Almost a year ago, Oklahoma State’s Director of Athletics, Chad Weiberg, made a power move—bringing in the wrestling legend David Taylor as the Cowboys’ new head coach. And let’s be real, Taylor’s resume isn’t just stacked—it’s straight-up legendary. Olympic gold? Check. Three-time World Champ? You bet. Dan Hodge Trophy? Twice. NCAA champ? Twice. Finalist? Four times. Big Ten titles? Four more.

Yeah, this man wasn’t just great on the mat—he owned it. So stepping into the coaching game? That only meant one thing: more Ws, but this time from the sidelines. And now, in his very first year calling the shots, Taylor’s bold moves in the NCAA transfer game are making history. Turns out, the magic he had as a competitor? He’s got it as a coach too.

Justin Basch, the mastermind behind Baschamania, hopped on X to drop some well-deserved flowers for Oklahoma State’s newest star. “Incredible tournament by Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti as David Taylor & co as gets their first National Champ! Hamiti took out back-to-back returning National Champs in Levi Haines & Keegan O’Toole to win the 174lbs title. Incredible season & well-earned title for Hamiti.” And let’s be real—that’s not just a win, that’s a statement.

Dean Hamiti went on beast mode, battling through the gauntlet and sealing the deal with a clutch 4-1 OT victory over Keegan O’Toole. Taking down two defending champs back-to-back? That’s next-level dominance. With David Taylor now running the show, it’s safe to say Oklahoma State’s fire is officially lit.

And just like that, a whole year has flown by since Dean Hamiti shook up the wrestling world with his big move. The former Wisconsin standout didn’t waste any time once he hit the transfer portal—two days in, and boom, he had his next chapter locked in. A Junior 165-pound powerhouse, Hamiti was a two-time All-American for the Badgers before falling short of that mark in the previous season. But let’s be real, that was just a plot twist, not the end of the story.

Entering the portal as a no-contact recruit meant schools had to wait for him to make the first move—and when he did, he went straight for Oklahoma State University. One quick social media drop later, and the world knew: Hamiti was Cowboy-bound under David Taylor. And talking about this, under Taylor, the team indeed had a few stars who made waves!

Oklahoma State’s stars shine under David Taylor!

Oklahoma State wrestling has been straight-up electric this week, and with the NCAA finals they indeed made waves! With three warriors—Troy Spratley, Dean Hamiti, and Wyatt Hendrickson—battling for national titles and three more clinching All-American honors, the squad is flexing its dominance. David Taylor’s first season as head coach has been nothing short of a statement, as his squad sits comfortably in third place with 91 points, trailing only powerhouses Penn State (135.5) and Nebraska (101.5). And with Nebraska also sending three finalists to the big stage, this team race is getting spicy.

Leading the charge is Dean “The Dynamo” Hamiti, who delivered a thrilling 4-2 win over Penn State’s Levi Haines in the semis, securing his spot in the finals against Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole. Wyatt Hendrickson also made waves, exacting revenge on Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet, the reigning champ, with a commanding 8-2 victory. Now, he’s set for a heavyweight showdown against Olympic legend Gable Steveson. And just like that, the latest update is in—Wyatt Hendrickson just pulled off something unreal, toppling Olympic champ, Gable Steveson, stealing the NCAA title for the Cowboys!

Meanwhile, Troy Spratley gritted his way past Eddie Ventresca in a nail-biting semifinal, earning himself a shot at redemption against NC State’s Vincent Robinson. Each of these battles is dripping with drama, and under David Taylor’s leadership, Oklahoma State wrestlers aren’t just competing—they’re making history.

Beyond the championship chases, Oklahoma State has secured six All-Americans for the first time since 2021, proving the program’s depth and firepower. While Dustin Plott fought valiantly against Penn State’s four-time champ Carter Starocci, he now looks to claim third place, keeping the Cowboys’ momentum rolling. Regardless of whether OSU leapfrogs Nebraska in the final standings, one thing is clear—David Taylor’s squad is on the rise.