Gene Lybbert was a two-time All-American for State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa), placing third at 130 pounds in 1951 and winning the NCAA title at the same weight class in 1952. After college, Lybbert embarked on a remarkable coaching career at Blue Earth high school in Minnesota. During his four-year tenure, his teams won three consecutive state titles and were runners-up once. Retired and living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Lybbert is actively involved with the Northern Iowa wrestling program.