Oklahoma State and Wrestling Legend John Smith To Retire

STILLWATER – College wrestling will never be the same again as Oklahoma State, and wrestling legend, John Smith is retiring.

Assistant coach Coleman Scott will serve as the program’s interim head coach.

"It has been an honor to coach for more than 32 years at the same institution," Smith said. "I can't even begin to tell you what Oklahoma State has done for me, my wife, my immediate family and brothers and sisters who all graduated from OSU. My journey started at age 17 here at Oklahoma State and it has allowed me to accomplish everything I ever wanted."

Smith, who turns 59 this coming August, has been the head coach at Oklahoma State since 1992, won five NCAA team titles, his first in 1994 and four-straight from 2003 to 2006. During his 33 years as head coach, Smith has recorded a dual record of 490-73-6, which is most among active head coaches and third all-time behind only Harold Nichols and Dale Thomas. In fact, those three coaches are the only three ever to have at least 450 career dual wins.

During that time, the Cowboys have win 21 Big 12 team titles, including 132 individual conference titles and 153 All-Americans, which according to Oklahoma State athletics media relations, is believed to be the most in Division 1 wrestling history with an average of 4.6 All-Americans per season. 

He also coached 33 individual national champions.

Smith has also coached two Hodge Trophy winners, the equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in college football, with Steve Mocco and Alex Dieringer, and five Olympic wrestlers, including Jamill Kelly and Coleman Scott, both of which who won silver medals.

"Coach Smith is a hero and truly the greatest of all time," OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said. "John has dedicated his life's work to Oklahoma State University, Cowboy Wrestling and the sport. Although the decision comes with much emotion for him and for us, he felt the time was right to retire. Because we have so much respect for him, we will respect his decision and honor and celebrate his exceptional contributions and loyalty to Oklahoma State. John will continue to support the program as a lifelong Cowboy and due to his efforts, we know great things are yet to come for Cowboy Wrestling."

Coaching Career

• Oklahoma State’s All-Time Winningest Coach With a 490-73-6 Career Record
• Two-Time NWCA National Coach of the Year (1994, 2003)
• Five-Time NCAA Champion Coach (1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
• 23-Time Conference Champion Coach (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012 (reg seas), 2013 (reg seas/tourn), 2014, 2015,     2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• 13-Time Big 12 Coach of the Year (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• Two-Time Big Eight Coach of the Year (1994, 1996)
• 33 NCAA Individual Champions Coached
• 153 NCAA All-Americans Coached
• 132 Conference Individual Champions Coached
• Coach, USA Olympic Wrestling Team (2000, 2012)
• Coach, USA Men’s World Championships Team (1998, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• Coach, USA Women’s Co-Coach of the Year (2017)
• Coach, USA World Cup Team (1997)
• Coach, USA Women’s Cadet World Team (2018)

Wrestling Career

• Six-Time World Champion Wrestler (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
• Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist (1988, 1992)
• Two-Time Pan-American Games Gold Medalist (1987, 1991)
• Two-Time Goodwill Games Gold Medalist (1986, 1990)
• Two-Time NCAA Wrestling Champion (1987, 1988)
• Three-Time NCAA All-American (1985, 1987, 1988)
• Three-Time Big Eight Champion (1985, 1987, 1988)
• First North American Wrestler to Claim the Amateur Athletic Foundation World Trophy (1992)
• First Ever American to Earn FILA’s Master of Technique Award (Best Technical Wrestler in the World, 1990)
• First Wrestler to Win James E. Sullivan Award (Nation’s Top Amateur Athlete, 1990)
• U.S. Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year (1990)
• FILA Outstanding Wrestler of the Year (1991)
• USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year (1989)
• Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year (1988)
• U.S. Olympic Committee Titan Award (2004)
• Named one of the 100 Greatest Olympians of All-Time (1996)
• Member, FILA Hall of Fame (2003)
• Distinguished Member, National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1997)
• Member, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (1997)
• Member, Oklahoma Hall of Fame (2020)
• Member, NCAA 75th Anniversary Team (2005)
• NWCA College Wrestler of the Year (1987) 

Records as a Wrestler
International Record: 100-5
Domestic Freestyle Record: 77-3
Collegiate Record: 152-8-2
High School Record: 105-5