That was a great interview. Bo is an awesome informal spokesman and recruiter for Penn State. He just can't stop raving about the program.
He mentioned how Penn State has had an individual champion at every weight and Penn State is where to go if you want to be a national champion . For everyone who can't understand how Penn State can get all these phenomenal wrestlers with just the 9.9 scholarships, and especially those who allege cheating, it is interesting, as NittanyLion84 mentioned above, that Bo said he had to pay to come to Penn State but he chose to do so anyway even though he could have received a full ride at other schools. Some other bullet points from the interview:
-- Regarding NIL, Bo said that jumping into the transfer portal with just the intent to chase the money is like selling yourself, and if you sell yourself when you are young, you will probably do it when you are older also.
-- Bo is in the Penn State room 3 or 4 days a week, but he is focused on his MMA career now and is currently not pursuing competitive wrestling
-- Roman mentioned the potential of wrestling a modified upcoming season
-- Roman wrestles Gilman every day and says anyone who thinks NLWC isn't the best room in the country is just "a hater"
-- Roman does a lot of cross training, including jiu jitsu
-- Roman will be joining NLWC after his college wrestling career ends
-- Bo mentioned Roman, Carter, Aaron and Greg when he talked about his MMA gym
-- It is obvious that Roman and Bo have great respect for the coaching staff
-- It was heartening to hear both of them talk about how they want to make sure any business/sponsorship deals they participate in are ones of integrity and not just to make a quick buck.
-- Bo feels "called" to serve others and give back. His gratitude for the blessings he has received in his life is obvious
-- They both were very transparent about their faith (Roman thanked Bo for a Bible study they were involved in) and both mentioned how they never want to cause harm to their opponents.
The more I listen to interviews of Penn State wrestlers the more I believe that the mental/spiritual emphases of Cael and the other coaches is the "secret sauce" in the development of the wrestlers. So many of the wrestlers speak of their faith, their gratitude, having fun, not being afraid to lose, enjoying the moment, etc. The aspect of not letting fear of failure drive your wrestling seems to be critical. You see it in so many of the Penn State wrestlers. They wrestle loose, but focused. It is like they feel so blessed to get to wrestle in a big match that their best naturally comes out. I was the opposite as a wrestler. I let fear of failure drive me. Because of that, the mental aspect of most Penn State wrestlers has always stood out to me. They are indeed blessed to have Cael and the other coaches walking with them on their wrestling (and life) journey.