Gable Steveson has seen dominance up close, and he knows what it takes to build a dynasty. But even he is in awe of what Cael Sanderson has done at Penn State. As the Nittany Lions gear up for another NCAA Wrestling Championship, the Olympic gold medalist couldn’t help but marvel at their sustained excellence. Comparing Sanderson’s reign to legendary coaches like Nick Saban and Coach K, Steveson credited him for turning Penn State into an unstoppable force on the mat.
Cael Sanderson’s 159-0 record? That’s a level of perfection no one has touched—not before, not since. Even Gable Steveson, with his impressive 67-2 record, can’t match that, but his impact? It’s bigger than just stats. Gable Steveson has witnessed greatness firsthand, but even he finds Penn State’s wrestling dominance hard to wrap his head around. On the eve of the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, the Olympic gold medalist couldn’t help but praise head coach Cael Sanderson for turning the program into a juggernaut.
The wrestling community continues to be in awe of Sanderson’s impact. Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist, recently remarked as per Sports Illustrated, “What Cael has done for the program is mind-boggling,” Steveson admitted, recognizing the sheer magnitude of Sanderson’s influence. The Nittany Lions coach has been honored with awards like National Rookie Coach of the Year, Big 12 Coach of the Year, and National Coach of the Year, Cael has shown the world what a coach can do.
“To be fair, I should have been more clear with wording. Gable’s level of dominance is on par with Sanderson from his sophomore year on (Sanderson redshirted while Gable did not),” former collegiate standout wrestler Adam Tirapelle posted on X. Amidst these comparisons, wrestling champion Steveson has appreciated coach Cael Sanderson and gave all credit to Sanderson for Penn State dominance.
To Steveson, Penn State’s reign isn’t just impressive—it’s historic. “Seeing a coach bring a group of guys together and dominate a collegiate sport is just crazy,” he said, likening the powerhouse like Alabama football or Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski] at Duke in basketball. With another record-breaking year possibly on the horizon, Steveson believes the Nittany Lions aren’t slowing down anytime soon. “I think they’re looking to break the team point record again this year, which is going to be a crazy thing. If they can keep doing that, that’s a cool thing.” Under head coach Cael Sanderson, how will Penn State thrive further?
The blueprint of Penn State’s success
Guided by Cael Sanderson’s leadership, the wrestling program at Penn State University is steadily approaching yet another historic moment. On the occasion of 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships are taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Notably, Carter Starocci is aiming for a record-breaking fifth individual national championship. This weekend, Sanderson stands on the brink of securing his 12th NCAA team title as a coach, further cementing his legacy.
Since taking the helm in 2009, he has transformed Penn State into a wrestling powerhouse, with the team seeking its fourth consecutive national title this year. Penn State wrestling isn’t just chasing another title—it’s aiming for something even bigger. With all ten starters qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships, the energy in the room is electric.
So, what’s the ultimate goal? Breaking the team scoring record again? Ten All-Americans? Maybe even ten individual champions? While the possibilities are thrilling, whatever the outcome, be it for its enviable roster, a phenomenal coach, or a little bit of both, the Nittany Lions have time and again proved themselves to be the gold standard of college wrestling.
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