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JimBob
12-16-2007, 07:41 AM
Fedora eyes Gundy's staff

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
12/16/2007


New USM coach wants to speak with three OSU assistants.


STILLWATER -- Former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Larry Fedora, who last week became the head coach at Southern Miss, has asked for permission to speak with three Cowboy assistants about possibly joining the Golden Eagle staff.

OSU coach Mike Gundy would not identify the three, but they are believed to be offensive line coach Joe Wickline, wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer and linebackers coach Todd Bradford.

"That's common. I expected this would happen," Gundy said. "When you leave a place, you look around and you don't know anybody. You start leaning toward people you're comfortable with. There's a lot of trust involved in this profession."

In advance of OSU's Dec. 31 Insight Bowl meeting with Indiana, Gundy will be largely responsible for formulating an offensive game plan.

Of the no-huddle spread attack that this season produced 484 yards and 33 points per game, Gundy said, "We're not changing anything. Our offense basically runs itself."

After the bowl, Gundy plans to identify candidates for the coordinator position.

In the Fedora system, Cowboy sophomore quarterback Zac Robinson broke the school single-season record for total offense.

"I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me," Robinson said of Fedora. "I knew from day one that he wanted to be a head coach. We're happy for him."

Following Friday's practice session -- OSU's first practice in 10 days -- Robinson said Gundy has a complete knowledge of the Fedora offense.

Cowboy wide receiver Adarius Bowman, who missed the final two regular-season games with a sprained knee, practiced at "full speed" on Friday, Gundy said. Linebacker Patrick Lavine (leg) and Robinson (shoulder) have recovered from minor injuries, and both participated in the Friday workout.

Gundy said senior backup cornerback Martel Van Zant will miss the Insight Bowl because of an ankle injury.

Visiting recruits: Swanson Miller, a highly regarded 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle from Butler County (Kan.) Community College, is among four recruits who visited the OSU campus this weekend.

Swanson is joined by Malcolm Bennett, a defensive end from Georgia Military College; Patrick Trahan, a safety from Northwest Mississippi Community College; Nigel Nicholas, a tight end from Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Ga.

Also visiting OSU this weekend are two high school recruits who already have expressed commitments to the Cowboys. They are linebacker Alfred Dupree of Dallas' Skyline High School and Markelle Martin, a safety / wide receiver from Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas.


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Pettigrew to explore NFL Draft entry


STILLWATER — Acknowledging that he is considering early entry in the NFL Draft, Oklahoma State junior tight end Brandon Pettigrew says he will not make a decision until he has solicited input from league general managers and scouts.

The 6-foot-6, 258-pound Pettigrew, who this season has 32 catches for 501 yards, said he plans to explore his draft status following OSU’s Dec. 31 Insight Bowl meeting with Indiana.

“I’m not going to worry about it right now,” said Pettigrew, who was voted by Big 12 coaches to the all-conference first team. “We’ve still got a game to play. I’ve got Indiana on the brain.”

Asked what he expects to hear from NFL officials — as to whether he might be selected in the first round, the second round or later — Pettigrew replied, “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

If there is a consensus among NFL scouts that Pettigrew would be selected no later than the second round, it is expected that the Tyler, Texas, native would enter the draft.

barryrules
12-16-2007, 07:47 AM
That really sucks that Martel won't get to play in his final game! And I sure hope that Pettigrew will stay for his senior season. But with the coaching changes I can see why he might consider leaving.

WyomingOSUAlum
12-16-2007, 11:17 AM
Fedora eyes Gundy's staff





:eek:

SeaOfOrange
12-16-2007, 11:22 AM
Wow, I NEVER thought he would do such a low-down dirty rotten underhanded thing like this. Oh wait, that's what always happens.

Good luck to Fedora and thanks for your time.

If those are the three that he wants to take, I think the only one we'll surely misses if he leaves would be Wickline. But, that's just me.

CanadianCowboy
12-16-2007, 11:53 AM
That really sucks that Martel won't get to play in his final game! And I sure hope that Pettigrew will stay for his senior season. But with the coaching changes I can see why he might consider leaving.

I agree with you about Martel. He's been one of our more notable players on 'D' and it's a shame that he will be unable to participate in his "keystone exercise".

I also hope that Pettigrew will stay, BUT.....I don't think the coaching changes will have much to do with his decision. If he gets consistent feedback from the NFL or a draft assessment that points to him going no lower than the 2nd round, then it becomes an economic decision. Much as with the case of Fedora, if he decides to go, then we will wish him the best of luck and move on without him.

Instead of years past when such changes would be cause for a REBUILDING effort, however, we are in a position now of RELOADING, baby! :cool:

PokesFanatic
12-16-2007, 12:35 PM
We will probably lose one coach to Fedora, maybe two just because they can upgrade from position coaches to coordinators. No big loss on the defensive side if Beckman was going to uproot the staff anyway.

Pettigrew going for the draft (along with the losses of both Savage and Bowman) means we lose considerable firepower on offense. I would be shocked to see us with a top 15 offense next year, though I still think it will be in the 20s in ranking.

In effect we will need a MAJOR improvement in defense next year or we could take several steps backwards and may struggle to earn bowl eligibility. The pressure is on for Gundy and now is the time to shine.