Tyler Caldwell (Photo/Larry Slater)Caldwell: I went to Oklahoma to wrestle with Sammie Henson. And when the job came up I think everyone there thought he'd be next in line for the position. We just kinda thought that was the direction the administration was going.
So you've continued to train with Sammie?
Caldwell: I trained in Oklahoma with Sammie because he still lived down there, but I also spent time at the Olympic Training Center. I was going back and forth, but when I was in Oklahoma I'd go down and train with him at Patrick Burris' USA Stars gym in Moore, Okla.
How was your Olympic redshirt year?
Caldwell: It went really well. I made the Olympic Trials and was able to train full time. I got to travel to Cuba. I also wrestled a bunch of foreigners and also competed at the Schultz and Sunkist. I got a lot better throughout the year.
When it came time to make a decision, what schools were you looking at?
Caldwell: It came down to taking five trips: Nebraska, Iowa State, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, and Iowa. After the Trials it came down to Oklahoma State and Iowa, who I also really liked. So it came down to those schools for the last two weeks. It was back and forth in my mind, but after I did my trips and they were doing home visits I made my mind.
Tyler Caldwell battles Trent Paulson at the Olympic Team Trials Qualifier (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Caldwell: Huge. I know he's got offers, but he's the head Sunkist coach now, and could open his own gym here if he wanted. I know that he's got lots of coaching opportunities, but if he stays then we can work together and I can get his feedback which is huge. Also I'm only an hour and a half from my hometown (Wichita) ... I guess that depends on how fast I drive.
Since coaching is obviously a big deal for you, how do you like the staff at Okie State?
Caldwell: Can't get much better than John Smith. The room is filled with great coaches and guys like Kenny Monday and Bryce Hasseman. I also get to workout with Chris Perry every day.
Wait a second. Kenny Monday?!
Caldwell: Ha. Yeah! I'm scared to wrestle the guy.
So what about the Okie State coaching staff sold you?
Caldwell: I like their style and think that it can help me the most. Their attacks and the offense they have, I think that I'm going to add that to my style of wrestling, and that'll take me to where I need to be at the end of next season.
Tyler Caldwell fell to Andrew Howe at the 2012 Olympic Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Caldwell: Yeah, but I don't plan to take it, unless I get hurt or something. My plan is to do my two years right away.
John Smith's take on your transfer debacle?
Caldwell: Really nice about everything, but it was weird because I didn't have a release until right before the Trials. Oklahoma State was in the back of my mind, but it didn't come together until the end when I got the release to the Big 12, because my original release was only to non-conference schools.
How'd you get that changed?
Caldwell: Kinda had to do a lot of work for the original release, but then Coach Cody really helped me get my full release. He said he never wanted to hold anyone there who didn't want to be there. He knew I was there to wrestle for Sammie.
Oklahoma head coach Mark Cody is pretty well respected as a coach. Why not just stay at Oklahoma after the cooling-off period?
Caldwell: It was the athletic department that made me uneasy with the situation. The way they handled it with Sammie just wasn't right in my opinion. Still, it's a job. This is how it happened. I put all that aside a long time ago. I've only heard great things about [Cody], and the guys still down there have only said good things. He helped me with the release and has always treated me with respect.
Tyler Caldwell defeated Andrew Howe in the NCAA semifinals (Photo/John Sachs-Tech-Fall.com)Caldwell: I am. A lot of guys get a bad rap for transferring from schools. I know you "sign with the university" but in our sport it's different, you kinda do sign with the coach. There are all kinds of guys transferring this year, you know? I hope that people understand that, and respect that, which I think most wrestling fans do.
Are you wresting 165 pounds?
Caldwell: Yes.
What do you think about the possibility of sharing the weight class with NCAA champions Kyle Dake, David Taylor, and Andrew Howe?
Caldwell: I'm excited. I love competition. I'm not afraid of competition and I'm not going away from anyone. Last time I wrestled I started the season at 174 pounds, then came down to 165 pounds to wrestle Burroughs and Howe.
So you like your chances?
Caldwell: I'm excited for the season to start and I'm ready to get to work. I'm already training. I got a lot to prove. Guys at my weight all have national titles. I think I'm the guy to look out for. I'm the guy that's hungry. I haven't won my title yet.
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