STILLWATER — Oklahoma State wrestling coach David Taylor doesn’t need a complex sales pitch when speaking to recruits. His message is simple: come beat the best.
“You can have good college partners anywhere,” Taylor said. “You can have good RTC (Regional Training Center) partners, but how many RTC guys are competing at the world championship level? … Our staff has done that and can still do that.”
Taylor, along with assistant coach Thomas Gilman, boasts an impressive résumé, with nine combined World Championship or Olympic medals since 2017, including four gold medals since 2021.
To emphasize his point, Taylor recently came out of retirement to compete in the United States Senior World Team Trials, where he secured first place, earning his sixth spot on Team USA in the last seven years.
“What’s most valuable about our staff is the success we’ve had,” Taylor explained. “We can wrestle you at a high level, but it’s going to take a lot, and it’s going to take them a while before they can beat us. And when that day comes, they’re ready.”
David Taylor, at 33 years old, believes the mix of experience and youth gives Oklahoma State a major edge for the future.
“Our competitors’ coaches are 45-50 years old,” Taylor said. “You can still wrestle at a high level at that age, but it’s a different intensity. We’re still able to compete at the highest level right now, and that’s crucial. The kids who are part of this program over the next 6-10 years are going to get the best version of us.”
In addition to training with Oklahoma State’s coaching staff, the Cowboys’ RTC program continues to attract elite wrestlers. Taylor has brought in talents like two-time Penn State national champion Roman Bravo-Young, who made his Olympic debut at the 2024 Olympics representing Mexico.
“On the college team, they don’t know what it’s like to be a national champion,” David Taylor said. “They haven’t experienced it yet. They don’t know what it’s like to win a team title or be a World or Olympic champion.
“But when you have people in the room who have done it, it becomes tangible. You can ask, ‘What was it like preparing for the national finals? What was it like getting ready for an Olympic gold medal match?’ You get real answers, and they can see it, feel it, and wrestle with it. They can make adjustments in real-time.”
When asked about leading a program for the first time, Taylor was confident.
“I was put on this earth to do this.”
Taylor emphasized “national champions” as Oklahoma State’s goal, though he acknowledged that he doesn’t know how long it will take to win their first team title since 2006. However, he expressed confidence in guiding the team to that success.
“You want to be the best in the country and the world?” Taylor said. “This is the place you need to come to.”