On a fateful Saturday in April 2024, one of wrestling’s biggest legends, David Taylor, faced a crushing blow. The man who once ruled the mat at the Tokyo Olympics in the 86 kg category, capturing gold and the hearts of fans worldwide, found himself toppled. And who dealt the devastating blow? None other than his fellow Penn State comrade, Aron Brooks, in a jaw-dropping Olympic qualifier upset. The dream of seeing Taylor’s magic grace the Olympic podium once again was shattered, leaving his fans heartbroken and stunned.

But just when the dust began to settle, in May 2024, Taylor dropped a bombshell—he was retiring. At 33, the American wrestling great stepped away from the sport that made him a household name, extinguishing any lingering rumors of a transition to MMA. The “Magic Man” was hanging up his boots, not for another wrestling match, but for a new chapter as the head coach at Oklahoma University, where he vowed to create the champions of tomorrow.

And yet, whispers started swirling once more. Could Taylor, a 3-time world champion at 86 kg, make a dramatic comeback? Speculation ran wild about a potential return at the 92 kg World Team Trials set for Sept 14-15 in Omaha, Nebraska. But, alas, those rumors seemed to be just that—rumors. For now, Taylor’s focus is on his budding stars at Oklahoma, where he’s already making waves. In a video shared by Cowboy Wrestling on Instagram, Taylor proudly declared, “It’s exciting to see the progress that we’ve made and where we’re going.” The excitement was palpable as Taylor’s pupils prepared for the upcoming NCAA season and World Championships.

One wrestler, in particular, has Taylor fired up—Daton Fix. The senior world championship team trials are looming, and Fix, competing at 61 kg, is ready to shine under Taylor’s tutelage. Taylor has made it clear that keeping Fix in the Cowboy RTC was a top priority, and now the world will see if the wrestling great can guide his protégé to glory.

But Taylor’s story doesn’t end there. With whispers of a new rivalry brewing, and his reputation as both a legendary wrestler and rising coaching star, the wrestling world knows one thing: David Taylor may be off the mat, but his impact is just beginning. Buckle up, because the Magic Man’s journey is far from over!

David Taylor and Oklahoma State University prepare for the upcoming NCAA Season

Beyond the world championships, the OSU wrestling team is gearing up for the upcoming NCAA season as well under the new head coach. OSU has been the most successful team in NCAA championships, with 34 titles to its name. However, it was in 2008 that it finished at the top spot in the NCAA wrestling championship.

Under the Olympic gold medalist head coach, Oklahoma University is gunning to reclaim its former glory in wrestling. And David Taylor hopes that with his 2025 line-up, he can steer the Cowboys to the top spot. His words, “The state of Oklahoma will be our foundation.” reverberate his enthusiasm. His zeal and energy will be critical for OSU in the upcoming college wrestling season and, most importantly, for the much-anticipated clash with Penn State University coming in three months. What do you think are the prospects of OSU under the wrestling great David Taylor? Can they reclaim their former glory? Share your thoughts in the comments.