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

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.

Looks like the meeting couldn’t wait- Oklahoma State AD flew to State College and interviewed DT today, right here in PA. 👀 https://t.co/P4aMNw07ut

— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) May 4, 2024

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.

Oklahoma State and David Taylor have been in contact since late last week about the Cowboys head coach position. OSU leadership flew to State College last night and met with David this morning.

I’m told there is no additional meeting in Stillwater with David planned for this…

— Christian Pyles (@CPyles8) May 4, 2024

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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