Cowboy Wrestling is about to witness a historic shift as David Taylor steps onto the mat as the seventh wrestling coach, marking the end of John Smith’s legendary 33-year reign. Known for his dynamic leadership, Smith guided Oklahoma State to five national titles and became the program’s dual wins leader.

Now, it’s Taylor’s time to shine. A two-time NCAA champion hailing from the powerhouse wrestling program at Penn State, Taylor brings a fresh perspective and a winning attitude to the Cowboys. What’s truly remarkable about Taylor is his down-to-earth approach, a trait that endeared him to fans during his time at Penn State.

On May 7th, Taylor shared his excitement for the new chapter on Twitter, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that reads, “Forever grateful for my Penn State family, I am looking forward to this new chapter with @CowboyWrestling @OSUAthletics”. 

While David Taylor boasts an impressive track record on the wrestling mat, his coaching experience is still in its infancy. Yet, it’s worth noting that John Smith, the esteemed coach before him, was just 26 and relatively green when he assumed the reins at OSU back in 1991.

Since graduating, Taylor has remained rooted in State College, honing his skills at the Nittany Lions Wrestling Club and lending a hand to Cael Sanderson’s coaching staff.

Penn State legacy to Oklahoma State vision 

Despite a setback at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials, where he narrowly missed a second gold medal, Taylor remains deeply connected to Penn State wrestling. Before the Trials, Taylor expressed his love for Penn State wrestling, and in the past 15 years, Penn State has been the go-to place for aspiring national champions.

Taylor added, “And I’m just a small example of that. I think every athlete who comes to Penn State, their desire’s to be great. That’s why they come. Over the last 15 years, Penn State has shown that if you want to be a national champion, you come to Penn State”

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Now, the legend aims to infuse this winning culture into Oklahoma State. Despite leading in NCAA titles, the Cowboys haven’t claimed a team title since 2006. Taylor could kickstart recruiting efforts by tapping into his connections with current and future Nittany Lions, potentially enticing them to join him in Stillwater.

The decision to appoint Taylor may come as a surprise to many, especially considering that interim head coach and OSU alum Coleman Scott was widely expected to secure the position. Scott’s notable move from a head coaching role at North Carolina to serve as associate head coach under Smith fueled speculation that he was being groomed as Smith’s successor. However, neither Scott nor Smith publicly confirmed this plan, leaving room for speculation.