Thomas Gilman returning to the Penn State Nittany Lion Wrestling Club after one year with David Taylor at Oklahoma State
Thomas Gilman is returning to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club one year after leaving it and State College to be an assistant on David Taylor’s Oklahoma State staff. He announced the news Thursday on an episode of the BaschAMania podcast. The two-time All-American at Iowa will not be on the Penn State coaching staff, as Cael Sanderson’s bench is full. But, the 2021 57-kilogram World champ and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist in the same weight class will have plenty of interaction with the Nittany Lions, both those on the college team and those training in the NLWC. And, the 30-year-old did not close the door on potentially returning to competition, either.
“I’ve had those conversations with Coach Cody [Sanderson] and Coach Cael [Sanderson], and they’re open and supportive of anything,” Gilman told Justin Basch. “If I want to keep just kind of doing the coaching thing and help out that way, then great. If I want to jump back on the mat and compete, that’s awesome, too. Just whatever. They’re supportive and grateful to have me back at whatever capacity. And you know, that door opened back up, and wasn’t sure if it was ever going to. You leave Penn State, it’s hard to go back, I’d imagine, but they opened that door back up and, you know, not going to let them down again.”
“I’ll be on the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, kind of doing the same thing I’ve been doing for years, you know, but probably more, little more responsibility, a little more work, but good. I need to stay busy.”
You can watch the full episode, in which Gilman details why he left the Cowboys and more, at this link and also below.
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More Penn State wrestling offseason updates
The NCAA offseason started about a month ago. And, it’s been anything but quiet. Penn State has lost wrestlers to the portal (and, to Oklahoma State in particular; Zack Ryder, Alex Facundo, and Gary Steen are all now Cowboys) and also gained former Ohio State All-American Rocco Welsh out of it. He will compete at 184 pounds for the Lions.
Sanderson’s side has also made recruiting splashes. They added reigning 61-kilogram World champ Masanosuke Ono to an already loaded Class of 2025. After that, the team flipped top Class of 2026 recruit Jayden James from Virginia Tech. And, this weekend, the freestyle season kicks off as Luke Lilledahl, Levi Haines, and Connor Mirasola will wrestle for Team USA at the U23 Pan-American games on Sunday.
Get caught up on the latest Penn State wrestling offseason news below:
What is Penn State wrestling getting in 2026 commit Jayden James? His coach offers a scouting report
PSU offseason transfer tracker after Zack Ryder picks Oklahoma State
Penn State wrestling has a National Duals Invitational spot if it wants it; will it accept?
