Bobby Douglas Wife Jackie Highlighted in Tributes After Wrestling Legend’s Death at 83
Feb. 23, 2026 — Ames, Iowa Two-time Olympian and Hall of Fame wrestling coach Bobby Douglas died Monday at age 83 from natural causes, leaving behind his devoted Bobby Douglas wife, Jackie Douglas, and their son, Bobby Jr.
Douglas, who resided in Ames with his Bobby Douglas wife Jackie, was remembered across wrestling communities for his pioneering achievements. Multiple obituaries emphasized his family life alongside his storied career.
He was a dedicated husband to his wife, Jackie. The couple had one son, Bobby Jr. No plans for a memorial service will be made available. The family is appreciative of the love and support for Bobby and asks for privacy during this time.
Pioneering Athletic Career
As an athlete, Douglas became the first Black American to compete in the Olympics, wrestling at the 1964 Tokyo Games (fourth place in featherweight freestyle) and captaining the 1968 Mexico City team. He earned a silver medal at the 1966 World Championships and bronze in 1970, competing on six U.S. World Teams in Greco-Roman and freestyle.
A two-time Ohio high school state champion, he won the 1962 NAIA title and was NCAA runner-up in 1963 at West Liberty State before claiming the Big Eight title at Oklahoma State in 1965. (The Gazette)
Coaching Legacy
Douglas coached at UC Santa Barbara, then Arizona State University (1975-1992), where he secured the program’s lone NCAA team title in 1988, nine conference crowns, and coached two individual NCAA champions. At Iowa State University from 1993-2006, he mentored undefeated four-time NCAA champion Cael Sanderson (159-0 record), producing 10 NCAA champions, 52 All-Americans, and seven top-six team finishes.
He served as head coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team and assisted on multiple others, earning USA Wrestling Freestyle Coach of the Year in 1992 and 2004, and Man of the Year in 1992.
Family and Legacy
Biographies consistently note that Bobby Douglas wife Jackie and he shared one son, Bobby Jr., while living in Ames. The Bobby Douglas wife reference underscores the personal side of the trailblazer, who was the first Black head coach of a major NCAA Division I wrestling program.
Douglas and his wife, Jackie, had one son, Bobby Jr.
Douglas was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1987), Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame (2023), Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame, and others.
