JimBob
02-05-2010, 07:59 PM
Gundy stretched too thin by duties
OSU coach explains hiring of Holgorsen as offensive coordinator.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 2/5/2010 4:12 AM
Last Modified: 2/5/2010 10:54 AM
STILLWATER — After two seasons of overseeing the Oklahoma State offensive operation and handling the play-calling, head coach Mike Gundy said he relinquished offensive duties because he was "stretched too thin" and fatigued by the "wear and tear" of essentially juggling two jobs.
"About a week after the (Cotton Bowl), I really started thinking about it," Gundy said on Wednesday.
On Jan. 15, only three days after indicating that he would remain in control of the offense, Gundy hired University of Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. In 2009, Holgorsen's Cougars led the nation in total offense, passing yards and scoring.
"He's running the show," Gundy said of Holgorsen, who was given a three-year contract believed to be worth $360,000 annually.
OSU has led the Big 12 in rushing in each of the last four seasons. The Cowboys are nicely stocked in the backfield with Kendall Hunter, Jeremy Smith and an incoming four-star freshman in Joseph Randle. During his five seasons as a coordinator, Holgorsen's offenses got 79 percent of their yardage through the air.
"Dana is going to want to run the ball," Gundy said. "Will we have a guy that carries it 180 times? I don't know. But I wouldn't bring Dana in here for me to go in and meddle with him.
"If we tinker with (the Holgorsen offense) and make it fit our personnel, (it) gives us the best chance to move the ball, score points and win the Big 12 championship. I honestly feel that way."
The 2009 Cowboys, diminished by the Dez Bryant suspension and Kendall Hunter's foot injury, were 70th nationally in total offense and 56th in scoring. Last week, OSU athletic director Mike Holder was asked whether he urged or instructed Gundy to hire an offensive coordinator.
Holder's response: "I'm not going to comment on that."
In addition to coordinating the offense, Holgorsen will coach quarterbacks. Gunter Brewer, who last season was listed as a co-offensive coordinator, will coach receivers. Robert Matthews, who last season coached quarterbacks, will be reassigned to a non-coaching position within the staff.
Holgorsen was a Mike Leach assistant at Texas Tech in 2000-07. In his final three seasons at Lubbock, Holgorsen was a co-coordinator. When asked how the new OSU offense might resemble the offenses at Texas Tech and Houston, Holgorsen replied, "There are going to be some things that look the same and some things that look drastically different. Obviously, the perception is . . . that I've been doing the exact same thing (as what Leach did at Texas Tech). But you'll see some drastic differences."
"(OSU) is a good place and it's getting better and better," Holgorsen added. "There's nothing that needs to be fixed. I mean, they've won nine games here the last two seasons. That's good. We haven't won a championship yet, which is what we're after."
When spring practice begins next month, OSU must replace Zac Robinson at quarterback and four offensive linemen (including consensus All-American left tackle Russell Okung).
"I haven't been able to evaluate (OSU's returning offensive personnel), other than on film from last year," Holgorsen said. "I'm happy with the guys that are here. There aren't a lot of guys that have a whole lot of experience, but I think we'll get better."
Brandon Weeden, a 26-year-old junior, currently is designated the No. 1 quarterback.
The 2010 roster will include a pair of first-year freshman QBs — Johnny Deaton of Sand Springs (already enrolled at OSU) and Nate Sorenson of Texarkana, Texas.
Of three incoming freshman wide receivers, Holgorsen said, "Do we need those guys to come in and play? Yeah. We're not very deep. There aren't a lot of numbers at receiver."
OSU coach explains hiring of Holgorsen as offensive coordinator.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 2/5/2010 4:12 AM
Last Modified: 2/5/2010 10:54 AM
STILLWATER — After two seasons of overseeing the Oklahoma State offensive operation and handling the play-calling, head coach Mike Gundy said he relinquished offensive duties because he was "stretched too thin" and fatigued by the "wear and tear" of essentially juggling two jobs.
"About a week after the (Cotton Bowl), I really started thinking about it," Gundy said on Wednesday.
On Jan. 15, only three days after indicating that he would remain in control of the offense, Gundy hired University of Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. In 2009, Holgorsen's Cougars led the nation in total offense, passing yards and scoring.
"He's running the show," Gundy said of Holgorsen, who was given a three-year contract believed to be worth $360,000 annually.
OSU has led the Big 12 in rushing in each of the last four seasons. The Cowboys are nicely stocked in the backfield with Kendall Hunter, Jeremy Smith and an incoming four-star freshman in Joseph Randle. During his five seasons as a coordinator, Holgorsen's offenses got 79 percent of their yardage through the air.
"Dana is going to want to run the ball," Gundy said. "Will we have a guy that carries it 180 times? I don't know. But I wouldn't bring Dana in here for me to go in and meddle with him.
"If we tinker with (the Holgorsen offense) and make it fit our personnel, (it) gives us the best chance to move the ball, score points and win the Big 12 championship. I honestly feel that way."
The 2009 Cowboys, diminished by the Dez Bryant suspension and Kendall Hunter's foot injury, were 70th nationally in total offense and 56th in scoring. Last week, OSU athletic director Mike Holder was asked whether he urged or instructed Gundy to hire an offensive coordinator.
Holder's response: "I'm not going to comment on that."
In addition to coordinating the offense, Holgorsen will coach quarterbacks. Gunter Brewer, who last season was listed as a co-offensive coordinator, will coach receivers. Robert Matthews, who last season coached quarterbacks, will be reassigned to a non-coaching position within the staff.
Holgorsen was a Mike Leach assistant at Texas Tech in 2000-07. In his final three seasons at Lubbock, Holgorsen was a co-coordinator. When asked how the new OSU offense might resemble the offenses at Texas Tech and Houston, Holgorsen replied, "There are going to be some things that look the same and some things that look drastically different. Obviously, the perception is . . . that I've been doing the exact same thing (as what Leach did at Texas Tech). But you'll see some drastic differences."
"(OSU) is a good place and it's getting better and better," Holgorsen added. "There's nothing that needs to be fixed. I mean, they've won nine games here the last two seasons. That's good. We haven't won a championship yet, which is what we're after."
When spring practice begins next month, OSU must replace Zac Robinson at quarterback and four offensive linemen (including consensus All-American left tackle Russell Okung).
"I haven't been able to evaluate (OSU's returning offensive personnel), other than on film from last year," Holgorsen said. "I'm happy with the guys that are here. There aren't a lot of guys that have a whole lot of experience, but I think we'll get better."
Brandon Weeden, a 26-year-old junior, currently is designated the No. 1 quarterback.
The 2010 roster will include a pair of first-year freshman QBs — Johnny Deaton of Sand Springs (already enrolled at OSU) and Nate Sorenson of Texarkana, Texas.
Of three incoming freshman wide receivers, Holgorsen said, "Do we need those guys to come in and play? Yeah. We're not very deep. There aren't a lot of numbers at receiver."