David Taylor talks Penn State past, Oklahoma State plan, and more: Takeaways from his intro news conference

You might be able to take David Taylor out of the place home to Penn State. But, you cannot take the lessons learned from his time in State College out of the 33-year-old new head coach of Oklahoma State wrestling. That was the main takeaway from Friday’s introductory news conference in Stillwater. Taylor is going to put his own touches on the Cowboys as he takes over for the legendary John Smith, of course. But, as he spoke during both his opening statement and question and answer session, he sounded very much like some of the men he learned from: Nittany Lions head coach Cael Sanderson, head assistant coach Casey Cunningham, and associate head coach Cody Sanderson.

“In my decision to go to Penn State, I felt it was the best thing for me [coming out of high school, and I developed so many deep relationships there,” Taylor said. “It set the foundation for who I am as a man, a father and a wrestler. I am forever grateful for everyone who is part of my life there. It was a tough decison to leave, but this is the best decision for me and my family moving forward. Oklahoma State is a place where every single recruit wants to go to school, and now, we’re at the top of the list.”

Is Taylor aiming to take Penn State wrestling’s style to Oklahoma State?

Taylor talked about scoring points at will, having fun on the mat, and striving to be one’s best self. He mentioned the great things that can come from being uncomfortable, and talked about the importance building an Olympic Regional Training Center (RTC) that his college athletes can graduate into. All of those are lines familiar to Penn State fans course. Sanderson and co., preached all of them over the last decade of dominance. Asked if he’d be bringing the Penn State “secret sauce” with him to Oklahoma State, Taylor said he and his staff would bring a mixture of styles to the Cowboys.

“The coaching staff at Penn State, they are a much deeper connection than just my coaches,” Taylor said. “They were my family, [and] they instilled so many things into me. They helped me understand a bigger picture of how to live your life to the best of your ability, and as an athlete how to maximize your opportunities.

“It’s a blend of a lot of things. Each coach was different. It’s tough. This was one of the toughest couple days of my life. I cried a lot. But being uncomfortable is something that creates really good things. I think we’re going to create our own little magic down here.”

End of competitive career started process that led Taylor to Oklahoma State

It is no great surprise, but Taylor confirmed his competitive days are over. He will go down as one of the greatest American wrestlers of all-time at both the collegiate and International levels. A life goal of winning an Olympic gold medal was fulfilled at the 2020 Toyko games. Taylor said his inner fire dwindled some after that. He trained for a chance at defending his medal in at the 2024 summer games in Paris, of course. But, his absence at many Senior level events along the way gave off the hint that he was not pursuing that possibility as hard as he had in the past. Taylor admitted as much Friday, meaning his final match was at April’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials, when Aaron Brooks beat him in the best-of-three 86-kilogram final to earn a spot on the Olympic team.

More: How to watch Penn State product Zain Retherford at the World Olympic Games qualifier

Taylor said he was at a crossroads regarding what was next. Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said his search for Smith’s replacement paused while the wrestling world was focused on the Trials. The wait was worth it. After Taylor lost, Smith called him. It set in motion a frenetic hiring process that culminated in mere days with the Penn State legend trading in blue and white for orange and black.

“I was in the barn [at his State College area home], in the back, and I got a call, and I’m like, missed call from Oklahoma? It’s the athletic director [Weiberg]. I need to call him back. And Oklahoma State is one of those things where, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, life goes on pause. And, you’re going to think. That’s what changed. It’s a place I’m excited to be at. I was at the first real crossroads of my life in a long time. This is a time to take a break and see what’s next. I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Odds and ends from Penn State legend David Taylor’s introductory news conference at Oklahoma State

–Taylor is bringing his brother-in-law, former Penn State assistant coach Jimmy Kennedy, with him to Stillwater. He is the Cowboys’ new associate head coach. Nittany Lion Wrestling Club member Thomas Gilman is also leaving State College to be an assistant on Taylor’s staff. He said remaining staff plans, including possible retention of Smith’s old staff, is still being worked out.

–Gilman is so far the only NLWC member to leave for Oklahoma State, and Kennedy the only staff member. Friday’s news conference did not make clear if anyone else at or associated with Penn State would be following Taylor west.

–Taylor, on moving into the next phase of his wrestling life: “I loved coaching and realized as my career came to an end, I wanted to pour into the next generation of kids. And, I feel this is the best way to do that. Hopefully we can leave wrestling a better place when my journey is done. My journey as a competitor is over but my journey as a coach is just getting started.”