Former Oklahoma State interim head coach Coleman Scott broke his silence after the Cowboys opted to hire David Taylor.
The wrestling program took a big swing with the Olympic Gold Medalist and Penn State legend. Scott originally left his head coaching position at North Carolina after eight years to come back to Stillwater last year.
Now, he’ll leave his alma mater once again, but released a thoughtful statement on the decision.
“I wanted to take the time and space to share my heart today,” Scott wrote in a statement. “First, I want to say thank you Oklahoma State University for giving me the opportunity to come back and coach this last year. It was an honor to finally get to do what I love in a place that had always felt like my true home.
“I also want to congratulate John on his retirement. Thank you for the time and energy you committed to my career. Good luck to David Taylor and the new coaching staff at OSU. It’s a special place and a legendary program that deserves the absolute best. It shaped my life and made me the man I am today.”
Scott, a four-time All-American for Oklahoma State, won a national title in 2008 for the Cowboys prior to his coaching career.
“I will surely miss being a cowboy,” Scott wrote. “I’m not sure what the future holds for myself and my family, but I am always faithful that although the ox is slow, the earth is patient.”
In his international wrestling career, Scott was a member of the 2012 Olympic Team and won a Bronze Medal.
Scott was a volunteer assistant at Oklahoma State, aiding NCAA champions Jordan Oliver, Chris Perry (twice) and Alex Dieringer. He then coached Austin O’Connor to two NCAA titles while with the Tar Heels.
Scott was coached by John Smith, who retired after this season, but ultimately returned to the program to work under his mentor.
Smith was Oklahoma State’s all-time winningest coach with a dual record of 490-73-6. His 490 dual wins is the most among active coaches and third overall at the Division I level, only behind Harold Nichols and Dale Thomas. Smith joined Nichols and Thomas as the only Division I head coaches to reach even 450 career dual wins.
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