s what makes me the coach I am,” he said. “I’ve always had that ‘Rocky’ mentality. I’ve always loved being the underdog.”

That intensity and passion comes from his own days competing on the mat, a career that saw him win the 1996 NCAA title at 150 pounds among his 130 victories at Iowa State. After winning the 1997 Big 12 Conference title and being named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Big 12 Championship, Bono joined the Iowa State coaching staff.

“When I started coaching, it was really all about me. My head coach (Bobby Douglas) told me to win gold medals for the program,” said Bono, who was a U.S. World Championships team member in 2001, 2002 and 2005 and won U.S. national titles in 2003 and 2005. “I was an assistant coach, but I really was a glorified training partner. I didn’t have many responsibilities other than train with the guys.

“It was first just about training but then I was able to see the inner workings of what a great head coach does,” said Bono, who was named the 2017 Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year. “I was lucky to work under a great head coach and see how a head coach can impact a kid’s life and then set some really crazy goals and spend 18 hours a day trying to chase them.”

Throughout his coaching career, Bono has had a string of success, including helping Reader on his way to winning the 2011 NCAA title at 174 pounds while at Iowa State.

“He kept sharpening my physical and mental skills, and I believe he was the reason why I won,” Reader said. “Now working alongside him, I see his passion and how much he wants to replicate that feeling for each of his athletes. His passion is the same if it’s a fourth-string guy or a first-string guy. He will fight tooth and nail for his athletes—that’s something I love about him. I learn from him every day. I truly believe he is one of the best coaches in the country because he works every day to make the people around him better.”

That work doesn’t stop when the match starts. Bono’s efforts during a match range from getting the mats down, helping arrange the mat-side seating to making sure the Jackrabbits are ready to go when it’s their turn. And then there are his actions during the match.

Bono’s matside activities against Central Michigan ranged from stomping a foot and yelling for stalling to giving pointers. After one short sprint down the mat, the official waves him back to the corner. A pin by Luke Zilverberg at 157 pounds brings a punch in celebration while David Kocer’s win at 174 pounds brings a jump. However, the best is yet to come.

The Jackrabbits take a 20-16 lead after Nate Rotert’s win at 197 pounds. Bono jumps when heavyweight Alex Macki scores on a takedown in the second period to tie the match. With the score tied 5-5, Macki records a takedown in the final seconds to pick up the win and send Bono leaping into Reader’s arms.

“I want to be that high-energy guy in the corner because I feel that when the kids look over to me in the third period, they see me and feel that energy. I wish I wasn’t like that. I’m exhausted after a match; I’m sore,” Bono said. “People have asked if I’m jumping around to get attention. It’s not like I say I’m going to go crazy in this match. I don’t remember what I do in a match. I don’t know what’s happening. My daughters have videotaped me, and I don’t really believe it when I see it.”

“That emotion pouring out of him is not just from that moment, it’s from months and months of watching someone master the techniques and finally watching him connect to those situations when they count the most,” Reader said. “We believe that when you’re outworking guys, it’s hard to get beat. It’s so rewarding to see someone reach one’s potential and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

-Matt Schmidt