Oklahoma State University Athletics
Taylor Wins Big 12 Coach of the Year
March 19, 2026 | Cowboy Wrestling
Forrest, Facundo Garner Honors
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach David Taylor was named Big 12 Coach of the Year, while Jax Forrest and Alex Facundo earned Freshman and Newcomer of the Year honors, respectively, the conference announced Thursday.
The honor marks the first time since 2016 that the Cowboys' head coach has won the award. Taylor, in his first two seasons at the helm of the Cowboys, has tallied a 28-2 record, and his wrestlers have won nearly 80% of their matches. In the postseason, Taylor has coached the Cowboys to third place at the NCAA Championships, two individual NCAA Champions, a pair of Big 12 titles and five individual Big 12 Champions. Taylor joins Cael Sanderson as the only coaches in Big 12 history to win the league in each of their first two seasons.
After joining the team at the beginning of the second semester, 133-pounder Jax Forrest earned the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award after claiming a Big 12 title and Most Outstanding Wrestler honors. Forrest entered the NCAA Tournament a perfect 13-0, collecting bonus points in 12 of his wins. Despite being added to the team later in the season, Forrest leads the team in bonus-point and technical fall wins (9).
At the NCAA Championships this weekend, Forrest aims to become the first freshman since 1947 to complete a perfect season. Other true freshman, Sergio Vega (141), also has the chance to accomplish this feat.
174-pounder Alex Facundo earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors after his 16-6 season and second-place finish at the Big 12 Championships. After starting the season 1-3, Facundo has now won 15 of his last 18 contests ahead of the NCAA tournament, collecting eight ranked wins in the process.
The honor marks the first time since 2016 that the Cowboys' head coach has won the award. Taylor, in his first two seasons at the helm of the Cowboys, has tallied a 28-2 record, and his wrestlers have won nearly 80% of their matches. In the postseason, Taylor has coached the Cowboys to third place at the NCAA Championships, two individual NCAA Champions, a pair of Big 12 titles and five individual Big 12 Champions. Taylor joins Cael Sanderson as the only coaches in Big 12 history to win the league in each of their first two seasons.
After joining the team at the beginning of the second semester, 133-pounder Jax Forrest earned the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award after claiming a Big 12 title and Most Outstanding Wrestler honors. Forrest entered the NCAA Tournament a perfect 13-0, collecting bonus points in 12 of his wins. Despite being added to the team later in the season, Forrest leads the team in bonus-point and technical fall wins (9).
At the NCAA Championships this weekend, Forrest aims to become the first freshman since 1947 to complete a perfect season. Other true freshman, Sergio Vega (141), also has the chance to accomplish this feat.
174-pounder Alex Facundo earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors after his 16-6 season and second-place finish at the Big 12 Championships. After starting the season 1-3, Facundo has now won 15 of his last 18 contests ahead of the NCAA tournament, collecting eight ranked wins in the process.
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