Editor's note: A previous version of the story reported from an anonymous source that said Coleman Scott was bitter about the how the athletic department handled the decision to hire David Taylor. Scott later contacted the News Press directly and denied it.
The biggest story of the college wrestling offseason was bittersweet news for the Cowboys as former coach John Smith retired after 33 seasons at Oklahoma State.
The university shockingly hired David Taylor to replace the five-time national champion.
Taylor, who is simultaneously still the best wrestler in the room, could work his magic with the Cowboys quickly. But there is still some palpable tension in and around the program stemming from how the offseason has unfolded.
“Trust goes two ways, and we’re trying to focus on earning their trust every day,” Taylor said. “We wrestle with the guys every day, and I think that’s the quickest way that you can earn a kid’s trust – be in the trenches with them.”
And the quickest way for Taylor and his staff of outsiders to earn the fanbase’s trust will be winning duals.
The News Press spoke with wrestlers, coaches and community members at the last John Smith Wrestling Camp Tuesday. Regardless of how any of them felt about the coaching change, the unanimous opinion was that OSU is positioned to have its best season since 2021.
“We have a lot of momentum with this recruiting class and the next one,” Taylor said. “We got a couple of guys out of the transfer portal, and we’re excited to compete this year.”
Caleb Fish plans to move down to 157, compete with Teague Travis
OSU has brought in three transfers who wrestled at 165 pounds this past season to replace Izzak Olejnik.
Dean Hamiti and Caleb Fish committed two weeks before Smith retired, and Cameron Amine transferred two weeks into Taylor’s tenure.
Fish said it was a crazy month for him.
“I actually didn’t know that DT was going for the position, but he called me and talked about the excitement that was coming to the program,” he said. “He told me he wanted me here, and that was enough for me.”
The fifth-year senior said he plans to move down to 157 pounds and compete with redshirt junior Teague Travis.
“We both just know we’re wrestling for the spot,” Fish said. “I’m looking to be an NCAA champ, and I think the team is definitely going toward the team title.”
Taylor said he likes the idea of having multiple wrestlers in weight classes who will battle all summer and fall to bring the best out of each other.
“We just want a competitive roster – guys that are going to wrestle and ultimately figure it out so we can put the best team on the mat,” Taylor said. “We’re going to let guys scrap it. We’re going to see who wrestles the way we want and who scores a lot of points.”
Fish also mentioned the possibility of him redshirting, but he wasn’t sure.
Brayden Thompson likely to redshirt next season, move up to 184
Brayden Thompson had a roller coaster of a true freshman season with a 12-11 record.
He said much of that had to do with acclimating to life as a college student.
“It was tough at first,” Thompson said. “I kind of just had to handle school, and then it all came together.”
He was looking forward to developing under the same system for a second year and had mixed feelings when Taylor was announced as coach.
“It’s a little difficult because I was really close with the previous coaches. Those were the guys that recruited me,” Thompson said. “I built a relationship with them even while they were in college here.
“Things didn’t end up that way, but I’m extremely grateful to have (Taylor). He’s a great coach and is excited for next year.”
Thompson and Taylor had a conversation about his future, and Thompson said he liked what the new coach had to say.
“Thinking about redshirting … it’s about a 60% chance,” Thompson said. “We’ll figure it out.”
Thompson said he plans to move up to 184 pounds and hopefully succeed Dustin Plott, who is going into his last year of eligibility.
Plott made the transition from 174 to 184 pounds this past season. He said it would be a good change for Thompson, who was the No. 1 recruit at 182 pounds in 2023.
“He’ll be fine,” Plott said. “I really enjoyed going up and not cutting weight, focusing more on wrestling.”
Cowboys were surprised when Christian Carroll transferred
The program seemed to finally settle when heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson transferred from Air Force.
Redshirt freshman Christian Carroll, the heavyweight in waiting, was trending toward starting at 197 pounds.
Then on June 6, Carroll, who was vocal in his support of Coleman Scott, entered the transfer portal. He committed to Iowa State on June 13.
The News Press asked Plott if he was surprised.
“Yeah, I was,” Plott said. “He did what he wanted to do. I hope it works out for him as my friend, so I’m going to support them.”
Thompson had a similar response.
“Kind of,” Thompson said. “He was also really close with the coaches, and I can see his point of view.”
Chris Perry has moved on
Cathy Perry – the third of 10 Smith children, one of the John Smith Wrestling Camp organizers and mother of former assistant coach Chris Perry – said her family has had a complicated spring.
On one hand, she was happy to see her younger brother celebrated after a long career. On the other, she was sad for her son.
She also made it clear that she will support Taylor.
Now that Chris has had time to process everything, Cathy said, he’s excited for a change and has “a couple of really good opportunities.”
“He’ll be making a decision before too long,” Cathy said. “He’ll be at one of the top schools. Chris will land on his feet at a good position. I feel real blessed about that because the timing was not good for any of it.”
Chris lived in Stillwater for basically his entire life and is looking forward to finding out what else the world has to offer him, Cathy said.
“He’s very competitive, so he’s cut ties,” Cathy said. “He’s about whatever’s next.”
The News Press received a letter from an anonymous source who said the community feels hurt by the coaching changes.
“Stillwater is a tight-knit wrestling community where lineage runs thick. When news broke of the hiring of wrestling great David Taylor, many in the community were excited to have such a great champion coming to Stillwater,” the letter said. “Many were also hurt and broken due to the communities and friendships with the departures of beloved coaches and OSU stock members.
“The eighth head coach of OSU and his staff will have to work to repair what many in the community felt was a betrayal, but one Taylor put a Band-Aid on by keeping the beloved coach, Tyler Caldwell.”
Tyler Caldwell’s retention stabilized a tumultuous program
Wrestlers and coaches throughout the years have credited Caldwell for the program’s recruiting success and relationship-building. Many of them said his retention helped to ease nerves.
Caldwell said the offseason has taken an emotional toll on the team, and the wrestlers are excited to move forward.
“Any change is uncomfortable,” Caldwell said. “I think having me around the guys provides a level of familiarity and comfortability, so I definitely think that has helped with some of the transition.”
Caldwell said the past two months “has been a very fun experience” for him.
“They’re coming in with a different perspective,” Caldwell said. “I’m learning everyday from them, and I think our guys are really enjoying it.”
Dustin Plott’s redemption
After seven seasons with Daton Fix, the team needs a new face on the mat and leader in the room.
Plott, a three-time All-American and NCAA runner-up, is the natural successor, Taylor said.
“Dustin embodies everything that we’re looking for in a competitor, so it has been really fun getting to know him and working with him,” Taylor said. “Hopefully, we’ll help him fulfill all of his goals.”
Plott’s No. 1 goal is to become an NCAA champion.
To do it, he will likely have to go through Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa, who holds a 3-0 record against him. There are also murmurs coming out of State College, Pennsylvania, that four-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci will move up to 184 pounds.
“I really love the challenge of competing, especially against (Keckeisen),” Plott said. “I’m really looking forward to wrestling him again and making adjustments. He’s a great competitor and a great guy.”
This has been a year of redemption for Plott, who has already found some off of the mat. He laughed about pictures of his marriage proposal to his girlfriend at the Braum’s in Mustang.
“She rejected me five years ago when I asked her to be my girlfriend there,” Plott said. “That has been our date spot since we’ve been together. We go there for ice cream all the time.”
