Oklahoma State has hired Olympic gold medalist David Taylor as its wrestling coach to replace John Smith, the school said Tuesday.
Taylor, 33, won gold in the 86-kilogram class at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 when he beat Hassan Yazdani of Iran. He sought another Olympic slot, but lost to Aaron Brooks at the Olympic Trials finals last month.
Taylor spent 11 years on Team USA and is a three-time world champion. He twice won the Hodge Trophy as the nation’s best collegiate wrestler while competing for Penn State.
He has massive shoes to fill. Smith retired after a 33-year run that produced five NCAA team championships, 33 individual NCAA champions and 23 conference titles. Under his direction, Oklahoma State produced 153 All-Americans and a 490-73-6 dual record.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Badosa shows signs of her old form in a win over Andreeva at the Italian Open
Invest In China: Multinationals embrace new opportunities created by China's green transition
Dozens of Palestinians killed, injured in Israeli attack in Gaza City
Jake Gyllenhaal's Apple TV+ miniseries Presumed Innocent tops high
Murder trial opens in death of Detroit
Tennessee Volkswagen employees vote to join United Auto Workers union
China's railways handle over 300 mln passenger trips in festival travel rush
Oklahoma State hires Olympic gold medalist David Taylor as wrestling coach
California is rolling out free preschool. That hasn't solved challenges around child care
US service member shot and killed by Florida police identified by the Air Force
Digital Silk Road development enables connectivity, prosperity