David Taylor, the “Magic Man,” has had an exceptional wrestling journey. From being a standout collegiate wrestler at Penn State to an Olympic champion, Taylor showed determination and passion toward his goal. Taylor gave his 15 years of training and competing for Penn State under his coach Cael Sanderson, and even after graduating, he was coached by Sanderson. As an athlete, Taylor recorded great success, including two NCAA championships, four Big Ten titles, multiple Hodge Trophies, and becoming a three-time world champion. After making records in the 86 kg weight category, including the 2023 world championship, Taylor moved to the 92 kg category and qualified for the 2024 World Team Trials and won the event, marking his 6th entry in Team USA in the last 7 years. But things took a turn for him just a few months before.

Taylor’s recent failure to clinch a final spot at the Paris Olympics after losing out to Aaron Brooks at the trials might have been the last straw he had left in his wrestling career. Transitioning his success from an active wrestler to a mentor, Taylor has now stepped into coaching others, as he is now the head coach of Oklahoma State’s Cowboy wrestling program. But who coached the coach incarnate before he stepped into his current role?

Learn about wrestling sensation David Taylor’s coach

David Morris Taylor III, a former Penn State wrestler, has made several records in the field of wrestling, with his coach, Cael Sanderson, on his side. Sanderson joined Penn State wrestling as a head coach in 2009, and since then he has made a huge difference in the sport. Though he started as a collegiate wrestler, he made it through to be a head coach with his passion and dedication for wrestling and gave many great wrestlers to the community. One such wrestler is Taylor, who showcased his training skills to the world and became a world champion and is now head coach of Oklahoma State. Other top wrestlers who have been coached by Sanderson are Aaron Brooks, Carter Starocci, and Frank Molinaro.

Sanderson started his career as a wrestler in 1998 as a freshman at Iowa State and soon became an Olympic gold medalist in the 84 kg weight category in 2004. After winning many titles and championships, including four NCAA championships, he has been a Dan Hodge Trophy winner three times and a Hall of Fame in 2017 by Iowa State University Athletics. He moved to Penn State as a coach.

Under coach Cael, Penn State won 11 national titles, including David Taylor with several wins to his name and played a vital role in the team’s first four championship wins. Their journey has many things in common: four-time high school state champion, 2X Hodge Trophy winner, and Olympic gold medalist. Today, they share another title—head coaches. But to the surprise of fans, Taylor is again back to competitive wrestling, as he wants to end his career on his own terms. But while we talk about their similarities, they have differences too.

In an interview with NSN, Taylor mentioned, “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.” It shows that only similarities do not make two people do wonders, but along with differences, they can create history.

David Taylor gives complete credit to coach Cael Sanderson for his successful career as a wrestler. Now, as Sanderson gears up for the upcoming Penn State Wrestling Program 2024-25 season, it’s evident that his influence extends far beyond coaching individual athletes.

All about the glorious coaching career of Cael Sanderson

Following an incredible wrestling career, Cael Norman Sanderson achieved a record of 159-0 in college—unmatched to this day. However, Cael’s transition from competitor to coach opened a new chapter and had a profound impact on American wrestling. Sanderson took Penn State wrestling to new heights since he joined as a coach. He started his coaching career at Iowa State as a head coach at the end of 2007, after short stints as a special assistant in 2003 and 2004. 

During Sanderson’s coaching term from 2007 to 2009, he made Iowa State reach the second position in 2007, and in the top 5 in 2008, followed by 3 positions in 2009-ended with a 44-10-0 record and also gave two national champions in the NCAA. Later, in 2009 itself, coach Cael got the opportunity to train brilliant wrestlers at Pennsylvania State University as a head coach. How has Sanderson’s journey been at Penn State as a coach?

As a 12th wrestling head at Penn State, Sanderson resumed his coaching career and has stuck to the Nittany Lions since then. He has a record of 203-16-2 with Penn State and led them to eight Big Ten championships and 11 NCAA titles. A total of 98 All-Americans and 36 National Champions have been produced under his coaching, which includes his three-year tenure at Iowa State. During his tenure, Cael had a career record of 235-26-2, and he is still counting. But David Taylor somewhere started surpassing Sanderson’s record of coaching career as a head coach.

As the years go on, Sanderson is proving his worth as a coach and building great wrestlers. But how much further can Cael Sanderson elevate wrestling? For wrestling lovers, Sanderson’s career serves as a reminder that greatness isn’t just about winning on the mat—it’s about building a legacy that inspires future wrestlers.