The USA’s collegiate wrestling circuit is undergoing a sort of flux that hasn’t been experienced in recent times. With the 2024 Olympics and a new NCAA season ahead, the stakes are high. On top of that, the transfer portal has been at the center of discussion over the past few weeks, and nothing has been more controversial than the 2020 Olympic gold medalist and former Penn State star David Taylor’s move to Oklahoma State as the new head coach of its wrestling program.

Since the move came to light, many of Taylor’s alma mater’s stars have come forward with their own view on his alleged “betrayal” of Penn State. However, for two-time Nick Lee, things have been much different from others, and now, he has had the time to reflect back.

Nick Lee’s truthful confession

After David Taylor assumed control of his new role, his sight fell upon Penn State once again to build his new squad. Responding to his call, Jimmy Kennedy, a former wrestler and member of Cael Sanderson’s coaching staff, headed over to OSU as well to lend Taylor his expertise. Kennedy’s move created a void among NLWC’s ranks and they didn’t have to look too far to fill the space either. Nick Lee, who Zain Retherford defeated at the US Olympic Team Trial’s 65kg weight class, was quickly announced to be succeeding Kennedy. But Lee himself was pretty late to the party, as he recalled in a recent YouTube podcast with Justin Basch.

In the interview, Lee revealed that he was unaware of Taylor’s decision in the beginning, since he was busy in Turkey when the news first came out. Accompanying Zain Retherford at the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier as his training partner, Lee was more invested in ensuring the USA’s spot at the upcoming Olympics rather than keeping up with the current affairs back home. “I’m embarrassed I barely pay attention to like what’s going on in the wrestling world like who’s taking what job and so I was just like I had no idea what was going on” confessed Lee with a chuckle.

Lee also admitted that David’s move to OSU impacted him more directly than many others since he got his new job at Penn State because of that reason. However, while Lee will be undertaking more responsibilities in the coming days, his job won’t be easy, especially with one of his strongest allies now siding with the enemy team.

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David Taylor making mountains move at OSU

Since the Magic Man ceded his allegiance to the Cowboys, Taylor has been scurrying to do everything in his power to make the OSU wrestling team brace its hopes for brighter days ahead. Along with Kennedy, David has also brought in Olympic medalist and World Championships gold medalist Thomas Gilman as the other assistant coach, ensuring that his new camp has sufficient expertise to fall back on. The Cowboys’ last NCAA season didn’t go too well, but the addition of several NLWC stars might turn the tide in their favor soon.

On top of revamping the OSU staff scenario, Taylor is also eyeing to rope in millions in investment to overhaul the program’s training facilities. Furthermore, earlier this year, Nick Lee mentioned that things have been “intense” due to the focus on the upcoming Olympics.

Now that Nick prepares to face off against NLWC’s celebrity wrestler David, only time will tell which of these stars manage to trounce the other in the coming months.