Columbia News

Brian Smith, head coach of the University of Missouri wrestling team, has announced the addition of Keegan O'Toole as an assistant coach. The announcement was made on Monday, May 12. O'Toole, who recently completed his collegiate wrestling career at Missouri, will take on his first full-time coaching position with the Tigers.

"Keegan is an exceptional individual with a deep passion for wrestling and coaching," said Smith. "His dedication to Tiger Style and commitment to training for the Olympics will be incredibly inspiring for the wrestlers around him. Having someone with such a high wrestling IQ and loyalty on our staff will surely be a huge asset."

O'Toole expressed appreciation for joining the coaching staff: "I am so thankful for this opportunity to be able to give back to the program that gave me so much," he said. "I can't wait to be in these guys' corners pushing them to be great wrestlers, but even more important, great people. Tiger Style is a lifestyle, and I want to help young men embody that."

During his time as a student-athlete at Missouri, O'Toole became the program's first five-time All-American and third two-time NCAA Champion. He won national titles in 2022 and 2023 at 165 pounds and earned four conference championships—one in the Mid-American Conference and three in the Big 12.

Over five seasons with Missouri, O'Toole recorded 108 wins, ranking him 19th all-time at Mizzou. He achieved at least 20 wins in four seasons out of five. His career win percentage (.955) is second highest in program history, surpassing Ben Askren’s record. Additionally, he holds the school record for technical falls with 22.

O'Toole’s accolades include being named Big 12 Wrestler of the Year in 2022 and receiving the Amateur Wrestling News Hammer Award after winning his first national title. At the 2024 NCAA Championships, he earned the Gorriaran Award by recording three pins in under thirteen minutes. He has also been recognized six times with weekly honors such as USA Wrestling's Athlete of the Week.

Internationally, O'Toole has represented Team USA successfully by winning age-level world titles: U20 Freestyle (74kg) in Russia (2021) and U23 Freestyle (74kg) in Albania (2023). He plans to continue training out of Columbia with aspirations for future Senior World Championships and aims for a spot at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Academically, O'Toole was named NWCA Scholar All-American five times from 2021 through 2025 and was selected Academic All-Big 12 three times between 2022-2024. He also received College Sports Communicator Academic All-American honors twice.

Originally from Hartland, Wisconsin, O'Toole won four state titles while competing for Arrowhead High School—becoming only the eighteenth wrestler from Wisconsin to do so—and set a prep record of 110-5. His high school achievements include earning both Junior Dan Hodge Award and Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.

O'Toole graduated from Missouri with a degree in personal finance planning in 2024. He married Ellianna in November that same year.