DUBUQUE, Iowa – University of Dubuque's director of athletics, Michael Feuling, has announced the hiring of Fernando Villaescusa (fur-NON-doh VEE-uh-SKOO-suh) as the next head women's wrestling coach. Villaescusa joins the Spartans after spending the last six years as a member of the Iowa State University Cyclones wrestling staff, most recently as the development coordinator.
 
"Fernando Villaescusa is exactly the type of leader we were looking for to launch the next chapter of women's wrestling at the University of Dubuque," commented Director of Athletics Michael Feuling. "His passion for the sport, commitment to student-athlete development, and vision for building a championship-caliber program stood out throughout the search. We are excited about where he can take this program and the impact he will have on our student-athletes and the University of Dubuque."
 
Fernando Villaescusa was named the new head women's wrestling coach in September 2026. He is just the second women's coach in Spartans school history after the departure of Dennis Hall in the summer of 2026. Villaescusa spent six seasons with the Iowa State wrestling program and most recently was the Development Coordinator for the Cyclones. He was a member of the coaching staff at team Arizona – USA National Wrestling team for over 20 years - including four years as the Wrestling Director for Women's Wrestling.
 
Villaescusa was instrumental in rebuilding of the Iowa State University Cyclone wrestling program under former head coach Kevin Dresser. Their efforts saw ISU climb on the national stage, highlighted by a 2024 Big 12 title and fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, ISU's best since 2010. Villaescusa played a vital role in recruiting and development, both within ISU wrestling and the Cyclone Regional Training Center. 
 
Villaescusa coached at the high school level. Well-versed in freestyle wrestling, he spent most of his coaching time at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Ariz., which is one of the top high school programs in the U.S.
 
"I want to thank the University of Dubuque leadership, AD Michael Feuling, and the search committee," added Villaescusa. "This is truly an honor for me.  University of Dubuque is a great destination for student-athletes, and I plan on executing my masterpiece here with the UD Women's Wrestling Team. I am excited for the women on the team, and for those who come in the future.  Championships follow me everywhere I go! I want to thank my mentors Kevin Dresser, Scott Beckwith, Bobby Douglas, Don Klostreick, Anthony Leon, Brad Beach, Fernando Matiella, Doug Brewington, Mike Bravo, Frances Villaescusa, and Nate Carr. I also want to thank all of my past wrestlers and teams for molding me into the coach I am today. I am blessed to have a family that loves me and supports me in every step I take. To my wife Donna, daughters Areana and Kiara, son Nando, and son in law Josh, I love you all very much and thank you all for showing me how to be elite."
 
Villaescusa and his wife, Donna, have three children: Areana, Kiara and Nando. Their youngest, Nando, graduated from Iowa State University and was a three-year member of the Cyclones wrestling team and had a high school career record of 154-16. Their daughter, Areana, is one of the top female wrestlers in the United States and won the 2026 Senior Women's Freestyle Championship (55kg) at the Senior World Team Trials. She placed fifth at the 2024 World Championships and is currently ranked #2 in Team USA at 55kg. She is an US Army WCAP and a SGT stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. Their other daughter, Kiara, was 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.
 
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For further information, please contact Paul Misner, director of sports information, at 563.589.3168 or pmisner@dbq.edu.