David Taylor’s Oklahoma Hopes Crushed as NCAA Champion Stuns Wrestling Community by Staying Put: ‘One of the Best’

David Taylor, the new head wrestling coach for Oklahoma State University, had big plans. As he stepped into his role, he brought two other renowned wrestlers, Jimmy Kennedy, and Thomas Gilman with him to leverage their extensive experience. Together, their recruitment efforts also looked good with the addition of two-time All-American Wyatt Hendrickson. However, their hopes of roping in another NCAA champion got crushed.

They wanted to recruit Andrew Alirez from the University of Northern Colorado. Alirez was weighing multiple offers, including substantial sums from top programs like Iowa, which offered the talent $500,000 through NIL, and Oklahoma State matched the same. But despite the enticing offers and the allure of joining Taylor’s rising team, the 23-year-old Colorado native has decided to stay put at UNC. What is the reason behind his decision?

Andrew Alirez prioritizes his future!

In a post on X, Pat Mineo’s The Wrestling Room announced, “ANDREW ALIREZ IS STAYING PUT!” With one final year of college eligibility remaining, Alirez opted for an Olympic redshirt year from UNC during 2023-24 to fully focus on his training for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Despite pouring his heart and soul into the endeavor, he unfortunately fell short of making the U.S. team for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The University of Northern Colorado extended a generous offer of $150,000 to attract Alirez to remain in Greeley. But beyond financial incentives, the UNC also promised him a blissful future. As per information available, “He was guaranteed a coaching position in Colorado as well once he’s done competing!”

In a statement posted by the two-time US National Wrestling Champion, Andrew Michael Alirez took a moment to express his deepest gratitude to every member of the University of Northern Colorado program for their support and dedication over the years.

He thanked them for their tireless efforts, which had not only made his re-signing possible but also paved the way for his continued growth and success. The wrestler emphasized that the university had become more than just a place of education and athletics for him; it had become a family. Andrew Alirez appreciated how the university and team had embraced him with open arms, believed in his potential, and provided him with the tools and opportunities to excel both on and off the mats.

He ended his note saying, “I am honored and privileged to be a part of such a loyal team, and I look forward to representing the Bears with pride and determination for years to come. This is home.” As the news of his decision surfaced, his fans had a lot to say. Were they happy with his decision?

Wrestling fans react to Andrew Alirez continuing his legacy at the University of Northern Colorado

Fans took to X and expressed their awe and surprise at Andrew Alirez’s decision to stay with the University of Northern Colorado, with one fan remarking, “As they should.” Another fan expressed his shock with an emoji, reacting to his decision of not choosing the potentially more lucrative offers from other colleges, with the caption, “Chose N. Colorado over Iowa and Okie States bags.”

In response, Pat Mineo of The Wrestling Room noted, “N Colorado raised quite a bit to keep him as well,” highlighting the university’s efforts to retain Alirez along with the promise of his future coaching role. One fan simply exclaimed, “Love to see it!” And another voiced support with a straightforward, “Good for him.”

A fan emphasized Alirez’s stature in the wrestling world, stating, “Andrew Alirez one of the best small school guys in the country if not the best. #loyalty.”

And they might not be wrong here. In 2023, he had the following achievements:
– 2023 NCAA champion
– 2023 Big 12 champion
– 2023 Big 12 Wrestler of the Year
– 2023 Dan Hodge Trophy Finalist

Alirez’s other successes include:
– Became the university’s first national champion in the modern wrestler era (141 pounds)
– Advanced farther than any other Bear in the NCAA Tournament since Justin Gaethje in 2010
– Finished season (2022-2023) with a perfect 28-0 record

So the above reactions by social media users show that despite the buzz behind the lucrative offers, Alirez’s decision definitely received a nod from his well-wishers. As we anticipate the continuation of his legacy, what are your thoughts on this decision? Did Andrew Alirez make the right choice in not selecting Oklahoma State and Iowa? Share your thoughts in the comments below!