By Jeré Longman
New York Times
March 13, 2026

Bobby Douglas, who in 1964 was one of the first three African Americans to compete in wrestling at the Olympics and who later became the first Black head coach of a major college wrestling team and the only coach to guide an undefeated wrestler to four N.C.A.A. titles, died on Feb. 23 in Ames, Iowa. He was 83.

His death was announced by U.S.A. Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body. No cause or other details were provided.

Known as a brilliant technician, Douglas forged a groundbreaking career as he rose from a childhood marked by poverty and tragedy to become the first African American wrestling team captain (in 1968) and head coach (1992) at the Olympic level.

In 1973, he became the first Black head coach of a major-college wrestling team, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and he guided Arizona State to an N.C.A.A. title in 1988.

As a competitor, coach and author, he had a significant impact on diversifying a sport once dominated by white Americans and Eastern Europeans.

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