The Oklahoma State Coaching Search

On April 11th, John Smith sent the wrestling world into a frenzy as he announced he was stepping down from his position as head coach of Oklahoma State University after 33 years at the helm. Smith was synonymous with Cowboy wrestling, as he won a pair of NCAA titles in the familiar orange and black before (and during) his run at six straight World/Olympic titles. After he was done competing, Smith led OSU to five team titles and produced 33 individual national champions. 

While Smith’s retirement seemed sudden, it wasn’t totally unexpected. Most observers thought that Smith was aware he only had a few years remaining when he brought Coleman Scott in as the team’s Associate Head Coach prior to the 2023-24 season. Also a Cowboy alum, Scott left his post as the head coach at the University of North Carolina to head back to Stillwater. With a coach of Scott’s caliber and in a good situation like North Carolina - willing to step down and take a lower position on the Oklahoma State coaching staff - he appeared to be the head coach in-waiting. 

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