STILLWATER- Oklahoma: Jimmy Kennedy and Thomas Gilman have officially joined the Oklahoma State wrestling coaching staff, announced by head coach David Taylor. Kennedy, who previously served as an assistant coach at Penn State, will take on the role of associate head coach, bringing a wealth of experience and success to the Cowboy program.
During Kennedy's three-year tenure at Penn State, the team achieved remarkable success, winning three consecutive NCAA team titles and maintaining a perfect 45-0 dual record. Kennedy played a pivotal role in guiding Penn State wrestlers to 11 NCAA individual championships and 22 All-America honors. In his final season, Penn State set an NCAA record by scoring 172.5 points at the national tournament, securing a 100-point margin of victory with four individual champions and eight All-Americans.
"Jimmy is a phenomenal coach with a passion for athlete development," said Taylor. "His energy and dedication to the sport make him a valuable addition to our coaching staff."
Prior to his time at Penn State, Kennedy worked as an assistant coach at Northwestern and had a successful wrestling career at Illinois, earning three All-American honors. He also excelled on the international stage, representing the United States at the World Championships in 2014.
Meanwhile, Thomas Gilman, who has achieved significant success in wrestling, will serve as an assistant coach for the Cowboys. Gilman's wrestling journey includes competing at the highest levels, both in college and on the world stage. His achievements at Iowa as a three-time All-American and his impressive freestyle wrestling career make him a valuable asset to the coaching staff.
"Thomas brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our program," Taylor remarked. "His dedication to the sport and his proven track record of success will greatly benefit our student-athletes."
Gilman's wrestling career began at Grant Community High School in Illinois, where he was a standout athlete before continuing his success at the collegiate level. His accomplishments include representing the United States at multiple World Championships and earning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Both Kennedy and Gilman are expected to play crucial roles in the continued success and development of the Oklahoma State wrestling program.