David Taylor’s New Head Coach Role Prompts U20 Champion Bo Bassett To Dig Up Decade Old Clip

David Taylor, celebrated as the 2021 Olympic champion and a formidable wrestler with two NCAA titles at Penn State, is embarking on a new journey as head coach of the renowned Oklahoma State wrestling program. With his remarkable transition from competitive athlete to esteemed coach, Taylor steps into the shoes of the legendary John Smith, marking the dawn of a new era in OSU wrestling.

Amidst the excitement surrounding Taylor’s new role, an unexpected blast from the past surfaces, courtesy of U20 champion Bo Bassett. In a nostalgic social media post, Bassett shares a decade-old video clip featuring Taylor, evoking fond memories and stirring anticipation for what lies ahead under Taylor’s leadership.

On May 10th, he shared a post on his social media platform, X, with the caption “Flashback Friday! Filming some new technique videos with DT, back when I was 8. #MachineGunMindset @FloWrestling @magicman_osu @CowboyWrestling.” Bassett included a video showcasing Taylor teaching him wrestling moves on the mat.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Olympic champion Taylor and world champion Bassett together. They’ve trained together before, and fans are eager to see how Taylor will integrate Bassett into his team in his inaugural year. Taylor has been vocal about his vision for Oklahoma, raising questions about how it will impact Bassett’s future in the sport.

Since Bo Bassett secured victory over Aden Valencia with a 5-2 win, claiming the U20 US Open title in the 65kg category, Taylor’s move teases the impact on Bassett’s journey.

Davis Taylor is all set to navigate new horizons

At 33, Taylor, once hailed as one of the world’s finest pound-for-pound male wrestlers, made a surprising announcement on Monday. He declared the end of his competitive wrestling career during a press conference introducing him as the new head coach at Oklahoma State University.

Reflecting on his decision, Taylor admitted that he had anticipated this moment since 2021, especially after clinching Olympic gold in Tokyo. Following a disappointing performance in the Olympic Trials, Taylor found solace in the realization that he had achieved all he desired in his wrestling career. He adds,

“I knew in 2024 that this was going to be it for me as a competitor, I think after 2021 it will be really difficult. … My inner fire started to dwindle a little bit, and it showed. Honesty, I’m at peace with it because I did everything I wanted to do in my career. Everything and more.

Taylor succeeds Olympic gold medalist John Smith as coach, bringing a new era to OSU wrestling. “My journey as a competitor is done,” Taylor acknowledges. “My journey as a coach is now just getting started.” Excitement mounts as Bo Bassett watches his mentor become head coach. How will this impact Oklahoma State and legendary Bassett’s decision to choose a college post his high school years? Let us know your thoughts below!