Jordan Burroughs might be hanging up his wrestling shoes soon. But fans aren’t ready to let go. A recent image of the Olympic champion in coaching mode, paired with comments hinting at his next move, has sparked a fiery debate online. Some are mourning the dream of seeing Burroughs trade the mat for the Octagon, while others are already calling for Rutgers to lock him down with a coaching deal. As one of the most decorated wrestlers of this era, the question isn’t just if Burroughs will coach. It’s where and when.

The six-time world and Olympic gold medalist now seems poised to pivot into coaching, igniting speculation from coast to coast. He’s spent the last few years running his own youth training academy out east, balancing family life and senior-level training. But Burroughs recently dropped a series of telling statements that gave fans a glimpse into his post-competition mindset. Speaking on FloWrestling Radio Live, Burroughs admitted, “I’ve had some interest from some collegiate programs… Here’s where I’m at in my career. Do I want to transition?” Well, that was all it took to set social media ablaze.

His remarks only added fuel to the fire. Burroughs spoke candidly about how Oklahoma State’s hiring of David Taylor inspired him. “Spending time with David and John has kind of changed my perspective… Those are guys that I admire and respect,” Burroughs stated. He went on to reveal how conversations with Taylor helped him see coaching in a new light. “You’re thinking of all the hard things… It’s also a really cool experience,” Taylor told him, according to Burroughs. And that stuck. Despite juggling life as a father of five, the itch to remain in the competitive space is still there. “I just want to play. I like to play, bro,” said Burroughs.

But for many fans, this shift also meant a dream would go unfulfilled. There’s a loud section of the wrestling and MMA community that hoped Burroughs would test himself in the UFC. His grit, explosiveness, and world-class wrestling seemed tailor-made for the cage. But with Burroughs leaning toward a sideline rather than an octagon walk, those hopes may be dashed. Some fans expressed frustration, lamenting what could’ve been. Yet others immediately pivoted the conversation, echoing the sentiment that Burroughs should stay in Jersey and lead a college program to national glory.

The roadmap is already there. David Taylor showed what can happen when a wrestling great takes the reins. And Jordan Burroughs knows it won’t be easy. “There’s very little work-life balance,” he admitted. But if the offer’s right, he’s listening. He doesn’t need a big payday; he wants to win. And that’s what makes the idea so compelling. Whether it’s Rutgers or another program, one thing is clear. College wrestling may soon be welcoming a living legend to its coaching ranks. And online fans are already chiming in with their takes on the matter. 

Fans split over UFC dream and Rutgers hopes for Jordan Burroughs as he eyes coaching future

As soon as the news went viral, fans flocked to the comments section. Burroughs’ deep ties to the East Coast have fans hopeful for a homecoming. One noted, “Your Jersey roots are calling you at Rutgers!” The call is rooted in both geography and legacy. Having built his youth academy out east, coaching at Rutgers would mark a natural progression and bring local pride full circle.

The urgency among fans is real. One posted, “Rutgers should be calling him as we speak,” capturing the sentiment that the university must act swiftly. With Burroughs openly discussing collegiate interest and inspiration from Taylor’s path, the window to secure him might close quickly.

Not everyone is thrilled about Burroughs heading toward a whistle. A disappointed fan remarked, “We are never going to witness @alliseeisgold in the @ufc😩”, mourning a long-held dream. For years, fans envisioned his elite wrestling translating to MMA success, and this coaching pivot now feels like a final goodbye to that fantasy.

The impact of Burroughs’ appearance on FloWrestling Radio Live hit hard. One X user said, “Whole segment with @alliseeisgold from retirement talk, mentoring & Coaching, Dake part was all 🔥🔥🔥This FRL episode was great.” His transparency, especially about his talks with Taylor and mindset shift, provided rare insight and set off a frenzy of interpretation online.

Long-term thinkers already see a potential legacy arc. One wrestling enthusiast stated, “If Mark Manning retires in the next 5-7 years I hope JB is the first call to takeover at his Alma mater 🙌.” This frames Burroughs’ coaching transition as more than a whim—it’s a slow burn that could lead to Nebraska, adding another layer to his legendary career.

Competition for Jordan Burroughs’ future is heating up. One fan suggested, “Iowa should put their names atop his list,” highlighting that powerhouse programs are likely circling. With his accolades, vision, and now coaching interest, any top-tier team could see Burroughs as the next major cornerstone, igniting fan rivalries before he’s even picked up a clipboard. Thus, with Burroughs getting a mixed reaction, it now remains to be seen what happens next.