Cael Sanderson Profile - Men's Health

[WideWorld]

Coach Cael Sanderson Wants Effort Not Ego. That Radical Clarity Is Building Sustained Dominance at Penn State.

He never lost a college match, won an Olympic gold medal, and as a college coach has built the most dominant program in NCAA wrestling—and maybe college—history. He’s not done yet.

www.menshealth.com

 

[Pointingdogsrule]

Great read!
I love: “My job is to help take that pressure off, not pile more on.”

 

[Dogwelder]

Great read!
I love: “My job is to help take that pressure off, not pile more on.”

What about Tom Brands. What is his job?

 

[Dogwelder]

“I remember Coach Sanderson saying something that has stuck with me,” he recalled. “He said: ‘What a shame it would be if all we got from a wrestling match was a result.’”

 

[GregPickel]

Great read. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

“I remember Coach Sanderson saying something that has stuck with me,” he recalled. “He said: ‘What a shame it would be if all we got from a wrestling match was a result.’”

What more can be said about the man? More of my love for Penn State wrestling comes from the fact that this is where Coach Sanderson leads a team as opposed to being a fan of the university.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

That was a great article. Cael: “There are young wrestlers who, if you gave them the choice between being popular on Instagram or winning a national title, they’d pick Instagram,” he says with a shrug." Ouch!!

I also loved this:

Cael’s Coaching Code​

The core tenets behind the most dominant dynasty in college wrestling.

Focus on Effort, Not Outcome​

“Winning and losing doesn’t define you. How you compete does.” Sanderson learned from his father that effort — not results — is what builds character and consistency.

Compete Without ‘Inhaling’​

Whether it’s junk food, toxic media, or praise from fans — his athletes are taught to filter what they take in. “What you feed your body and your mind matters.”

Pressure Is a Privilege​

Sanderson doesn’t shield athletes from pressure — he prepares them for it. “If there wasn’t a lot at stake, why would we even do this?”

Lead Without Ego​

Cael rarely raises his voice. He doesn’t chase the spotlight. Instead, he leads with calm, humility, and faith. “You either choose to be humble, or you’re compelled to be.”

Wrestle with Purpose​

The goal isn’t just to win — it’s to grow. “What makes you great on the mat — discipline, selflessness, consistency — makes you better in life.”

No Shortcuts​

Every inch is earned. “You can take shortcuts and be good. But if you want to be the best, there’s no room for that here.”

Keep Perspective​

Win or lose, life keeps going. “Sometimes not winning is the greater blessing. You just don’t see it yet.”

 

[Dogwelder]

… Cael rarely raises his voice. He doesn’t chase the spotlight. Instead, he leads with calm, humility, and faith. “You either choose to be humble, or you’re compelled to be.” …

By the way, I am super humble. For privacy reasons, I will not disclose whether I chose to be, or whether I was compelled to be.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

By the way, I am super humble. For privacy reasons, I will not disclose whether I chose to be, or whether I was compelled to be.

 

[Onetime1]

Written by a State College High School graduate!

 

[NittanyLion84]

That was a great article. Cael: “There are young wrestlers who, if you gave them the choice between being popular on Instagram or winning a national title, they’d pick Instagram,” he says with a shrug." Ouch!!

I also loved this:

Cael’s Coaching Code​

The core tenets behind the most dominant dynasty in college wrestling.

Focus on Effort, Not Outcome​

“Winning and losing doesn’t define you. How you compete does.” Sanderson learned from his father that effort — not results — is what builds character and consistency.

Compete Without ‘Inhaling’​

Whether it’s junk food, toxic media, or praise from fans — his athletes are taught to filter what they take in. “What you feed your body and your mind matters.”

Pressure Is a Privilege​

Sanderson doesn’t shield athletes from pressure — he prepares them for it. “If there wasn’t a lot at stake, why would we even do this?”

Lead Without Ego​

Cael rarely raises his voice. He doesn’t chase the spotlight. Instead, he leads with calm, humility, and faith. “You either choose to be humble, or you’re compelled to be.”

Wrestle with Purpose​

The goal isn’t just to win — it’s to grow. “What makes you great on the mat — discipline, selflessness, consistency — makes you better in life.”

No Shortcuts​

Every inch is earned. “You can take shortcuts and be good. But if you want to be the best, there’s no room for that here.”

Keep Perspective​

Win or lose, life keeps going. “Sometimes not winning is the greater blessing. You just don’t see it yet.”

I also loved this quote:

As a head coach, he sees his role as being steady in the storm amid all the pressures young athletes feel. “My job is to help take that pressure off, not pile more on.”

 

[Sportfan2017]

Such a positive and revealing interview. There are so many quotes that are so revealing and profound. My favorite was: "What a shame it would be if all we got from a wrestling match was a result.’” How can anyone not respect and appreciate Cael's perspective on wrestling and life. He will always be a hero of mine and many others.....mostly anyone who has him as a coach or friend.

 

[AgSurfer]

An interesting point about the interview is also what he didn’t say. When the topic came up about David Taylor, he didn’t say anything directly about Taylor. It makes me wonder if there were some strained relations when Taylor left to take the Ok State job.

 

[Hlstone]

An interesting point about the interview is also what he didn’t say. When the topic came up about David Taylor, he didn’t say anything directly about Taylor. It makes me wonder if there were some strained relations when Taylor left to take the Ok State job.

Of course there were strained relations. Taylor tried to poach Cael's staff and wrestlers.

 

[vhsalum1]

An interesting point about the interview is also what he didn’t say. When the topic came up about David Taylor, he didn’t say anything directly about Taylor. It makes me wonder if there were some strained relations when Taylor left to take the Ok State job.

yes

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

Of course there were strained relations. Taylor tried to poach Cael's staff and wrestlers.

tHaT’s HiS jOb

Well, sure, that his job. Doesn’t mean Cael has to be hunky-dory with it.

I remain surprised that some people are confused by Cael’s reaction. If I’m Cael, I want to crush that jug-eared ************

Postscript - I think it was uber-insider Brantt who mentioned that DT’s abrupt departure kind of screwed up some things he and Dake had going on. This may be one of the reasons Dake didn’t follow him (along with being in shitville Oklahoma rather than an easy drive from the Fingerlakes).

I apologize in advance for hurting feelings

 

[dicemen99]

tHaT’s HiS jOb

Well, sure, that his job. Doesn’t mean Cael has to be hunky-dory with it.

I remain surprised that some people are confused by Cael’s reaction. If I’m Cael, I want to crush that jug-eared ************

Postscript - I think it was uber-insider Brantt who mentioned that DT’s abrupt departure kind of screwed up some things he and Dake had going on. This may be one of the reasons Dake didn’t follow him (along with being in shitville Oklahoma rather than an easy drive from the Fingerlakes).

I apologize in advance for hurting feelings

Agreed. People who say "that's his job," seem to forget that that's Cael job also. They are in direct competition now. Anyone Taylor tries to poach or recruit away from Cael directly affects PSU goals.

It's fine to be respectful - and Cael and staff have. They can understand it, but don't expect them to be okay with it. They are not going to say - "let's be okay with DT trying to take our guys and staff, because he is one of our guys and we should understand that he's trying to win." What kind of BS is that. He's trying to take guys and it's not like DT is asking "Cael, is it okay if I do this or do that." DT is just saying - "F it. I've got to do what I've got to do to win." And Cael & Co. are saying, "Well, F you, dude, if you want to play that way, game on."

Of course, this being Cael and DT, there are way less F-bombs and F-u's in there. The above is more like the languaged used if me and Chickenman/Nicky Scarfo were suddenly in competition.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Of course there were strained relations. Taylor tried to poach Cael's staff and wrestlers.

Without asking for permission. David should have approached Cael and said I am taking the Oklahoma St job and I am planning on taking my BIL and if it is OK with you I would like to see if Thomas would be interested. He just assumed Cael would assume Jimmy was gone too and failed to provide the professional courtesy of asking to talk to Thomas.
To make it worse, he openly recruited a few wrestlers while standing in Lorenzo.
Yep, there were a few hard feelings.

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

Agreed. People who say "that's his job," seem to forget that that's Cael job also. They are in direct competition now. Anyone Taylor tries to poach or recruit away from Cael directly affects PSU goals.

It's fine to be respectful - and Cael and staff have. They can understand it, but don't expect them to be okay with it. They are not going to say - "let's be okay with DT trying to take our guys and staff, because he is one of our guys and we should understand that he's trying to win." What kind of BS is that. He's trying to take guys and it's not like DT is asking "Cael, is it okay if I do this or do that." DT is just saying - "F it. I've got to do what I've got to do to win." And Cael & Co. are saying, "Well, F you, dude, if you want to play that way, game on."

Of course, this being Cael and DT, there are way less F-bombs and F-u's in there. The above is more like the languaged used if me and Chickenman/Nicky Scarfo were suddenly in competition.

Haha! I am nothing if not bellicose and unprofessional

 

[Nitlion1986]

Imagine, Cael is interviewed and failed to whine about Tom Ryan and the Buckeyes. Cael's way of doing things is never going to be how Tom would have handled it.

 

[Corby2]

So much more happened behind the scenes. I dont see Cael scheduling Oklahoma st anytime soon.

 

[Nitlion1986]

So much more happened behind the scenes. I dont see Cael scheduling Oklahoma st anytime soon.

Right now there is a better chance Cael calls up Rob Koll and asks if he wants to schedule an annual home and away between UNC and PSU.

 

[m.knox]

Coach Cael Sanderson Wants Effort Not Ego. That Radical Clarity Is Building Sustained Dominance at Penn State.

He never lost a college match, won an Olympic gold medal, and as a college coach has built the most dominant program in NCAA wrestling—and maybe college—history. He’s not done yet.

www.menshealth.com

Thanks for posting. Read it this morning and wanted to share it myself, but got caught up.

Aside from getting the best athletes, I've always had a curiosity of how great coaches motivate their team. Great read. I suspect Cignetti might give a similar interview.

Wrestling is one of the hardest and most demanding sports out there. To see kids having fun doing it should make us all curious.

 

[Dogwelder]

Without asking for permission. David should have approached Cael and said I am taking the Oklahoma St job and I am planning on taking my BIL and if it is OK with you I would like to see if Thomas would be interested. …

Permission might be some kind of old school way of describing it. But really Cael is not allowed to say no. If Cael says no, then what is David supposed to say if Thomas tells David that Thomas wants to go to OSU? If David tells Thomas no, then he would be a bad friend.

So, the best that David can do and still be honest is not to ask for permission, but to give Cael notification.

 

[Bernard Shakey]

​

Compete Without ‘Inhaling’​

Whether it’s junk food, toxic media, or praise from fans — his athletes are taught to filter what they take in. “What you feed your body and your mind matters.”

​

Not what I needed as I eat a KitKat on my lunch break.

 

[Lyons212]

Messenbrink said it best, “…we do ordinary things extraordinarily well”. The key to anything is mastering fundamental skills.

 

[manatree]

Not what I needed as I eat a KitKat on my lunch break.

In your defense, how does one compete with a Kit-Kat?

 

[tullfan68]

What about Tom Brands. What is his job?

to get as many wrestlers as possible injured before March! LOL

 

[tullfan68]

Cael's job is not talking about other coaches or wrestlers but about his own team!

 

[AgSurfer]

Permission might be some kind of old school way of describing it. But really Cael is not allowed to say no. If Cael says no, then what is David supposed to say if Thomas tells David that Thomas wants to go to OSU? If David tells Thomas no, then he would be a bad friend.

So, the best that David can do and still be honest is not to ask for permission, but to give Cael notification.

If Taylor was attempting to persuade Penn State wrestlers to change schools AFTER he had signed his contract with Ok State, that would have been a big NCAA violation.

 

[WV lion]

If Taylor was attempting to persuade Penn State wrestlers to change schools AFTER he had signed his contract with Ok State, that would have been a big NCAA violation.

Ncaa is a joke. See iowa's illegal recruiting other wrestlers machine.

 

[J.E.B]

Cael’s empire is not reachable right now. It may never be. Taylor can do what he wants but he won’t and can’t replicate Cael.

 

[Nitlion1986]

If Taylor was attempting to persuade Penn State wrestlers to change schools AFTER he had signed his contract with Ok State, that would have been a big NCAA violation.

Pretty sure contracts weren't signed until after David left town

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

Cael’s empire is not reachable right now. It may never be. Taylor can do what he wants but he won’t and can’t replicate Cael.

I’ve become less of a DT fan as time goes on. I do recall though when the rumors started circulating that he was considering the job I hoped for it to be true. It’s a shot in the arm to wrestling that someone like the OSU alumni could never replicate in Stillwater. Of course now I hope we stomp them out any chance we can and I do enjoy seeing the likes of Iowa beat them as well.

 

[Dogwelder]

> Compete without inhaling
Not what I needed as I eat a KitKat on my lunch break.

The nuns always knew you had trouble with inhaling food …

 

[Sandy2176]

Messenbrink said it best, “…we do ordinary things extraordinarily well”. The key to anything is mastering fundamental skills.

Great read, every coach and athlete should read and apply.