In a week, Stockton Graves will venture to Las Vegas to compete in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the seventh time in his career.

That’s proof that the cowboy from Newkirk, Okla., is one of the elite steer wrestlers in the sport. But further proof of his greatness came this past week when Graves was named rodeo coach at his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Graves was a standout in Alva. He won the Central Plains Region’s steer wrestling title twice and was a three-time qualifier to the College National Finals Rodeo; he owns the record for the fastest bulldogging time at the college finals, a 3.4-second run.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as the new head coach and coming back to Alva and Northwestern,” Graves said in a release issued by the Northwestern sports information office. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Northwestern and want to share that experience with the current and future members of the rodeo team. I’m pleased to be able to give something back to the university and the community.”