Carter Starocci takes apparent shot at David Taylor after leaving for Oklahoma State job

Penn State’s four-time national champion Carter Starocci didn’t seem too pleased about Nittany Lions legend David Taylor leaving for Oklahoma State.

In the late hours of Monday night, the Olympic Gold Medalist accepted the Cowboys head coaching gig to take his first foray into the coaching world. Starocci, who announced he’ll be back for a fifth season, took it personal.

After previously suggesting Penn State should host an outdoor match next season, Starocci wants it against Taylor and Oklahoma State. That was the tame part of his tweet.

“I was offered a big pay day too,” Starocci wrote on Twitter. “I said go wipe your (expletive) with that money. When it comes to money people switch like the weather. Not me. Loyalty is everything. Nothing is built without trust. PSU vs OK State in the football stadium. The national champs 10 matches to 0.”

It was blockbuster news, considering Oklahoma State seemed intent on hiring Coleman Scott to replace the retired John Smith.

Starocci is 77-4 in his career, winning NCAA titles all four years as a starter. He had a fifth year due to the COVID-19 waiver and recently explained how much Penn State means to him.

“My journey here at Penn State has meant the world to me,” Starocci said. “When I stepped foot in the PSU wrestling room, I set a goal to dominate, and that’s what I have done for the past four years. Since being in Happy Valley, I have racked up 7 NCAA Championships – 3 team and 4 individual titles. Even though this is an individual sport, none of this would’ve been possible without the support of my teammates, coaches, staff and family.

“Each and every one of you has had a significant impact on me, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. God continues to bless me everyday and I will continue to follow the plan guided through the Holy Spirit.”

So was there beef between Starocci and Taylor? Taylor was a Nittany Lion lifer, become a two-time NCAA champion and four-time finalist while at Penn State.

Taylor also won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 at 86 KG. He’s also a three-time World Champion and won a Silver Medal at the 2021 World Championships.

Starocci and Taylor trained in the same room since the latter was a member of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, a senior-level regional training center. It’s regarded as the top room in the country.

Starocci and Taylor went 86 KG in pursuit of the Olympic Team, as did eventual Olympic Trials winner Aaron Brooks. Brooks also won his fourth NCAA title with Penn State this past March, exhausting his eligibility and will now pursue gold in Paris.

Brooks beat Taylor in the Trials finals, likely paving the way for this possibility. Starocci doesn’t seem to be a fan of Taylor at this very moment.

If Oklahoma State and Penn State are to wrestle next season, particularly in a grand event in Beaver Stadium like Starocci wants, Taylor might have to expect some animosity.