David Taylor, famously known as the “Magic Man,” surprised everyone five months ago when he announced his retirement. He explained that his “inner fire” was dwindling after clinching the 86 kg Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020—the last major title he could achieve. So, he accepted the head coach position at Oklahoma State University (OSU), which marked a big shift as he left his beloved Penn State wrestling program for one of its top rivals.

Recently, Taylor opened up about his biggest complaint during his time at Penn State, shedding light on the challenges he encountered. In a YouTube video on the “Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club” channel, titled “Coach David Taylor – OSU Wrestling,” he shared insights into those experiences and how they shaped his journey.

David Taylor admitted that he had no desire to continue wrestling at Penn State, but once he got into the room and started, his mentality shifted significantly. He shared, “When I was training, training was my career path; I was getting towards the end of it, and I was getting tired.” He felt stagnant, trying to maintain what he had achieved, which wasn’t the reason for his past successes. He reached a point where he had been wrestling the same guys in the same weight class and had fulfilled all his goals. This stagnation prompted him to seek change, and he found that returning to the practice room with the guys—just wrestling—stimulated his growth. But it seems dynamics are now changing.

David Taylor is now making a strong return to wrestling. The 33-year-old recently won the national trials at 92 kg and is set to compete in the non-Olympic weight class at the World Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania, this October. Reflecting on his comeback, he shared that stepping away gave him a fresh perspective. He sees this as a valuable opportunity for both himself and Oklahoma State University wrestling. While it’s uncommon for a college coach to compete at such a high level, it’s not without precedent.

David Taylor’s impact on wrestling at OSU

John Smith, Taylor’s predecessor, won his second Olympic gold medal shortly after starting as OSU head coach. Similarly, Cael Sanderson briefly came out of retirement to compete while coaching Taylor. OSU is embracing Taylor’s return as a chance to promote their program and inspire their athletes. Athletic director Chad Weiberg stated that showcasing Taylor’s competition will enhance what’s happening within their team.

But at the same time, David Taylor’s bold move made in May by leaving his beloved Penn State wrestling program to take on the role of head coach at Oklahoma State University was one of its fiercest rivals. This announcement came just weeks after the 33-year-old Taylor faced a surprising upset at the Olympic Wrestling Team Trials, where he was defeated in consecutive matches by former Penn State teammate Aaron Brooks in the 86 kg class.

Even after stepping away from competition, Taylor remained of Penn State’s wrestling dominance, boasting an impressive 134-3 record and being a three-time Hodge Trophy winner. He achieved significant success in freestyle wrestling, with a 152-21 record that includes three World Championship gold medals and an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Known for his knack for comebacks and late-match heroics, David earned the nickname “Magic Man.” Beyond his competitive achievements, Taylor has become a respected youth coach, operating a training center, M2, in the State College area, and actively contributing as a key member and instructor with the Nittany Lions Wrestling Club while raising three young daughters with his wife. It’s clear that even after retirement, Taylor’s legacy will endure in the wrestling community, ensuring his name remains a prominent part of the sport.