John Smith in the Words of Others
 
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State wrestling head coach John Smith will be honored at tonight’s Bedlam dual for his 25 years of service as the Cowboys’ head coach.
 
Smith has had an impact on so many throughout his wrestling and coaching career. Here are what some of his peers and former athletes have to say about him:
 
Former Cowboys:

Johny Hendricks, UFC fighter and former Welterweight Champion
“My thoughts on Coach Smith is that he will always be my coach and someone I will always look up to and want to impress every time I'm around him. Coach Smith is also someone who wants to pull the best out of you and make you believe in yourself.  When I think of a coach and what a coach should be, I always think about Coach Smith and tell people what he was to me and how he made me a better wrestler and person as well.”

Daniel Cormier, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
“Coach Smith has been a mentor, friend and a hero to me for as long as I can remember. Getting to wrestle for him was a dream come true. From the college room to the Olympics, Coach has always been there for me. Even to this day, before every fight I wait for the text or call I know I will receive. And when it comes, all of my preparation is done. So Coach Smith, congratulations on 25 years, you’re the greatest wrestler and coach I've ever known.”

Coleman Scott, North Carolina head coach & 2012 Olympic bronze medalist
I was very fortunate to learn from one of the best competitors and coaches in Coach Smith. There are many things that Coach does great. The way he lives his life, the way he runs his program, and the way he runs his program. Oklahoma State in one of the greatest programs and he has helped build on the legacy that was created through the years. He is a great leader and I greatly appreciate everything he has done as a person and Coach.”

Pat Popolizio, NC State head coach
“Coach Smith is an icon to the sport of wrestling. He has revolutionized both collegiate and international wrestling throughout his athletic and coaching career.  His name is synonymous with greatness at Oklahoma State. Coach Smith has had a major impact on my life, and motivated me as an athlete and still motivates me today as a coach.  His passion for the sport of wrestling is infectious, and he has inspired many of his former athletes to pursue coaching as a profession at all levels.”
 
Obe Blanc, NC State assistant coach
“John Smith is the toughest and most motivating coach I know and over the years I have come to learn that he is always willing to step up to the plate for his athletes when they need him the most. That in itself speaks for the kind of man and coach that he is. During this tenure at America's most prestigious program, he has helped shape and mentor many champions, coaches, and administrators who will continue to grow the sport of wrestling. His commitment to wrestling spreads to us all, and it was an honor to have known and learn from one of the greatest.”
 
Jamill Kelly, Stanford head coach & 2004 Olympic silver medalist
“Coach Smith helped revolutionize the sport of wrestling with his unique technique. He brought about a new style and attitude that the sport had not seen. I was fortunate enough to be able to learn first-hand as a student-athlete from Coach Smith, which allowed me to develop on and off the mat. Even though I didn't accomplish much in my collegiate career, Coach Smith still believed in me and helped push me to a level that I had never dreamed of. I would not have become an Olympian, a medalist, or achieved all that I have in the sport if it wasn't for Coach Smith and his guidance. He is still a mentor and someone I trust and love to this day for all he has done for me.” 
 
Kevin Ward, Army West Point head coach 
“The older I get and the more experience I gain as a coach, the more I can appreciate the time I spent being coached by John.  He was a tough coach that held everyone around him to a high standard in pursuit of excellence on the mat.  Without question, I would not be where I am today if I wasn’t for Coach Smith.  I consider myself fortunate to be able to call him my coach.”
 
Chris Chionuma, Army West Point assistant coach
“What I appreciate the most about Coach Smith is how he has followed me through my coaching career. He has called me on many occasions to check on me and give me guidance on how to be a better and more effective coach.”
 

Other coaches around the country:

J. Robinson, Minnesota head coach & OSU alum
"When you talk about wrestling, there are some people that are synonymous with the sport and I think John Smith is one of them. Not only is he a two-time Olympic champion, but he won every championship in between. That’s an unbelievable feat to accomplish. Then, to follow it up by getting the chance to be at your alma mater and bring together what he has, having a string of four NCAA titles in a row, all those things are pretty special. In the end, he’s going to be defined not only as a wrestler, but he’ll also be defined with what he’s done as a coach. I think that speaks volumes about who John is. Not only could he do it himself, but he was able to bring that same kind of intensity, that same kind of competitiveness to his teams that, over the course of time, have proven he’s one of the best there is."

Kevin Jackson, Iowa State head coach
“When you look at the history books about wrestling, John Smith is definitely going to be in there as an athlete and a coach. The things he’s done as an athlete and the things he’s done as a coach are second to none. He won six World Championships and coached five NCAA team titles. He’s going to be pretty high on the list as one of the best coaches and athletes of all time. I’m proud to say that he was a teammate, a fellow Olympian and a friend of mine.”

Mark Cody, Oklahoma head coach
“He means a lot to the sport of wrestling. He’s obviously a household name in our sport. Just as far as what he’s accomplished, I think he will go down in our country as the greatest wrestler ever to compete in the United States. (Winning) six World Championships in a row, that’s unprecedented, and I think it would be pretty tough for somebody to break that record. As a coach at Oklahoma State, I got to see firsthand his dedication to the sport. For him, there is never any downtime. He’s a year-round guy. Every day I was in the room I learned something. There wasn’t day that I went by that I didn’t learn something, particularly on the technical side of wrestling. He had an answer for every situation.”

Brian Smith, Missouri head coach
“I remember the first wildcard meeting I attended. We weren’t very good and had not had a great Big 12 tournament, failing to qualify anybody. The first thing Coach John Smith said was ‘Mizzou needs to be represented at the NCAA tournament. They have a couple guys and we need to pick one and have them go to the NCAA tournament. That’s important to not only Mizzou, but the Big 12. We have to make our conference stronger.’ By doing that, he helped our program. By him stepping up, and thinking more about the sport and the conference than himself and his program, he helped grow the sport. I’m indebted to him forever for that and he’s helped me in so many ways. At times, he’d just see where our program was at and help us out. Of course when he steps on the mat, he gives me that glare and I know it’s competition time. But, it’s great that when he’s off the mat, we can talk about our kids and our family. I didn’t know how it was going to be as a young coach in the Big 12, but he was one of the first to do something like that and help me so I’m indebted to him forever.”

Sammie Henson, West Virginia head coach
“I’ve had the privilege of being around John Smith as both a competitor and coach. His impact on the sport of wrestling as a competitor revolutionized our sport on the international and national levels. Watching him train and picking his brain influenced my wrestling and coaching careers. His insight before my 1998 World Championship run gave me the knowledge I needed to get the gold in Iran. He is without a doubt the greatest American wrestler in the history of our sport.”