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12-26-2007, 08:52 AM
This is Dave's submission for your consideration. Poll to follow . . .
OSU officials still have faith in Gundy
By DAVE SITTLER
World Sports Columnist
12/25/2007
STILLWATER -- Mike Gundy made an interesting observation the other day.
He acknowledged that he wasn't ready to be a head coach when Oklahoma
State promoted him to be its football coach.
One game shy of three football seasons later, a lot of people are still
wondering if Gundy is any more capable of being in charge of the Cowboys'
program now than he was when he replaced Les Miles.
There were at least two episodes this season when Gundy embarrassed the
university, raising questions about his leader ship abilities.
OSU officials supported Gundy publicly, but they privately were dismayed
with the lack of professionalism he displayed when he unleashed a
post-game tirade aimed at a sportswriter.
And his refusal to immediately dismiss Chris Collins after the linebacker
pleaded guilty to a felony aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl
was inexcusable.
Six days later, Gundy finally booted Collins off the team. But that was too
late to repair what became a public relations disaster.
So, in less than two months, Gundy blackened both of OSU's eyes by
creating negative publicity that drew widespread national attention, and in
some cases outrage.
"Where I look at where I'm at right now as a head coach, individually, I don't
know why I would have hired me three years ago," Gundy said last week.
"I would just now start to think about maybe hiring me.
"From all the mistakes I've made in trying to get better, in learning how to
deal with the whole picture. . ."
Athletic director Mike Holder and the Board of Regents apparently would do it
all over again if they had a second chance. They said as much when they
extended Gundy's contract after the Cowboys completed a second
consecutive 6-6 regular season with a 49-17 blowout Bedlam Series loss to
Oklahoma.
Sources confirm that Gundy was privately reprimanded for the way he
mishandled the situation with the sportswriter.
He's also been told to be more forthright with the media, an area where
Gundy has repeatedly struggled as a head coach.
And yet he was still given a year's extension, guaranteeing him a contact
through 2013.
That's a pretty sweet deal when you consider Gundy is 17-19 overall heading
into next Monday's appearance in the Insight Bowl against Indiana.
When Holder recommended the extension to the Board of Regents, he
defended it by noting Gundy's records in Big 12 Conference play have gone
from 1-7 to 3-5 and 4-4.
"That shows improvement to me," Holder said.
Redshirt junior tight end Brandon Pettigrew has a somewhat different view.
"I can't really say it's better," Pettigrew said of the 2007 regular-season
record, "because 6 and 6 is 6 and 6."
OSU must defeat the Hoosiers (7-5) on New Year's Eve in Tempe, Ariz., to
match last season's 7-6 finish.
In 2006, the Cowboys ended with a 34-31 win over Alabama in the
Independence Bowl.
"We were rolling from the time we got out of the bowl game last year,"
Pettigrew said. "It seemed like the team had a different mind-set going into
this season; that we were going to get it done."
An identical record didn't get it done on the scoreboard. But while Gundy
didn't personally have a good year because of his aforementioned behavior,
the Cowboys improved from fifth to a tie for third in the Big 12's South
Division standings.
"I think it's growing," Pettigrew said of OSU's program under Gundy. "We've
got some good players in here, some quality players, and some people that
represent the program the right way."
Pettigrew redshirted during Miles' final season. But two seniors, defensive end
Nathan Peterson and linebacker Donovan Woods, played for both men and
agree with Pettigrew about Gundy's progress.
"I still think things are heading in the right direction," Peterson said. "Coach
Gundy is such a go-getter. He loves his job and he's very passionate about
it. He's a workaholic who loves the school, so it's not something he takes
lightly.
"With all the things happening here (with new facilities), it's almost impossible
to not see the success coming."
A fifth-year senior who has started games as a quarterback, safety and
linebacker, Woods possesses as much insider knowledge as any OSU player.
"We're a break or two away from being an elite program year in and year
out," said Woods, noting some of the heartbreaking losses OSU's suffered
the past two seasons. "And Coach Gundy is younger, so he probably
understands a little bit more about where some of the guys are coming from
just because he's not that far removed from the game as Coach Miles.
"So I think we're on solid ground."
Because of Woods' extensive experience, Gundy often uses the former
Oklahoma City Millwood standout as a sounding board.
"He's been a good resource of information for me," Gundy said. "He'll tell you
the truth. You can really trust his opinion."
The people who hired Gundy three years ago and continue to support him
better hope Woods' assessment is correct.
OSU officials still have faith in Gundy
By DAVE SITTLER
World Sports Columnist
12/25/2007
STILLWATER -- Mike Gundy made an interesting observation the other day.
He acknowledged that he wasn't ready to be a head coach when Oklahoma
State promoted him to be its football coach.
One game shy of three football seasons later, a lot of people are still
wondering if Gundy is any more capable of being in charge of the Cowboys'
program now than he was when he replaced Les Miles.
There were at least two episodes this season when Gundy embarrassed the
university, raising questions about his leader ship abilities.
OSU officials supported Gundy publicly, but they privately were dismayed
with the lack of professionalism he displayed when he unleashed a
post-game tirade aimed at a sportswriter.
And his refusal to immediately dismiss Chris Collins after the linebacker
pleaded guilty to a felony aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl
was inexcusable.
Six days later, Gundy finally booted Collins off the team. But that was too
late to repair what became a public relations disaster.
So, in less than two months, Gundy blackened both of OSU's eyes by
creating negative publicity that drew widespread national attention, and in
some cases outrage.
"Where I look at where I'm at right now as a head coach, individually, I don't
know why I would have hired me three years ago," Gundy said last week.
"I would just now start to think about maybe hiring me.
"From all the mistakes I've made in trying to get better, in learning how to
deal with the whole picture. . ."
Athletic director Mike Holder and the Board of Regents apparently would do it
all over again if they had a second chance. They said as much when they
extended Gundy's contract after the Cowboys completed a second
consecutive 6-6 regular season with a 49-17 blowout Bedlam Series loss to
Oklahoma.
Sources confirm that Gundy was privately reprimanded for the way he
mishandled the situation with the sportswriter.
He's also been told to be more forthright with the media, an area where
Gundy has repeatedly struggled as a head coach.
And yet he was still given a year's extension, guaranteeing him a contact
through 2013.
That's a pretty sweet deal when you consider Gundy is 17-19 overall heading
into next Monday's appearance in the Insight Bowl against Indiana.
When Holder recommended the extension to the Board of Regents, he
defended it by noting Gundy's records in Big 12 Conference play have gone
from 1-7 to 3-5 and 4-4.
"That shows improvement to me," Holder said.
Redshirt junior tight end Brandon Pettigrew has a somewhat different view.
"I can't really say it's better," Pettigrew said of the 2007 regular-season
record, "because 6 and 6 is 6 and 6."
OSU must defeat the Hoosiers (7-5) on New Year's Eve in Tempe, Ariz., to
match last season's 7-6 finish.
In 2006, the Cowboys ended with a 34-31 win over Alabama in the
Independence Bowl.
"We were rolling from the time we got out of the bowl game last year,"
Pettigrew said. "It seemed like the team had a different mind-set going into
this season; that we were going to get it done."
An identical record didn't get it done on the scoreboard. But while Gundy
didn't personally have a good year because of his aforementioned behavior,
the Cowboys improved from fifth to a tie for third in the Big 12's South
Division standings.
"I think it's growing," Pettigrew said of OSU's program under Gundy. "We've
got some good players in here, some quality players, and some people that
represent the program the right way."
Pettigrew redshirted during Miles' final season. But two seniors, defensive end
Nathan Peterson and linebacker Donovan Woods, played for both men and
agree with Pettigrew about Gundy's progress.
"I still think things are heading in the right direction," Peterson said. "Coach
Gundy is such a go-getter. He loves his job and he's very passionate about
it. He's a workaholic who loves the school, so it's not something he takes
lightly.
"With all the things happening here (with new facilities), it's almost impossible
to not see the success coming."
A fifth-year senior who has started games as a quarterback, safety and
linebacker, Woods possesses as much insider knowledge as any OSU player.
"We're a break or two away from being an elite program year in and year
out," said Woods, noting some of the heartbreaking losses OSU's suffered
the past two seasons. "And Coach Gundy is younger, so he probably
understands a little bit more about where some of the guys are coming from
just because he's not that far removed from the game as Coach Miles.
"So I think we're on solid ground."
Because of Woods' extensive experience, Gundy often uses the former
Oklahoma City Millwood standout as a sounding board.
"He's been a good resource of information for me," Gundy said. "He'll tell you
the truth. You can really trust his opinion."
The people who hired Gundy three years ago and continue to support him
better hope Woods' assessment is correct.