“Now walking in here thinking about the preparation side. I don’t know, it feels like almost a complete journey a little bit,” said Lee Roper while stepping into a completely new path of his wrestling journey. But where exactly? With David Taylor’s RTC abruptly parting ways with Thomas Gilman—former developmental coach for the Cowboys—the whispers circled over concerns of the end of an era. But just as the dust started settling, a new chapter cracked open for Oklahoma State with a new coaching mind joining in. Well known for his sharp instincts and fearless ambition, Roper’s entrance didn’t just fill a vacancy but started a completely new vibe in the locker room! Talk about something motivational and inspiring.
And Roper did exactly the same. The former UNI coach opened up about his emotions after joining Taylor’s squad. “You come in the room, and man, just first off, just looking around and seeing some of the names in here, what an honor to be a part of this, and just really looking forward to figuring out how you contribute more,” Roper expressed in a video posted by the Cowboy RTC officials on Instagram. And the caption? “First Impressions from Coach Roper in his new role at the Cowboy RTC.” And Roper’s word indeed left quite a good impression in the locker room filled with young athletes competing and preparing hard!
Well, let’s be honest. Oklahoma State has made a statement in their recruitment with Roper. Now, being the executive director and a senior-level coach for the Cowboys, Roper has the best of technical precision and an athlete-first approach with his decade-long track record of shaping contenders into champions! Even at the University of Northern Iowa, he has been the constant driving force behind the university wrestling program’s elevation at the national level. And now, being a part of Magic Man’s ambitious vision, he’s here to offer the same. “I’m just excited to be part of it, to contribute more, and to help push everything in the right direction,” he stated further.
All thanks to UNI head coach Doug Schwab, who publicly acknowledged the impact Roper had on their program and emphasized how his detail-oriented coaching style and mentorship shaped some of the school’s finest athletes. Perhaps it’s the same lens that now turns towards Stillwater, where the Cowboys get their culture-builder alongside Roper’s presence, which signifies an evolution for the Cowboy RTC as a powerhouse in the national wrestling landscape. But how?
David Taylor sees a fruitful future for the Cowboys alongside the new hire!
While Taylor had already proved his worth during the first season at the helm of Oklahoma State wrestling, now it’s time to take things to the next level. It is true that the magic man trained his Cowboys to boast a 13–1 dual meet record and clinch the Big 12 Championship with 153.5 points and secure a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships with his undeniable impact, but hey, in pursuit of even greater excellence, you need a trusted team to take things further. And, perhaps an old friend like Roper could do the needful!
“So, Lee and I go way back. Actually, the very first camp I did my freshman year in college was with Lee down in Georgia, and we’ve been in contact ever since, and you know, Lee is just a very great technical mind for wrestling, a very calming presence, and we’re really excited to have him as part of our team,” Taylor confessed after Roper’s heartfelt words for the same. Now this shows that their relationship isn’t just built on convenience but on mutual respect. Perhaps it’s the one like a time-tested trust! And with Taylor calling him a “very great technical mind,” it highlights the qualities of the new coach that blend seamlessly into the Cowboy ethos, offering the perfect fit!
But of course. This isn’t about a reunion or a meetup, right? It’s more of a strategic alignment that Oklahoma State needs with specific goals to achieve the ultimate success. “So, our goal is to surround you guys with the best people, at least the best kind of people, so we’re excited. I know he’s going to kind of walk around and get to know you guys and starting to build relationships and obviously start to integrate them into what we’re doing as we continue to move forward. So, just give Lee a hand.” It looks like Taylor has already set many for his Cowboys. Isn’t it?
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