John Smith returns to coaching, becomes volunteer assistant for Oklahoma State women’s wrestling

Legendary wrestling coach John Smith is returning to the bench as he was announced as a volunteer assistant for the Oklahoma State women’s wrestling program. The Cowgirls currently operate as a club program with the aspirations to officially become Division I in the near future.

Currently Iowa is the only Power Four school to sponsor women’s wrestling at the Division 1 level. Other wrestling schools such as Lehigh and Brown have had huge investments in the women’s side.

Smith retired as the head coach of Oklahoma State after the 2023-24 season and was replaced by Olympic Gold Medalist and former Penn State star David Taylor. The Cowboys saw a resurrection last season and now Smith will assist with the women’s program as they continue to rise.

“This season I am gonna work with Cowgirl wrestling,” Smith said. “A lot of people have been involved in making this happen, making this work. We’ve got several women here, not just from Oklahoma, but from across the country.

“I look forward to the days I’m gonna work with them and looking forward to getting back in the room and working with young women that are very hungry to wrestle.”

Smith is 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.

Smith will join a staff led by Izzak Olejnik, who was coached by Smith at Oklahoma State. Olejnik went 117-32 in his college career and was a two-time All-American. He spent five seasons at Northern Illinois and placed 8th in 2023 at 165 pounds. In his grad year at Oklahoma State, his lone year under Smith, he went 28-7 and finished 5th at the weight to cap his career.

Smith wasn’t the only addition to Oklahoma State women’s wrestling. Becca Roper was announced as the Cowgirl Wrestling Executive Director.

While not Division I yet, Oklahoma State took a page out of Lehigh’s book at hit the recruiting trail hard with their available resources. Not only do they seek out top women’s talent, but they enter in many tournaments on the freestyle circuit for more experience and to seek out the best competition nationwide and internationally.

Now with Smith in the mix, going to Stillwater to represent Oklahoma State on the women’s side looks like a good deal. Helps to have arguably the greatest American wrestler and coach in your corner.