Football Staff Changes

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Thoughts After 2022-23 Season

Here is what I posted after the 2022-23 season. Major changes are needed from top to bottom, not just on the offense and defensive staff. We started the year 6-1 and ended the year 1-5. Has Gundy become too complacent and too comfortable? As good as Gundy has been for our university, he has allowed our program to slide backwards over the past 5 years. For example, besides last year when we were a senior laden squad with an elite defensive coordinator we have been average. Here's our regular season record and conference record 4 out of the last 5 years (since 2018). Gundy must make the tough decisions for this program or he'll lose the respect of his players and locker room.

2018 overall 6-6 (conference 3-6)
2019 overall 7-5 (conference 5-4)
2020 overall 7-3 (conference 6-3)
2022 overall 7-5 (conference 4-5)

OFFENSE
Obviously we need to do something with the offensive line coaching, offensive coordinator, etc. The Kasey Dunn experiment needs to come to an end. In 2021, the offense ranked #51 in scoring (at 30.1 pts per game) and ranked #67 in total yards. However, those numbers were inflated because of the number of times the defense either scored or put the offense in a short field. In 2022, the offense ranked #40 in scoring (at 31.8 pts per game) and #45 in total yards. However, those numbers were inflated due to the early season games against inferior competition. During the last 6 games of the season we averaged 14.1 pts per game on offense.

Personally, I think our best recruiter needs to be the running back coach. This is one position that's hard to develop talent. A RB either either has "it" or doesn't. A RB must have vision, balance, and athletic ability because these are things that cannot be developed over time. Regarding coaching changes, here's how I'd like to see our coaching staff next year.

OC = Marcus Arroyo or Seth Littrell or Scott Frost
RB = Curtis Luper or Cale Gundy
QB = Doug Meacham (CO-OC) or Brandon Weeden or Tim Rattay
WR = Cale Gundy or Kasey Dunn
OL = Nic Cardwell

The coaches above are all good coaches (x's and o's) and great recruiters (something this program desperately needs). Doug Meacham used to be one of the best recruiters on our staff. Curtis Luper has been recognized as one of the best recruiters in the entire country. Cale Gundy has always been one of OU's best recruiters. Marcus Arroyo has already proven his ability to land top recruits at Oklahoma State.

Most of you probably don't know about Nic Cardwell, but click on his name to read his bio and watch the video below (his story sounds similar to the JJ Watt story and you can tell he would fit into Gundy's Cowboy Culture). He left Appalachian State after this season and moved over to Louisville. However, I think we could still get him. He is young (which should help in recruiting) and he is really good at what he does. This past year Appalachian State ranked #34 in sacks allowed and #21 in rushing offense.



Here's what I posted after Derek Mason stepped down.

Derek Mason 2022-23 Results (#95 scoring, #117 total defense, #81 team sacks)

Now that we know one coach is gone, who's next? Who is your vote to replace Mason?




Updated list of defensive coordinator (DC) possibilities include:

Jim Leonhard (Wisconsin) = scoring 17, total defense 11, team sacks 40
Jon Heacock (Iowa State) = scoring 18, total defense 4, team sacks 114
Lance Guidry (Marshall) = scoring 6, total defense 8, team sacks 16
Joe Rossi (DC Minnesota) = scoring 4, total defense 9, team sacks 118
Bryant Haines (James Madison) = scoring 24, total defense 5, team sacks 4
Gary Patterson (Texas analyst)
Joe Bob Clements + (LB coach)

Here are the links for FBS defensive stats:
Scoring Defense (FBS)
Total Defense (FBS)
Team Sacks (FBS)

List of possible LB coaches if Joe Bob Clements is promoted to DC include:

A) Koy McFarland (LB = Tulsa)
B) Jimmy Rogers (DC = South Dakota State ranked 3 scoring, 2 total defense, 5 team sacks)
C) Corey Hetherman (LB = Rutgers)
D) David Braun (DC = North Dakota State ranked 5 scoring, 8 total defense, 5 team sacks)
E) Travis Pearson (DC = Alabama State ranked 8 scoring, 15 total defense, 46 team sacks)
F) Manny Rojas (DC = Delaware ranked 4 scoring, 7 total defense, 70 team sacks)
G) Justin Wood (DC = Richmond ranked 7 scoring, 19 total defense, 44 team sacks)

Here are the links for FCS defensive stats:
Scoring Defense (FCS)
Total Defense (FCS)
Team Sacks (FCS)

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Thoughts After 2023-24 Season

Here is what I posted after the 2023-24 season. Coach Dunn needs to go. He is absolutely horrendous. He needs to be demoted to wide receiver coach and stripped of his play calling duties. If he does not want to be demoted, then he just needs to be fired or encouraged to move on.

OTHER NEEDED STAFF CHANGES

Last year I was really hoping we would get rid of DL coach Greg Richmond and make Joe Bob Clements the DL coach again. Then hire someone with coordinator experience for the linebackers coach (from a lower level like Nardo), but ultimately hire someone like Gary Patterson or Lance Guidry as the defensive coordinator (and not make them coach a position).

We could still do this for next year. Nardo could be demoted to linebackers coach and to learn under Gary Patterson. This would be the best situation and Gary Patterson definitely knows the Iowa State defense. His defense was very similar. He's also probably one of the brightest defensive football minds in college football and good friends with Gundy (not to mention he's only an analyst at Texas).

2023 NARDO DEFENSE
Scoring = 74
Total = 112

I wish we had gotten rid of Dunn before the 2021 season because we could have been to the college football playoffs and possibly won a championship. At the very least, we should have gotten rid of him after the 2021 season when the defense had to carry our team week in and week out. Once again, I was hoping we would go after a qualified and proven division 1 coordinator from a smaller school (like Liberty, Memphis, Appalachian State, etc), then fill other POSITIONAL COACHING jobs from lower division levels like FCS, DII, DIII (but making sure the position coach hires were young and hungry with successful offensive coordinator experience).

2023 DUNN OFFENSE
Scoring = 48*
Total = 30*
* due to unbelievable performances by Ollie Gordon

If we can't get these coaches, I would love to see oSu grab some offensive coordinators with proven success from lower division levels (FCS, DII, DIII) to COACH POSITIONS. This way if our offensive coordinator position opens up due to success in later years, one of these guys could be promoted since they already have experience calling plays and would be familiar with our offensive terms. Additionally, by hiring these lower division level coaches they will have contacts when they see certain players from these lower divisions hit the portal and may already have potential relationships with the player or coaches in the conference where they can get a better read on the player.

OFFENSE

OC = Marcus Arroyo, or Scott Frost, or Casey Woods (SMU), or Tim Cramsey (Memphis)
RB/FB = Curtis Luper, or Cale Gundy, or keep John Wozniak
QB = Doug Meacham (CO-OC) or Brandon Weeden or keep Tim Rattay
WR/TE = Cale Gundy or Kasey Dunn (if he stays after a demotion)
OL = Nic Cardwell

I truly believe for a coordinator to be the most successful they shouldn't coach a position. It allows them to not worry about that position during a game, but it also allows them to have input in other positions during practices.

I also think the offensive coordinator should be the coordinator of all special team returns. Gundy should be the overall special team coordinator, but return should be delegated to the offensive coordinator and the coverage unit should be delegated to the defensive of coordinator.

DEFENSE

DC = Lance Guidry or Bryant Haines or Gary Patterson
DL = Joe Bob Clements
LB = Jimmy Rogers or demote Bryan Nardo
CB = Dennis Thurman or keep Tim Duffie
S = David Braun or keep Dan Hammerschmidt

As I mentioned previously, the easiest change would be to hire someone like Gary Patterson as the defensive coordinator and demote Nardo to the linebackers coach. He is a great motivator, very relatable, young, hungry, etc, but he's JUST NOT READY. He could learn under Patterson and eventually take over. This would be the best situation for all parties.

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Thoughts During 2024-25 Season

If Gundy was serious about winning championships, he would have turned down the $2 million dollar raise two years ago and used that money to keep Jim Knowles around. oSu could have made Knowles the highest paid defensive coordinator above $1.5 million. Then Gundy could have used rest of that money to lure back Monken with a salary above $1.5 million and the designation of offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting.

This would have cemented Gundy as the greatest head coach in Oklahoma State history. Plus we probably would have won at least one more conference title and possibly played in a playoff game.

However, the biggest problem with Gundy is his PRIDE. He thinks he can coach up any ordinary coach to greatness, that's why he rarely ever fires coaches and hires unknown division 3 coaches who were previously fired just the season before.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

Gundy believes he is brilliant and the special sauce for the success of the program. When he doesn’t have any solid to great coordinators to carry the water, we struggle to win games.

Weiberg MUST sit down with Gundy NOW and communicate his expectations and ask Gundy how he plans to achieve it. If Gundy's response doesn’t involve DRASTIC changes to his staff, then oSu needs to talk RETIREMENT. Additionally, oSu must STOP THE ROLLOVER no matter what. If Gundy wants the rollover back, then he has to earn it (but you at least start his clock).

Everyone knows BOTH Dunn & Nardo are over their heads. For now, Gundy MUST immediately demote Nardo and Dunn. This might give the team HOPE and know that things will change. For the interim Gundy should select Tim Rattay for the interim offensive coordinator. On defense, Gundy should go with Joe Bob Clements as the interim defensive coordinator. Give these guys a chance.

OFFENSE (RIGHT NOW)

1) Gundy should also try hiring Dana Holgorsen for the offensive coordinator position to finish the season once he's able to get up to speed. He is currently at TCU as a defensive analyst.



2) Fire offensive line coach Dickey, then temporarily make McEndoo the offensive line coach for the rest of the year. Have Glidden or Walsh take over the tight ends and fullbacks.

DEFENSE (RIGHT NOW)

1) Gundy should try hiring Gary Patterson as the defensive coordinator for this year. He is currently at Baylor as a consultant.

2) Once Nardo is demoted to linebackers coach, fire Randolph and move Clements back to the DL. Once Gary Patterson gets up to speed, he can coach the linebackers and you can move Nardo to analyst.

Gundy was mad when Holgerson and Monken got all the credit, so he decided to change the offense and hire a D3 unknown coordinator who wasn’t ready. That Gundy arrogance cost us a few conference titles and the ability to take the program to another level.

Gundy was jealous when everyone credited Knowles for our resurgence and success, so he decided to change the defense. He did this by hiring a D3 unknown coordinator (who was fired from his previous job just the year before) because he coordinated a similar defense to Iowa State.

Gundy is going to burn this thing down showing everyone he is the smartest guy in the room.

TEAM RECORD
2018 overall 6-6 (conference 3-6)
2019 overall 7-5 (conference 5-4)
2020 overall 7-3 (conference 6-3)
2021 overall 11-1 (conference 8-1)
2022 overall 7-5 (conference 4-5)
2023 overall 9-3 (conference 7-2)
2024 overall 3-9 (conference 0-9)

OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
2018 total #10 (scoring #13) Yurcich
2019 total #21 (scoring #36) Gleeson
2020 total #39 (scoring #51) Dunn
2021 total #55 (scoring #46) Dunn
2022 total #52 (scoring #50) Dunn
2023 total #30 (scoring #54) Dunn
2024 total #65 (scoring #49) Dunn

DEFENSIVE RANKINGS
2018 total #112 (scoring #97) Knowles
2019 total #82 (scoring #61) Knowles
2020 total #47 (scoring #34) Knowles
2021 total #5 (scoring #9) Knowles
2022 total #115 (scoring #89) Mason
2023 total #126 (scoring #91) Nardo
2024 total #133 (scoring #102) Nardo

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Gundy's PRIDE is the biggest problem. To prove to everyone he is right, he's dug in deeper. Now he's going to burn the whole program down in flames. This is sad to watch because this is NOT going to end well for Gundy (for the immediate future and his legacy).

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Some good points made by SouthernPoke about Gundy.

It is time for him to go......period. No school would have put up with the crap he has pulled and if throwing the fans under the bus (same group he said "I don't give a rats ass about someone on social media" and going 0-9 in conference isn't enough there is plenty more over the years.
-the 3 QB crap last year so his son could play. Of course he played Cate over Weeden........Zac with a bad shoulder over Weeden..........wouldn't play Rudolph or Smith "they aren't ready"
-running McCleskey off because he went to Gundy for the team to make a request.
-the Chuba OAN thing.....which had nothing to do with a shirt, but more about a head coach who did not give a crap and the players knew it
-asking an alum to use his plane and then not showing up
-asking an alum for $100,000 so he could fly around in a helicopter "look at me" and then not showing up for the meeting
-when ask by the fundraising dept to go meet with our biggest out of state alumni in Houston.....demanding a private plane, limo and Astros tickets for his family and friends
-calling out Boone publicly then doing the same with Holder when Holder suggests we recruit harder. I think Holder said "like Babe Ruth I'm swinging for the fences"
-saying OU is no more important than Baylor
-hiring Yurcich and telling guys like Wickline here is your new boss
-hiring Nardo and telling veteran coaches here is your new boss
-not making any effort to keep Knowles because he wanted to get himself more money and he was jealous of JK getting the attention.....guess his mullet was no longer a thing
-his antiquated offense with Cowboybacks crap and "nothing wrong with the scheme"
-Holder had to fire him as OC and bring in Holgorson
-then he made Meach show him the spread offense we were running and made him think he would be the next OC.......Meach found out when it went public because Gundy didn't have the balls to tell him
-he wouldn't offer Felix Jones a scholarship until he visited no matter how much the other coaches tried to convince him...so he didn't visit
-In the Texas game a few years ago he made Yurcich run the ball on first down every single series....and we lost
-But this was his Yankees job........unless he wanted to use Tenn or Arky.......and then he said Texas A&M came after him until Holder called them and they said they had not talked to him. The worst was actually calling Baylor.
-of course when a media person asks him question we all want to know he yells at the guy......"they have a family"
It is just time for a change................if 0-9 and calling out the fans isn't enough............not sure what is?

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

How does any division 1 team lose 52 to 0 to Colorado, especially a team that was picked in the Top 15 preseason polls? Has the game passed Gundy by? Do you think Gundy is aware of it? What else has been going on behind the scenes? What happens to Gundy and the staff in the off-season? What do you hope happens?

At this point, the best case scenario would be for Gundy to graciously retire and not set back the university with a huge buyout. Then Gundy could move into a media role like Nick Saban and share his knowledge with the world. He have some great insights on NIL salary caps, limiting the portal or signing contracts, and how to deal with the fake defensive injuries that is plaguing college football and slowing the game down. Additionally, Gundy can be funny and witty, plus it would be a great opportunity for him to pump up his alma mater with free publicity and marketing.

Gundy was 0-9 in conference this year without OU or Texas (after returning 20 of 22 starters from last year's 10 win team, which was the most in division 1). His bowl streak was snapped after 18 straight seasons.

Gundy makes $7.75 million which is more than the average NFL coach who makes $6.60 million. In 19 years, Gundy has 1 conference championship. However, he is among the 15 highest paid coaches in college football and is the highest paid coach in the Big 12.

Some will question how could anyone see this coming? I don't know, maybe look at his record the last few years.

REGULAR SEASON RECORD
2018 overall 6-6 (conference 3-6)
2019 overall 7-5 (conference 5-4)
2020 overall 7-3 (conference 6-3)
2022 overall 7-5 (conference 4-5)
2024 overall 3-9 (conference 0-9)

Gundy called out the fans this year instead of calling out himself. He needs to self-examine himself, but that'll never happen because of his PRIDE!!! He would rather burn this thing down to the ground before admitting his faults and stepping aside. I doubt Gundy is going to play nicely and do what is best for the university.

Pride comes before the fall...

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Gundy is currently top 5 in trending topics on X (i.e. Twitter).

 

[OSU_Sports_Nut]

Here is more what the media, fans, alumni, and former players are saying...