Franc Freeman was a four-year letterman in wrestling for Davenport High School.

After finishing second at 120 pounds to help his team win the team title at the Iowa state wrestling tournament in 1956, Freeman joined the United States Navy.

After competing two years for the Navy wrestling squad, including a fourth-place finish at the AAU Nationals, Freeman decided to wrestle at Iowa State Teacher's College. He was a two-time All-American, finishing fourth as a junior in 1961 and second as a senior in 1962.

Freeman's biggest accomplishments in wrestling, however, was as a coach.

He began his career at Billings West High School in Billings, Montana. After two years, he returned to Iowa and Bettendorf High School, where he would be the head coach for 27 years.

Freeman had a 250-72-7 career dual meet record while coaching eight state champions, 68 state place-winners and 131 state qualifiers. His teams won 16 conference and 10 district team titles.

His coaching style was a throwback to the 1950s and 1960s teams that he wrestled on, emphasizing physical and mental toughness which were usually enough to be successful on the mat.

Freeman expected the same toughness from his wrestlers, but he also taught his teams that winning not a byproduct of just toughness. He taught that winning also requires a high level of technique, strength from weight training, and most importantly, the desire to do what it takes.