My coaches were always the most influential men in my life. Along with my Dad, they pushed me and helped mold me into a man.” Words of wrestling champion Jordan Burroughs, proving that he holds a special place for his mentors. However, a recent claim from the athlete has sparked debate over this sentiment. His message is clear: we need to shift the focus from fear and intimidation to building athletes through respect. What leads him to make this bold ask? Here’s the answer.
Despite the sting of back-to-back Olympic absences and that tough World Championship exit, Jordan Burroughs showed signs of a renewed spark. He recently joined fellow Olympic champion David Taylor at the Cowboy Regional Training Center. Praising Taylor’s coaching style, things seemed hopeful. Until Burroughs dropped a candid message that turned heads across the wrestling world. The veteran grappler called out unnamed coaches for their unfair treatment of athletes. Sharply contrasting that with the inclusive and empowering environment he experienced under Taylor’s leadership. The message?
Jordan Burroughs took to X with a pointed message for youth wrestling coaches, and he didn’t hold back. Drawing from his recent experience training at Oklahoma State, Burroughs called out what he sees as a toxic norm in youth sports: “If your youth wrestling coach is cursing at your athletes, you need to find a new room.” His words weren’t just criticism. They were backed by a powerful example. At Oklahoma State, one of the top programs in the nation, Burroughs observed elite athletes being coached at the highest level without a single outburst. “I didn’t hear a single curse word delivered by leadership during practice,” he noted, holding up Oklahoma State as a gold standard for leadership through respect.
If your youth wrestling coach is cursing at your athletes, you need to find a new room.
I just spent a few days at Oklahoma State, one of the most talented rooms in college wrestling. I didn’t hear a single curse word delivered by leadership during practice.
The best coaches…
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) May 29, 2025
That environment, shaped under the leadership of David Taylor, isn’t just about clean language. It’s about intense, focused competition. Taylor’s approach is built on the philosophy that every training session could determine a future title shot. The stakes are real, and so is the pressure. Yet, the culture he cultivates is grounded in control, not chaos. “The best coaches in the country coaching the best athletes in the country — with the most on the line,” Burroughs added, reinforcing how high performance doesn’t require hostility. A room stacked with top-tier talent and potential NCAA qualifiers like Teague Travis at 149. The Cowboys are auditioning for greatness, all while being guided by emotionally intelligent coaches.
But for Burroughs, this message goes beyond college wrestling. It’s about how we raise the next generation. “Now ask yourself, if the best coaches aren’t using that type of language with 20-year-olds, does it make sense to use it when addressing your 10-year-old sons and daughters?” he asked. Urging parents and coaches alike to reconsider their methods. Burroughs and Taylor have a long-shared history, from Olympic glory to on-mat rivalries. Burroughs in 2012, Taylor in 2020. Today, their mutual respect shines through.
David Taylor ushers in a new era with elite coaching talent
Nearly a year after Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Gilman made his coaching move to Stillwater, another heavyweight addition is reshaping the future of Oklahoma State wrestling. The Cowboys RTC recently announced on Instagram that former French national team member Zoheir El Ouarraqe has joined the squad. As their new developmental coach! “Congratulations coach Zo on being formally named Developmental Coach of the Cowboy RTC!” read the enthusiastic message on the team’s social media. Known for his technical brilliance and global wrestling insight, El Ouarraqe brings serious momentum to the RTC’s mission. To build the next wave of elite talent.
This latest move continues head coach David Taylor’s mission to overhaul both the collegiate and RTC programs. By attracting world-class minds and competitors. Alongside standout names like Zahid Valencia, El Ouarraqe’s arrival hints at a long-term strategy. One built on precision, passion, and potential. And it’s not a sudden shift either. Years ago, El Ouarraqe made his intentions clear when he said, “My goal is to have 10 Daton Fixes or 20 of them… I want to help make Oklahoma State great again.” That vision is beginning to materialize, and with Taylor at the helm, the Cowboys are positioning themselves as a legitimate rival to Penn State’s dominance.
Meanwhile, Jordan Burroughs is facing his own transitional moment. The wrestling icon, once the face of Team USA, has endured a tough stretch competitively and even joked about “transferring” to Jamaica. Moreover, in a light-hearted tweet that masked some very real uncertainties about his future. Moreover, as his wrestling path remains unclear, Burroughs’ voice continues to matter deeply in the sport. Especially now, as he underscores the values of respect and leadership, further echoing the standards Taylor is building in Stillwater.
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