Distinguished Member Smith reflects on 25 years as coach
By Mike Finn
WIN Magazine
Editor’s Note: Oklahoma State head coach John Smith, who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997, has been part of the Cowboy program for much of his life; beginning when his brother Lee Roy, who is Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, earning All-American honors at OSU in 1977 to himself winning two NCAA championships (1986 and 1987), also going on to win a combined six World/Olympic championships. He then became OSU’s head coach in 1992. Now at age 51, Smith leads a program which has produced 31 champs and 117 All-Americans and is the preseason No. 1 team. Smith is trying to lead OSU to a sixth national title with him as a coach, the last was in 2006. Smith, who has also coached brothers, a nephew and son over the years in Stillwater, recently spoke to WIN Editor Mike Finn about his career.
WIN: You have spent 25 years at Oklahoma State, which ranks you high on the all-time coaching-longevity list. How do you feel after all these years?
SMITH: That’s a good question. I enjoy it as much as I ever have. As you get older and establish yourself, there is a level of confidence and security that comes with that. I’m not saying I don’t have to do a good job here. But when you reach a point where you’ve grinded through your career, you create an environment where you are on the other side and there are some good things that come with that.
WIN: Many people are surprised when they see you’ve coached so many years. To many, you are still that young wrestler who won NCAA, World and Olympic championships. Some people think of you as eternally young. Are you surprised how people react to your longevity?
SMITH: I was pretty young (26) when I started coaching here and got a head start on it. I didn’t plan on a career that long. But it has been a great thing for my family and myself and I’ve enjoyed 98 percent of it.
WIN: What word or phrase would you use in comparing yourself now to that first year?
SMITH: The biggest difference is that I feel seasoned and stronger mentally. I know what I want to try to accomplish and I’m not second-guessing myself. Whether it ends up good or bad, I don’t look back anymore. The wear-and-tear is not there anymore. This gives me the opportunity to give your wrestlers a lot of confidence in you.
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WIN Magazine
Editor’s Note: Oklahoma State head coach John Smith, who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997, has been part of the Cowboy program for much of his life; beginning when his brother Lee Roy, who is Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, earning All-American honors at OSU in 1977 to himself winning two NCAA championships (1986 and 1987), also going on to win a combined six World/Olympic championships. He then became OSU’s head coach in 1992. Now at age 51, Smith leads a program which has produced 31 champs and 117 All-Americans and is the preseason No. 1 team. Smith is trying to lead OSU to a sixth national title with him as a coach, the last was in 2006. Smith, who has also coached brothers, a nephew and son over the years in Stillwater, recently spoke to WIN Editor Mike Finn about his career.
WIN: You have spent 25 years at Oklahoma State, which ranks you high on the all-time coaching-longevity list. How do you feel after all these years?
SMITH: That’s a good question. I enjoy it as much as I ever have. As you get older and establish yourself, there is a level of confidence and security that comes with that. I’m not saying I don’t have to do a good job here. But when you reach a point where you’ve grinded through your career, you create an environment where you are on the other side and there are some good things that come with that.
WIN: Many people are surprised when they see you’ve coached so many years. To many, you are still that young wrestler who won NCAA, World and Olympic championships. Some people think of you as eternally young. Are you surprised how people react to your longevity?
SMITH: I was pretty young (26) when I started coaching here and got a head start on it. I didn’t plan on a career that long. But it has been a great thing for my family and myself and I’ve enjoyed 98 percent of it.
WIN: What word or phrase would you use in comparing yourself now to that first year?
SMITH: The biggest difference is that I feel seasoned and stronger mentally. I know what I want to try to accomplish and I’m not second-guessing myself. Whether it ends up good or bad, I don’t look back anymore. The wear-and-tear is not there anymore. This gives me the opportunity to give your wrestlers a lot of confidence in you.
Read Full Story
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