John Smith
Episode 131
2 AUG 2021
His name is synonymous with wrestling success. He 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. Additionally, he owns five national championships as head coach of Oklahoma State’s men’s wrestling program, a role that he has held for 30 years. During that time, he has coached 33 NCAA individual champions and five Olympians. He was recognized as the National Wrestling Coaches Association coach of the year in 1994 and 2003 and is a 15-time selection as his conference’s coach of the year. Most recently, he led his squad to its ninth consecutive Big 12 tournament title, with three of his student-athletes claiming individual Big 12 Conference titles in 2021. He has an .863 winning percentage for his career dual match record as a head coach.
Notable guest quotes:
“We were very strong in our faith, not just on Sundays but several days a week we’d say the rosary as a family.”
“For me (his oldest brother) was always really a great role model, not just athletically but spiritually as well. Just led by his faith.”
“It’s amazing that all ten of us really have still a strong Catholic presence in our life. And that just tells you about how parents are. That they’re really the leader of the family.”
“I kept my priorities straight. I loved wrestling. I loved trying to be the best wrestler in the world pound for pound. I loved chasing world championships. I loved preparing for Olympic gold medals. But I also always recognized that there’s another purpose that’s much bigger than this and that’s my faith and the salvation.”
“We’re really on fire for Jesus in Stillwater Oklahoma.”
“The one thing I’ve learned about coaching in NCAA is, be prepared for changes… And what doesn’t change is your faith and your values.”
“Building your character, building your faith, seems a lot more important today than it did in the past.”
“You don’t want to see your student-athletes negotiate with their faith.”
“We did get a chance a couple years ago. We took our team to Italy… We got to spend two full days at the Vatican, which, I’d been to the Vatican several times.”
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