It seems like David Taylor’s move to OSU is paying off already. The Cowboys seem to be already providing the Magic Man with all the motivation to keep striving for his first victory against his alma mater Penn State’s iconic NCAA wrestling coach Cael Sanderson. So much so that Taylor is set to edge past his former coach on some counts in his very first year of taking office.

The NCAA wrestling scene is one of the most competitive collegiate sports and it’s only justifiable for the coaches to be paid lumpsum amounts to keep parity with the high demands of their roles. Now, as David’s contract details come under light, it looks like the Cowboys are determined to give him all the benefits for helping reinstate OSU to its former glory.

In an article by Pistols Firing Blog from yesterday, the Olympic gold medalist’s deal with Oklahoma has been shared elaborately. According to the article, David has signed a six-year contract with the Cowboys, which will run through 2030, and Taylor is set to earn one million dollars in his first year in charge of his new camp. The three-time world champion will also see a $30,000 rise in his salary with every passing year, making his final year earnings $1.15 million.

While details of Cael’s contract with Penn State were not disclosed, it could be well-surmised that his salary being a million dollars doesn’t seem likely, considering the standard payment of the country’s top wrestling coaches. To put things into perspective, Tom Brands, the head coach of Iowa’s wrestling program, will earn $700,000 for the 2024-25 season.

In contrast, Taylor is set to earn a total of $6.45 million by the time his current contract with OSU expires. Along with the mind-numbing amount, Taylor is also eligible for additional bonuses for team and individual podium finishes at the NCAA Championships. Winning the NCAA title will come with an extra reward of $125,000 while an individual NCAA champion will provide him with $10,000. However, considering Sanderson’s mind-boggling record in the NCAA, such feats are easier said than done.

David Taylor to be the one to end Sanderson’s reign of supremacy?

Ever since the Iowa alum joined the NLWC in 2009, Penn State has emerged victorious in 11 NCAA Championships and Sanderson currently boasts seven straight national title wins with 39 individual NCAA titles as the head coach of the program. Understandably, Cael hovers above an elite status that can evoke serious envy among his peers in the collegiate wrestling scene. On the other hand, while OSU flexed 15 NCAA titles, the program’s last national victory came in 2006. With Taylor’s employment, the Cowboys hope to bring back the heydays of the school and take the fight to Penn State this time around.

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Taylor’s fans expected to see him defend his gold medal in Paris. However, that dream was squashed by Aaron Brooks, another of Sanderson’s star wrestlers who has four individual NCAA individual golds under his belt.

While Taylor’s announcement to walk over to the OSU camp following his dropping out of the Road to Paris led to a lot of commotion in the country, it seemed like Penn State stars took the decision somewhat more personally than others. Emphatic NLWC figures like Carter Starocci didn’t hesitate to sneer at their predecessor for the latter’s alleged betrayal of Penn State. However, Taylor retained his calm and even roped in serious money to overhaul OSU’s training infrastructure.

Now that Taylor seems to have surpassed his former coach in at least one aspect, it remains to be seen if the three-time US Open champion can replicate a similar seminal victory on the mat as well.