Wyoming's Mark Branch has always been a Cowboy

STILLWATER, Okla., -- OK, this is my last little story from my trip to Oklahoma.

I swear.

I'm sure you've had enough Oklahoma State University sports history to last you a lifetime. I know I have. However, I did run into a familiar face -- well, a photo or two, anyway -- at OSU's Heritage Hall inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater last week.

Recognize this guy?

Here's a picture of current University of Wyoming head wrestling coach Mark Branch from his college days at Oklahoma State. His photo can be spotted inside OSU's Heritage Hall in Stillwater./ Cody Tucker photo

Yep, that's current University of Wyoming head wrestling coach Mark Branch. He was indeed a two-time NCAA Champion -- and a four-time finalist and All-American -- at 167 pounds in an orange-and-black singlet. Something I didn't know is Branch (1994-97) was a four-time Academic All-American at OSU. That's impressive.

He also helped lead those Pokes to a national championship in 1994. Three years later he was named the Big XII Athlete of the Year.

Check out this story about Branch's miraculous '94 campaign on pistolsfiringblog.com.

Branch, who has been the head man in Laramie since 2008, boasts a 131-71 overall record at UW. The Cowboys are 66-25 inside the conference. Wyoming joined the Big XII back in 2015.

Branch, a Newkirk, Okla., native, became the 14th head coach in Wyoming history after spending the previous six seasons as an associate head coach in Stillwater -- 11 total as an assistant -- under the legendary John Smith. Branch helped lead those Cowboys to seven conference titles, four NCAA titles and three Dual Team Championships.

He has also coached 16 individual NCAA champions and 57 All-Americans.

Quite a resumé, huh?

Mark Branch, second from left, won two national championships during his career at Oklahoma State University./ Cody Tucker photo

Branch has turned Wyoming into a perennial Top-25 team in the nation. He's introduced us to All-Americans like Bryce Meredith, Joe LeBlanc and Stephen Buchanan, along with many, many others who have called Laramie home. He's one of the good ones.

Today also happens to be Branch's birthday. Give him a shoutout.

Happy Birthday, Coach!

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert Gagliardi, Jared Newland, Ryan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players