Former OSU Wrestler Kevin Ward Hired as Assistant Coach

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach David Taylor has hired a new assistant coach. It was announced on Monday former OSU wrestling Kevin Ward is back and is now on staff.

Ward joins the staff after spending the past 11 years as the head coach at Army West Point.

"It's hard to put into words my appreciation for the opportunity to come back to Oklahoma State," Ward said in the release. "It's where my college wrestling and coaching careers started, and it's a program that has given me so much over the years. The opportunity to give back to the program is something that's really special for me and I'm thrilled to join Coach Taylor and his staff.

"Coach Taylor has energized and elevated the program, and he has a vision for Oklahoma State Wrestling that is inspiring for everyone involved. I'm looking forward to working alongside all the great coaches, athletes and supporters of Oklahoma State Wrestling. Our goal is to be the best program in college wrestling and to be a destination for the most driven and motivated wrestlers in the country. I'm excited to get to work."

He wrestled at Oklahoma State from 2001-06, winning a Big 12 individual title at 157 pounds and was a three-time academic All-American.

During his 11 seasons at Army, Ward compiled a 59-53 overall record, while sending 54 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. He also snapped a 17-year losing streak to Navy. 

During his last season, Ward sent seven wrestlers to the NCAAs, the most for Army since 2021 and the second-most in program history. 

Prior to his time at West Point, Ward built the Ouachita Baptist program from the ground up, where he coached two NCAA finalists, Dallas Smith and Josh Meyers. He was also named the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year after a fourth-place finish at the NCAA championships. 

"I'm excited to welcome Kevin Ward back to Oklahoma State Wrestling," coach David Taylor said. "Kevin was part of four NCAA team titles as a Cowboy wrestler, helped start a successful program from the ground up at Ouachita Baptist and has been a consistent force at Army for more than a decade. His return to the wrestling room here at OSU is going to help us reach our goals for the highest levels of success on and off the mat."

Ward joins associate head coach Jimmy Kennedy and Tyler Caldwell on coach Taylor’s staff.