David Taylor, stepping into the role of head coach at Oklahoma State, finds himself with a golden opportunity—not just to guide his team to greatness, but to do something even his legendary mentor, Cael Sanderson, couldn’t. After over a decade training under Sanderson, Taylor now stands across from him as a rival coach, ready to make his own mark in the world of collegiate wrestling. And, in a twist that has the wrestling world buzzing, Taylor might have an edge over his mentor as Oklahoma State looks primed to dominate.

This season could be Taylor’s chance to bring Oklahoma State a national title in his very first year at the helm—an achievement Sanderson couldn’t claim when he took over Penn State in 2009. While Sanderson eventually built a dynasty, his first season wasn’t a dream start, with Penn State finishing ninth at the 2010 NCAA Championships. None of his wrestlers claimed top spots that year and Sanderson’s climb to the top took time.

Now, Taylor is looking to rewrite that script. Unlike Sanderson’s rocky beginning, Taylor already has a roster packed with talent that could put Oklahoma State on top right out of the gate. Leading the charge for Taylor is Wyatt Hendrickson, a wrestler with serious credentials. Ranked second nationally, Hendrickson transferred from the Air Force Academy, where he made history as the first four-time Big 12 placer and a two-time NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler. He’s a force to be reckoned with and could be the key to Oklahoma State’s success.

But Hendrickson isn’t the only weapon in Taylor’s arsenal. Joining him are Dean Hamiti and Dustin Plott—two other standouts with top-three rankings in their respective weight classes. Hamiti, a transfer from Wisconsin, is ranked second at 174 pounds and already boasts multiple All-American honors and Big Ten titles. Meanwhile, Plott, the homegrown talent, is ranked third nationally at 184 pounds. With back-to-back Big 12 titles and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships, Plott is the foundation of Oklahoma State’s title hopes.

This trio of Hendrickson’s dominance, Hamiti’s relentless aggression, and Plott’s consistency creates a deadly combination—one that could easily disrupt traditional powerhouses like Penn State and Iowa. As Taylor steps out from Sanderson’s shadow and into the spotlight at Oklahoma State, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

David Taylor’s chance to inspire unlike ever before!

David Taylor is not just the head coach at OSU; he is also making a personal comeback. He is getting ready to step onto the mat yet again after his unfortunate Olympic trials. Taylor is getting ready for the World Championships in October. Taylor, representing Team USA, will compete alongside legends, including Jordan Burroughs. And this time, it is not just about winning for Taylor. He has a legacy to live up to, if not for him but for the students who are training under him. And how is Taylor doing it?

Taylor may no longer wear blue, but he still has it in his veins. On the journey to inspire, he is going back to the lessons his mentor, Cael Sanderson, left behind. “I want to pass on that similar mentality,” Taylor said. While Taylor may look up to Sanderson, however, he does it with a pinch of salt! “I think, from a competitor’s standpoint, obviously, we’re both fiercely competitive,” said Taylor, comparing the coaching styles of him and his mentor.

However, Taylor went on to add, “I think the way that we think is similar. But I just think… you know, I’ve always been a little bit more bold, probably in my personality. Coach Cael is obviously very reserved. I’d say that’s probably the biggest difference.” Differences aside, this collegiate season is looking to be a promising one. And David Taylor stands right in the middle at the intersection of mentorship and competition.

On one side stands David Taylor’s Penn State legacy, and on the other stands a historic moment that is almost tangible. Combine the two with what could potentially be one of the greatest comebacks at the World Championships, now that is a season worth remembering. The world eagerly awaits to see what new tricks the magic man will do.