OSU Wrestling Coach John Smith To Coach In Olympics

Oklahoma State wrestling head coach John Smith has been approved as a volunteer Olympic coach for men's freestyle wrestling at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Smith will serve with National Freestyle coach Zeke Jones of Colorado Springs, and two other volunteer assistant coaches, Lou Rosselli and Mark Manning. The selections of Smith, Rosselli, and Manning are pending final approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer.

Smith has coached in the Olympics before, serving as co-head coach for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Smith is also the personal head coach of U.S. Olympian Coleman Scott, who will be competing in the 60 kg division in London.

"As an athlete, he has been-there, done-that numerous times," Zeke Jones said. "He has been a World Team coach through the four-year cycle. That is a big plus; he knows the competition and our athletes. You couldn't get a better staff. We get along great, know each other and understand each other. We know what it takes to get these guys ready."

Smith himself was a prolific wrestler on the international stage, winning gold medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Smith is widely regarded as the best freestyle wrestler in U.S. history.

As the head coach at OSU, Smith has led the Cowboys to five NCAA team national championships and over 300 victories. He is the winningest coach in OSU history.