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Oklahoma State discussed HC opening with Penn State wrestling icon in Happy Valley Friday, new report says

A new report Friday night shed light on the ongoing discussions between Oklahoma State and Penn State wrestling legend David Taylor and the next steps in the Cowboys’ head coaching search.

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Penn State wrestling, David Taylor, Oklahoma State
David Taylor is introduced before wrestling Aaron Brooks for the second time in the 86-kilogram men's freestyle best-of-three championship series during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center April 20, 2024, in State College. Brooks won the series, 2-0.

The situation between Oklahoma State and Penn State wrestling great David Taylor continues to evolve after initial reports that the Cowboys were eyeing the Nittany Lions icon for the school’s head coaching vacancy. After news first broke that a meeting was expected between the two sides this weekend, later reports Friday night indicated that Oklahoma State leadership was in State College Friday morning for an in-person conversation with the two-time National Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist.

Oklahoma State and Penn State wrestling great David Taylor meet Friday in State College, per reports

Over the last 12 hours, the details of the ongoing discussions between Oklahoma State and David Taylor have become more concrete.

It was first reported by Pat Mineo Friday afternoon that David Taylor was scheduled to fly to Stillwater on Saturday to meet with Oklahoma State to discuss the school’s head coaching position, which opened two weeks ago with the retirement of John Smith.

But by the evening, it became clear that the meeting had already taken place Friday morning in State College.

Christian Pyles of FloWrestling provided more details on the rapidly developing situation. His sources indicate Oklahoma State and David Taylor have been in talks for about a week. Pyles confirmed that the Cowboys’ leadership did fly to State College on Thursday night to meet with the former Penn State wrestling star on Friday morning.

The talks may be more serious than originally thought, as Pyles noted that four other candidates were interviewed the week of U.S. Olympic Team Trials before Oklahoma State and Taylor connected.

At this point, there don’t appear to be any further meetings between the sides planned for this weekend.

Taylor, who is now 33, had lost one match since 2018 prior to being swept by fellow Penn State wrestling alumnus Aaron Brooks in the best-of-three Olympic Trials Championship on April 20.

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Former contributor at Nittany Central, Patrick joined Basic Blues Nation in 2023 as the Social Media Director, Penn State Wrestling beat writer, and producer of the Penn State Roar Room spaces. Patrick is also a contributor of Penn State football, basketball, and ice hockey news for the site.

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