At length and in detail, Gundy addresses issues
Published: 1/4/2008 4:33 PM
Last Modified: 1/4/2008 4:33 PM
By Bill Haisten
World Sports Writer
During a 40-minute teleconference with reporters on Friday, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy addressed a variety of subjects:
* On a Dallas Morning News report that quoted Bobby Reid's mother as saying the Cowboy backup quarterback will not return for his senior season in 2008: "I have not talked to Bobby. I would say it is (accurate) because it's got his mom's quote in there, right? I think it's something that everybody kind of anticipated. He did graduate and he finished. I kind of thought that he would play at some professional level or maybe transfer to a lower school. I think it was kind of understood that it was going to happen."
* Gundy on this week's dismissal of OSU defensive line coach Nelson Barnes: "Coach Barnes was let go because we need improvement in the defensive line area. He and I talked about that, and that's a decision I made. Coach Barnes is a good man. He's been very loyal. He worked extremely hard here. Sometimes, it just doesn't work for whatever reason."
* Cowboy tight ends coach Doug Meacham is expected to be named passing-game coordinator, and wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer is expected to be named co-offensive coordinator. Gundy said that process has not been finalized. Tennessee wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor, who two weeks ago was hired to be OSU's co-oiffensive coordinator, arrived in Stillwater on Friday.
* Gundy acknowledged that OSU junior tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who finished the 2007 season with 35 catches for 540 yards, will solicit draft advice from NFL officials. Pettigrew is expected to make a decision – whether to enter the draft or return for his senior season – within two weeks.
* Gundy was asked about his father, Ray Gundy, who following the Insight Bowl, while on the Sun Devil Stadium playing surface, reportedly directed a profanity-laced tirade at Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel.
On Sept. 22, Mike Gundy fired a now-famous and critical monologue (minus profanity) at Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson.
"Any incident like that, I would prefer it not happen," Mike Gundy said. "I'm not going to scold my father or question him. As you guys know, I'm 40 years old and he's still my father. He probably takes some things more seriously than I do. He probably reads and listens and has his opinion. The last time I checked, we have freedom of speech in this country. His speech may have not come across in a proper manner. I didn't hear it. I only got second-hand information.
"I'm sure he feels the same way about me that you guys do about your children. Would I prefer that it not happen? Yeah. But I can't necessarily control the way other people think or act at times. I think it's all overrated. I think everybody needs to relax."
* Gundy discussed his program's relationship with the media.
"I just think it's all going the wrong direction and ultimately it's going to blow up. I have a difficult time of getting my team to talk to the media. They just don't want to talk to them. I don't like that. I would prefer that they talk to the media. I think it's good for their people skills and it's good for the public to have knowledge. There were times with Bowman and Savage and Pettigrew when I said, 'You guys need to go speak with the media.' They won't do it. I can't make them.
"I wish it could be much better than it is. I think sports journalism now has become so opinionated and not as based on fact. Everybody is trying to write a story to try to be controversial. You have more opinionated articles going out, and then you have players and coaches that don't agree with the opinion. They don't feel like the knowledge is enough. Some guys are very knowledgable and write very fair articles that are opinionated. Some guys write articles because they have a vendetta against a player or a coach. When that happens, it creates bad relationships.
"I've been involved with the media since I was 15 years old. Twenty-five years, and I've only had one incident. I've made mistakes, but for the most part I've tried to give the time, give the interviews. I get upset a few times, but not many for 25 years. . . . My little deal with Jenni (Carlson) led to 2 million hits on YouTube. The opinionated articles – that has led to the friction. . . . People just need to put stuff aside the best they can, including myself, so everybody can get along."
* In 2007, in 11 starts, Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson shattered the single-season school record for total offense. Gundy was asked whether he considers Robinson, who next season will be a junior, a nationally elite quarterback.
"I think Zac is a good football player," Gundy replied. "He's got a long way to go; he needs to develop himself more as a thrower. There were times when guys were open and he didn't hit them. But Zac is very disciplined, tough and has shown leadership skills. The players believe in him. I would not trade him."
* With offensive coordinator Larry Fedora having become the new head coach at Southern Miss, Gundy was heavily involved in game-planning the offense in advance of the Insight Bowl. Gundy called plays during the game. He said on Friday that he will continue to coach quarterbacks next season, and he was asked whether he might call plays on a full-time basis.
"I kind of enjoyed what went on with the bowl preparation and the extra part of it – scripting and being involved in play-calling. I just have to decide whether I can handle it physically and mentally. I don't have that answer yet."
* NCAA rules prohibit Gundy from commenting on or even acknowledging any recruit. Kody Spano, a Stephenville, Texas, quarterback who months ago committed to the Cowboys, now may end up elsewhere. He graduated from high school last month and had planned to attend class in Stillwater during the spring semester.
As of now, no scholarship is available for Spano, so he is exploring the possibility of signing with Nebraska. He briefly considered the University of Tulsa, but has ruled out the Golden Hurricane. Spano has not completely severed ties with Oklahoma State.
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
