Oklahoma State University Athletics
Smith Earns Top Big 12 Honor
March 29, 2010 | Cowboy Wrestling
March 29, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. - After leading the Oklahoma State wrestling team to its ninth Big 12 championship, coach John Smith was recognized as the 2010 Big 12 coach of the year in a vote of the conference coaches, it was announced today. It is the eighth time Smith has won the award.
Prior to the formation of the Big 12 in 1996-97, Smith was recognized as the Big Eight coach of the year in 1994 and 1996.
"I'm not sure I deserved it this year, but our team did give reason for hope during the season," Smith said. "They improved and any credit should go to the group."
In addition to winning the conference title, the Cowboys finished with a 15-2-1- dual match record that included a 7-2-1 mark against teams ranked in the top 25. OSU took sixth at the NCAA Championships on the strength of All-Americans Jordan Oliver, Clayton Foster, Alan Gelogaev and Jared Rosholt.
The Cowboys' Big 12 championship came as a surprise to some observers, as the Pokes entered the event as underdogs to reigning champion Iowa State. The Cowboys came out on top, however, thanks in part to the efforts of Oliver, Jamal Parks and Foster, all of whom won Big 12 individual championships. Foster's title was particularly impressive, as he toppled eventual NCAA champion Max Askren of Missouri in the championship bout that all but sealed the team title for the Cowboys.
Smith is the winningest coach in Oklahoma State's storied history. He leads all active coaches with five NCAA team titles and 23 individual national champions. Since taking over at his alma mater in 1991-92, Smith has coached 89 Cowboys to All-America honors. That total leads all Big 12 coaches and is second among active coaches.
Big 12 Coach of the Year Honorees
1997 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
1998 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
1999 - Jack Spates, Oklahoma and Bobby Douglas, Iowa State
2000 - Bobby Douglas, Iowa State
2001 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
2002 - Jack Spates, Oklahoma
2003 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
2004 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
2005 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
2006 - John Smith, Oklahoma State and Jack Spates, Oklahoma
2007 - Cael Sanderson, Iowa State
2008 - Mark Manning, Nebraska
2009 - Mark Manning, Nebraska
2010 - John Smith, Oklahoma State
