Legendary Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith announces retirement

Oklahoma State wrestling head coach John Smith announced his retirement, according to the program’s release Thursday.

After compiling arguably the greatest American wrestling career as an athlete, Smith took to the sidelines and guided the history Cowboys wrestling program. Previously the all-time winningest coach among actives, coaching many national champions and All-Americans, Smith established himself as one of the greatest coaches in the sport.

Coleman Scott will serve as the interim head coach for Oklahoma State.

Smith released a statement after making the decision.

“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 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.

Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg gave his farewell to Smith, a university legend.

“Coach Smith is a hero and truly the greatest of all time,” 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.”

There are almost too many names to name when it comes to who’s wrestled under Smith in the Cowboy orange.

“Some of Smith’s most prominent pupils include Olympic medalists Coleman Scott and Jamill Kelly, Hodge Trophy winners Steve Mocco and Alex Dieringer, other multiple-time NCAA champions Pat Smith, Mark Branch, Eric Guerrero, Johnny Thompson, Jake Rosholt, Chris Pendleton, Johny Hendricks, Jordan Oliver, Chris Perry and Dean Heil, as well as five-time All-American Daton Fix and four-time All-Americans Branch, Dieringer, Guerrero, Hendricks, Tyrone Lewis, Oliver, Rosholt, Scott, Smith and Thompson,” the release read.

Prior to his coaching career, Smith won six consecutive world championships as a competitor from 1987-92, including gold medals at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

He also won two gold medals at the Pan American Games, two gold medals in two attempts at the Goodwill Games and two NCAA individual championships for Oklahoma State.