At Iowa, he succeeded Dan Gable as head coach, under whom he was a three-time NCAA champion.

His competitive college career occurred during the streak of which the University of Iowa wrestling team won seven consecutive national titles.

[4] Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby cited a decline in the program under Zalesky and the need for a change as the reasons.

Oregon State's prior head coach, Joe Wells, retired a few days later leaving the program on a high note ending with a 13–2–1 record for the 2005–06 season.

[5] On May 4, 2021 the University of Jamestown in North Dakota hired Zalesky as the new men's wrestling coach.