OSU Wrestling: John Smith Announces Retirement

The John Smith era of Cowboy Wrestling is over.

After 33 seasons of leading Cowboy Wrestling, John Smith announced his retirement Thursday afternoon. Smith took over Oklahoma State’s wrestling program in 1992 while still in the midst of his international career. He then led the Cowboys to five NCAA team titles and 23 conference championships while accumulating a program-best 490-73-6 career dual record. He guided 33 NCAA individual champions, 153 All-Americans, 132 individual conference champions and a pair of Hodge Trophy winners.

“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.”

At 58, Smith retired as the longest-tenured coach in Cowboy Wrestling history and third-longest in OSU history, behind only James Wadley (men’s tennis) and Henry Iba (men’s basketball). His final season included a 14-1 dual record, 10th-place finish at the NCAA tournament, runner-up finish at the Big 12 tournament and three All-Americans.

Before this past season began, Coleman Scott, who wrestled under Smith, left his head coaching position at North Carolina to become associate head coach for the Cowboys. Scott has been elevated to interim head coach after Smith’s retirement and, by Oklahoma State law, the job must be publicly posted and open for at least five days before a hire is made, even if it’s an internal hire. OSU announced Smith and athletic director Chad Weiberg will host a news conference Monday about Smith’s decision to retire, but that release did not state anything about Coleman or announcing a hire.

“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.”

Before his coaching career began, Smith won two individual NCAA titles, three individual conference championships and reached All-American status three times as a Cowboy. His 150 career wins is still the most in OSU history.

Smith then began his international career, cementing himself as one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and winning six straight world championships in 1987-92. He also coached on the international circuit, coaching Team USA at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2012.

Those accomplishments both as a competitor and coach has Smith in the FILA Hall of Fame, AAU Wrestling Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He was named one of the 100 Greatest Olympians of All-Time in 1996.

John Smith was a dynasty defined.