David Taylor is facing the ultimate coaching dilemma. As the head coach of Oklahoma State, his sole focus is on leading the Cowboys to NCAA wrestling glory. But as the tournament brackets have revealed, one of his top wrestlers, Dean Hamiti, could soon face off against his former Penn State protege, Levi Haines, in the 174-pound semifinals. And now, the question looms—does Taylor step back, or does he go all in for the Cowboys?

The potential Hamiti vs. Haines matchup isn’t just another semifinal—it’s a battle of Taylor’s past versus his present. Both wrestlers have only lost to No. 1 seed Keegan O’Toole this season, with each taking him into sudden-victory rounds. That means these two are as evenly matched as it gets, setting up a high-stakes showdown with a ticket to the finals on the line.

Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti enters the NCAA tournament as the No. 3 seed and the Cowboys’ best shot at a national title this year. He opens the tournament against Rutgers’ Jackson Turley (No. 30 seed) and is expected to cruise through the early rounds. But the real moment everyone is watching? That potential semifinal clash with Haines.

Haines, a former Penn State standout under Taylor, has dominated his weight class and now sits as the No. 2 seed. His path is similarly straightforward—both he and Hamiti have only fallen to O’Toole, the reigning NCAA champ. And now, they could be gearing up for one of the most talked-about battles of the tournament.

For Taylor, this isn’t just about coaching another match—it’s about deciding where he stands in a moment of personal and professional significance. Wrestling insiders have already speculated that Taylor may follow Eric Thompson’s move from last year and not sit in either wrestler’s corner if they meet in the semis. But stepping back in a tournament where every point counts might not be an option.

Taylor knows this match could shape the Cowboys’ NCAA success, yet it’s also a direct challenge to his deep ties with Penn State. It’s not just about winning—it’s about balancing loyalty, respect, and the pursuit of greatness.

Oklahoma State’s road to NCAA success

Aside from the theatrics of the Hamiti vs. Haines match, the Cowboys are set for one of their most successful runs in the NCAA in recent times. Seven OSU wrestlers were awarded top-eight seeds, meaning that if they delivered, they would place seven All-Americans on the podium. That last happened in 2017, and Oklahoma State hadn’t placed more than three since the year 2021.

Taylor’s roster is full of podium threats. Oklahoma State’s Big 12 champion and No. 2 heavyweight seed, Wyatt Hendrickson, is aiming for history. Dustin Plott, runner-up in the 2024 NCAA at 184, is in pursuit of his first title in the No. 4 seed. The dark horse candidate for reaching the podium is the No. 8 seed at 197, Luke Surber.

The stakes are as high as they can be for Taylor. His decisions as a coach in this tournament could establish his legacy at Oklahoma State. But at the center is the ethical dilemma—does he actively coach Hamiti in a game against a man he once trained?

Taylor’s first NCAA tournament as Oklahoma State head coach is already a defining moment in his career, but the Hamiti vs. Haines semifinal becomes personal. The two wrestlers are both title-level, and the bout is a glimpse at what could be in store in terms of future title runs. But more than that, it is a test for Taylor: Can he put his Penn State legacy in the past and lead Oklahoma State to wrestling glory?

No matter what happens, one can be guaranteed: this semifinal is set to be one of the most-watched matches in Philadelphia. The wrestling world is holding their collective breath—will Taylor come in, or will he back out?