In just a few weeks, we will commemorate the anniversary of David Taylor’s arrival with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Indeed, after the legendary John Smith’s retirement, Taylor has shown that he was more than prepared to fill the role. The performance of his wrestlers during the 2024-25 season was nothing short of remarkable! The Cowboys posted an impressive 13–1 dual meet record, captured the Big 12 Championship with a total of 153.5 points, and finished strong in third place at the NCAA Championships, amassing 102.5 points. But Taylor didn’t achieve it alone; he had his coaching team too and they too are important contributors to their success.

In a significant achievement, Dean Hamiti and Wyatt Hendrickson secured individual national titles, representing the program’s first multiple-champion finish since 2016. Clearly, aside from the wrestlers, the credit indeed goes to David Taylor and his staff for coaching these performances out of them. But in a significant development, the coach has now included another prominent figure in his coaching lineup. In a strategic move to enhance his coaching team, Taylor has recruited Lee Roper from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), where Roper played a crucial role in the wrestling program.

At Oklahoma State, Roper took on the position of Executive Director and Senior Level Coach for the Cowboy Regional Training Center (RTC), concentrating on the development of elite athletes and playing a key role in shaping the program’s strategic direction. What insights has the head coach of UNI shared regarding this matter?

On X, Nic Ryder conveyed Doug Schwab’s insights regarding Roper’s transition to the Cowboys, remarking, “Yeah, I mean. You don’t. Again, like senior class, like you don’t you don’t replace those guys, you know, I mean they left it better than they found it and you’re so grateful for the time that you had with those individuals but the reality of life is time moves on and No matter who’s here, who’s not, like there’s a job to be done. There’s progress to be made. There’s gonna be a national tournament next year, the same dates, no matter what in you know, you are extremely grateful for what that person gave, I mean, engaged our program to get 10 years, and you’re never gonna forget that.”

Lee Roper was instrumental in the achievements of the University of Northern Iowa wrestling program throughout his time there. Although his departure will create a significant impact at UNI, Schwab urged his wrestlers to maintain their focus on the sport. As the NCAA season will approach once more, the head coach at UNI is determined to ensure his wrestlers achieve their utmost potential.

Moreover, despite the difficulties at hand, he encourages them to flourish amidst these transformations, embracing the course of destiny. So, what do we know about Roper’s background?

David Taylor might have picked up an enormous asset for the Cowboys

Lee Roper began his journey as a volunteer coach in the 2015–16 season and later moved into a full-time assistant coach position, dedicating eight years to the role until the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.

Roper’s approach to coaching, which prioritizes comprehensive athlete growth and meticulous technical skill, perfectly complemented head coach Doug Schwab’s aspirations for the program. His previous role as co-founder of Compound Wrestling Facilities in Georgia enhanced his capacity to mentor athletes successfully, including future UNI All-Americans such as Joey Lazor and Taylor Lujan. Roper’s dedication to cultivating a culture of excellence and his strategic insights played a crucial role in enhancing UNI’s national reputation in collegiate wrestling.

The exit of the former UNI assistant coach to Oklahoma State’s Cowboy Regional Training Center signifies the conclusion of an important era for UNI, highlighting the considerable influence he wielded over the program’s growth and achievements. Only time will reveal how he will flourish under David Taylor’s leadership.