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
Woman identified as person killed in fall at daughter's Ohio State graduation
Boao Forum for Asia unveils agenda for 2024 conference
National Survey on Chinese Women's Social Status Kicks Off
Shen Yueyue Joins Deputies from Fujian Province in Group Deliberation
Judge delays murder trial for Indiana man charged in 2017 slayings of 2 teenage girls
Pic Story: Illiterate Granny Becomes Writer in Twilight Years
ACWF President Calls for Promoting China's COVID
Sparks move home game against Caitlin Clark and Indiana from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles
Highlights of Taekwondo at 4th Asian Para Games
Election 2024: Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden
Beijing launches competition to preserve Central Axis