Hey Everybody...

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Glad to see this site is up.

I would like to start with this post that I made on the other site, and to elicite your comments...

You may think that I'm a little over the top with the "best since Jimmy" stance, but honestly that's what I believe.

What do you folks think about next year, are we on the verge of breaking through? Will the influx of the redshirt kids and the incoming JUCOs be enough to put us competitive deep into the fourth quarter of EVERY game? Is Gundy not taking us in a positive direction year after year?

Here are my thoughts, what are your thoughts?


I'd have to say that Gundy is the best HC that we've had at OSU since Jimmy... bar none. (Yes, better than "I love it here" Miles, who couldn't keep one solid recruit eligible)

The most integrity, the most vision, the best recruiter, the best at getting kids to graduate and do the right things, the best program builder... plain and simply the best all around.

He still has some room for improving game management, but that too is coming along.

When the first DC didn't work out, he made a change (something Les never did despite all the "advice" from our fans, Les never once listened to the fans or the boosters... and it really ruined his career now didn't it?).

Gundy is a players coach, a fan favorite, a booster favorite, a do it right type of guy that has made SIGNIFICANT progress in each year that he has been at the helm.

First year he made progress by getting rid of the riff-raff and brining in a coaching staff that would lay the foundation for offensive prowess and recruiting excellence.

Second year he led us to a bowl, while improving everything about Cowboy football on and off the field, and he had the fortitude to dismiss a coach and move in a new direction. He played 12 freshmen out of that class and started the redshirt talent stockpile.

Third year he continue to build great momentum, made a tough change at QB, rallied the nation around OSU with his defense of his players, got us to another bowl, did not get us blown out as past teams had been, and redshirted 12 from what is considered to be one of the best classes in OSU history.

IMO, a bunch of fans are jumping the gun with negativism and undue criticism.

We have a team for 2008 that will have some of the best recruited talent in OSU history, many of them with a year or more of experience, and he's bolstering those kids with some immediate JUCO help to make a very strong run at 2008.

Honestly, I fail to understand why anybody could be up in arms about what has transpired at OSU the past 36 months. It may not have been as smooth as we would have liked, but IMO there is no denying that we are on the verge of a monster breakout season.

I hear the whiners complaining, but I'm having a very hard time applying any credibility to 9/10ths of what they are saying. I can simply find very little truth in any of the negative nonsense that is being spewed by a handful of malcontents.

The football program is in great shape, and is in great hands, and we are crossing the boundry of amazing progress.

[Roman Craig]

Agree 100%. Should we start looking over our shoulders now?:D Or is Danny Downer not on this board?:rolleyes:

[Lewis the Pike]

No offense but Pat Jones and Bob Simmons didn't exactly set the bar very high.

Les Miles was far better than those two. And in my book, he has done more for us than Gundy has at this point, and we know he won't railroad us like Les did.

But to me Wins and Losses matter, and Gundy is behind Bob Simmons (carrer record 30-38) at this point.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Actually Simmons was 17-18 after 3 years, with one bowl.... albeit, starting from further down.... he followed that with three straight losing seasons.

Obviously we don't agree on the Les/Mike situation... if you only look at wins and losses, then you might pursuade me; but Miles didn't have the stockpile of players that Gundy seems to have now, and when you factor in the thugs, guys constantly in court, and his ignoring of our Boosters to upgrade the player facilities... I'm having a hard time giving Les the edge.

I guess we'll see... Les peaked his third year then started dropping off in his 4th... I don't think that Gundy is even close to peaking (at least I hope that 7 wins isn't the peak)

[Pokevette]

I think the jury is still out on Gundy....

Miles (with very few exceptions) I thought showed a consistency to win the games he should as well as win a few that he had no business winning. If I had my choice of all the coaches through Stillwater since the early 80's when I enrolled at OSU, I would pick Miles to lead the team.

Gundy has shown a solid pattern of underperformance relative to expectations. 2007 was a season when the Big-12 was fairly wide open. Yet, we could not put together a better then .500 league record. Until Gundy shows he is more then a .500 coach, I'm having a hard time feeling like he is the answer long term.

Next season will be a pivotal season for Gundy and the Pokes.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Agree that this will be a pivotal season, but IMO, we're in really good shape to take it on; we'll see what happens.

I think you're giving Les way to much credit for those season records, the North was SO BAD at that time; nobody in the North finished better than OSU most seasons... the North was really, really bad.

Likewise, I understand what you're saying that the Big-12 being fairly wide open, but IMO, that was because the teams were so much better, not because they were worse; and we held our own -- amongst tougher competition. Keep in mind that Miles was 1-3 against TTech with the only victory being the 51-49 squeaker. (and Tech has remained fairly consistent; whereas A&M has been up and down).

I like Les, I'm not trying to disrespect him, I simply think that Coach Gundy has all of the traits needed to succeed, and has succeeded, and finally will have a team with few flaws (provided we get Miller or Burgess, and close out successfully on this class).

[backPhil]

We really haven't had any coach burn it up consistently.

Gundy fits this program hand in glove. He loves the university. He values his education and that of his players. He has exhibited uncompromising moral authority. The players respect him and respond to his leadership. His recruiting classes have been full of exciting players. He is not using oSu as a stepping stone to another job. He attracts quality assistants. He brings hope to a program starving for consistent success.


BIG 8

Jim Stanley - 35-31-2
5-4-2
7-5
7-4
9-3
4-7
3-8

Jimmy Johnson - 30-25-2
7-4
4-7
7-5
4-5-2
8-4

Pat Jones - 62-60-3
10-2
8-4
6-5
10-2
10-2
4-7
4-7
0-10-1
4-6-1
3-8
3-7-1

BIG 12

Bob Simmons - 30-38
4-8
5-6
8-4
5-6
5-6
3-8

Les Miles - 28-21
4-7
8-5
9-4
7-5

Mike Gundy - 18-19 (or 17-20)
4-7
7-6
7-6 (or 6-7)

[CanadianCowboy]

CCWest....for once, you and I are singing harmony on the same sheet of music. I always knew where backPhil stood, which is also in line with us, but it is a nice surprise to see myself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you.

Looking back over the past 3 years, it is so simple to see The Plan and understand what the next steps are. I also vehemently agree that Les Miles did not contribute as much to the betterment of the program for the long term as some folks would like to believe. And to all those who whine & cry about our defenses of the last 3 years, and actually state out loud that they wish for the "good days of the Miles era", you need to give your head a shake. That 4-2-5 with the 3-2-6 Prevent feature guaranteed to give up huge chunk plays and a score or two still gives me heartburn when I think about it.

The Plan...so simple....build up an exciting offense to give us the chance to win an optimum number of games in an exciting fashion, attract attention & crowds with the gaudy numbers, yet not give up many aspects of ball control to keep the turnover numbers down. At the same time recruit and redshirt outstanding defensive players, let them develop, and turn them out to play smashmouth defense opposite an offense that is accustomed to running the high-octane offense.

I see championships on the horizon folks, and not by fluke. Championships by plan, led by a head coach that is one of our own and has more fire for winning than anybody I've ever witnessed - anyone remember his on-field toe-to-toe 'discussions' with ol' Brian Bosworth in those Bedlam games? Mike Gundy has it, and I believe he THE right guy for The Mission.

[MarkOSU]

I like that Mike has not been willing to give up the future for a possible quick return. His patience with young players, redshirting them and getting them ready will pay off big over the long haul.
Have I agreed with every call he has made? No, but I am willing to be patient, because I believe that it will pay off.

[BigBadBen]

You know, I do think next season will be a good (8-9 win) season. I think the schedule sets up nicely.

But, I keep looking to '09 and I get excited.

I have a gut feeling that '09 is going to be special.

Maybe Im wrong, but I think of Zac as a Sr, Dez & Spud as Jr's, all the redshirts this season having experience, and then this years recruits with a few stand out frosh from next seasons class.

I just think this thing is building, and I do think '09 is going to be special.

[frankeaton]

this is the reason I like this board(s) or the folks that contribute; most except jimbob are postive about our programs where I refuse to read the rivals board after a loss because it is so negative.

I agree with anything above but what Mike and his wife did last year was unheard of if you remember my post about him walking around talking to tailgators

[legelegel]

Pat Jones' last 6 years from 1989 to 1994:

4-7
4-7
0-10-1
4-6-1
3-8
3-7-1

Not sure why he got the last three years to rebound from the previous three.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Pat Jones' last 6 years:

4-7
4-7
0-10-1
4-6-1
3-8
3-7-1

Not sure why he got the last three years to rebound from the previous three.

that's about how long the probation lasted... which was why Pat is so bitter, he thought he deserved a chance to rebuild the team once the severe limitations of probation ended.

[legelegel]

Jones' last winning season was 1988 and his last season was 1994.

Believe it or not. Many thought that the penalties imposed on OSU could have been much more severe, and the only reason they were not was that the NCAA did not want OU to become even more dominate in the State of Oklahoma.

Still the NCAA underestimated the impact of even these penalties and how damaging they really would be to OSU football.

One should remember that the SMU Mustangs were given the first football death penalty two years earlier in 1987. 20 years later that school still has not fully recovered.


Major Infractions Cases

Institution: Oklahoma State University
Date: 06-JAN-89

Facts Summary: Improper financial aid and transportation; extra benefits; improper recruiting contacts, employment, entertainment, inducements, lodging and transportation; eligibility; improper administration of financial aid; unethical conduct; institutional control; certification of compliance.

Violation Summary: Improper financial aid and transportation; extra benefits; improper recruiting contacts, employment, entertainment, inducements, lodging and transportation; eligibility; improper administration of financial aid; unethical conduct; institutional control; certification of compliance.

Penalty Summary: Maximum of 20 initial grants for 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92; maximum of 50 official visits for 1989-90 and 1990-91; recertification; annual reports regarding compliance programs; show cause why more penalties should not be imposed of institution does not disassociate 14 representatives. FOOTBALL: three-year postseason ban and two-year television ban.

Involved Sports:
Football
Men's Wrestling

Involved Penalties:

TV: 2 yrs
Postseason: 3 yrs
Probation: 4 yrs

Reduction in Financial Aid: Yes
Recruiting: Yes
Show Cause Action: Yes
https://goomer.ncaa.org/wdbctx/LSDBi/LSDBi.MajorInfPackage.SearchAndDisplayList?p_Schoo l1=Oklahoma+State+University&p_School_Num1=&p_School2=&p_School_Num2=&p_Case_Division=0&p_Date_Radio=1&p_Month1=JAN&p_Day1=1&p_Year1=1953&p_Month2=FEB&p_Day2=15&p_Year2=2007&p_Sport1=Any&p_SportAndOr_1=0&p_Sport2=Any&p_SportAndOr_2=0&p_Sport3=Any&p_TV_Penalty=10&p_Postseason_Penalty=10&p_Probation_Penalty=10&p_Division=0&p_bylaw_radio1=0&p_Bylaw=0&p_Article=&p_Contains_Clause1=1&p_SearchWords1=&p_Inword1=heading&p_Boolean1=and&p_Contains_Clause2=1&p_SearchWords2=&p_Inword2=heading&p_Boolean2=and&p_Contains_Clause3=1&p_SearchWords3=&p_Inword3=heading&p_Button=Go+Search