Littlefield: Kish’s Sooners building, add several high-level additions

Photo courtesy of OU Athletics.

Editor’s Note: This story appeared in WIN’s Volume 31 Issue 11, which printed on August 22, 2025. 

By Wes Littlefield

Despite producing historically dominant wrestlers like Mark and Dave Schultz, Andre Metzger, Melvin Douglas, and Dan Hodge (yes, the same Dan Hodge the coveted trophy awarded by WIN Magazine and Culture House each spring is named after), the Sooners are continuously overshadowed by their northern in-state rivals.

Head coach Roger Kish aims to shift the dark-horse narrative (Mascots Boomer and Sooner, the crème white Welsh Ponies sure appreciate that) in his third season leading the Sooners with a Top-10 recruiting class.

Kish landed six outstanding transfers, including Tyson Charmoli from Wyoming, 2024 NCAA Blood-Rounder Tyler Wells from Minnesota, 2025 NCAA Blood-Rounder Jack Gioffre from Virginia, 2024 NCAA fifth-place finisher Peyten Kellar from Ohio, Rafael Hipolito Jr. from Virginia Tech, and Brian Soldano from Rutgers, who among them have a combined nine NCAA Championship appearances. The Sooners also welcomed four highly sought after freshmen ranked among the Top 250 recruits in the nation.

Over the summer, I had the privilege of interviewing Kish about the Sooners’ recent pickups, his expectations for the 2025-2026 season, and what he looks for while recruiting wrestlers. He gave invaluable advice for high school wrestlers considering wrestling in college.

Kish understands the importance of relationships in wrestling and life. Wrestling is an individualistic sport. However, you need a team around you to push you to get better; the same is true in life.

Though I started the interview with a question about his favorite aspect of collegiate coaching, I felt it was more fitting to wrap up the article with his response, as it showcases what should be most important to coaches and wrestlers.

WIN: Despite several solid transfers, OU is considered a bit of a dark horse this season. How do you feel about that?

Kish: Wrestling is a unique sport with the traditional elite programs; everyone expects them to be at the top, no matter the year. Being a dark horse carries a certain weight, but we transform how we look at it. There are more opportunities for us to outperform and succeed when no one expects us to. We want to continue building up to those higher expectations this season and get the Sooners back to where they belong.

WIN: You landed several top transfers this summer. What was your approach to the transfer portal this offseason?

Kish: We examined the program’s needs for immediate impact. Guys who can come in and help us build. Then we looked at the young man’s character to determine if he fit the Sooner model.

Does he have a strong wrestling foundation? Is he willing to work hard in the wrestling room and classroom? Does he lead vocally and by his actions? Can he make a long-lasting impact on his teammates, the University and his community?

If they fit these criteria, we went after them. The transfers fit Oklahoma. They push their teammates and partners, wanting the team to succeed.

WIN: What’s your approach to integrating new transfers, freshmen, and returning wrestlers?

Kish: It’s easier to integrate traditional freshmen onto the team than transfers. We’re also trying to help the guys who have been here find a balance between understanding the coach’s decisions to bring in new wrestlers and contributing to the program’s success.

As coaches, we want to provide opportunities for the guys to meet up without our supervision and form friendships. We also focus on a lot of technique and development, whether one-on-one or through teamwork, and creating physically and mentally challenging times.

We’re glad to see that everyone is embracing each other and excited to be a Sooner.

WIN: For high schoolers interested in wrestling at the collegiate level, what would you recommend they do?

Kish: I like to see tough freshmen who have showcased their wrestling ability on the mats. Work ethic and desire to be successful are huge; college coaches can quickly tell the difference between the kids who truly want it and those who don’t. I want to see a kid who has room for development and is willing to put in the work to continue to get better.

WIN: What are you most excited about this upcoming season?

Kish: I’m ready to see how this group comes together, performs under fire, works together, and challenges each other.

WIN: What’s your favorite part of coaching at the college level?

Kish: It is two parts. Number one is the relationship-building aspect with athletes and families. I love getting to know the guys and their families. I’ve been asked to be in many weddings of former wrestlers, and it’s an honor every time. Wrestling is here for a short time, but relationships live on after athletes graduate. Number two is the development side. I enjoy developing young men into solidified men. It’s exciting when young wrestlers begin to understand all aspects of the sport, the physical and mental sides, and experience the “aha moment” when they piece everything together, and things start to click.