Two-time NCAA champion and 2020 Olympic gold medalist David Taylor has been announced as the new head coach for the Oklahoma State wrestling team, succeeding John Smith, after failing to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and deciding against a potential future in MMA.
David Taylor’s wrestling career is over. He didn’t leave his shoes on the mat after failing to secure a second Olympic gold, but he’s hung ’em up nonetheless.
Friday was a big day for Taylor. The two-time NCAA champ and 2020 Olympic gold medalist was announced as the new head coach for the Oklahoma State wrestling team. He’s stepping into some big shoes, replacing the legendary John Smith.
Smith, a two-time Olympic gold medalist himself, had been at the helm of Oklahoma State for 33 years before retiring in April. Now, it’s Taylor’s turn.
His acceptance of the job came just weeks after a disappointing run at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He suffered back-to-back losses to fellow Penn State wrestler Aaron Brooks. There had been whispers about a potential MMA future for Taylor, but he’s chosen the coaching route instead.
“I knew in 2024 this was going to be it for me as a competitor,” Taylor admitted during his press conference. He confessed that after 2021, things got tough. Every decision he made was aimed at becoming an Olympic champion. Every single one.
Post-Olympics, he realized the next one was just three years away. He could win a second gold, but his inner fire was starting to fade. It showed in his performance at the Olympic trials. But he’s okay with it. He’s done everything he wanted in his career. And then some.
At 33, Taylor’s wrestling future was likely limited. After failing to make the 2024 team, his options were dwindling.
Interestingly, Taylor had been dabbling in MMA. He’d been learning the ropes with head coach Marc Montoya at Factory X gym in Colorado.
Despite the allure of the octagon, Taylor couldn’t resist the opportunity to lead a top-tier program like Oklahoma State. Smith had set a high bar, with five team championships and 33 individual NCAA Division I National Champions under his belt.
“I just realized as my career came to an end, I wanted to pour into the next generation of kids,” Taylor shared. He believes coaching is the best way he can do this.
His competitive journey may be over, but his coaching journey is just beginning.