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Mike Gundy's problem: Even when he's right, he's wrong
Published: 1/11/2013 7:26 PM
Last Modified: 1/11/2013 7:26 PM

Here's how you know you had a bad public relations day?

You fire someone whose defense hasn't been in the top 80 in the NCAA in three years, the person who oversees what has been the weakest link of your football team the last two years, and you look like the bad guy.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy parted ways with defensive coordinator Bill Young on Thursday, but the parting wasn't exactly mutual.

If you haven't, you really should read Jimmie Tramel's excellent story on the breakup. (Check it out here).

By most accounts former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Bill Young is a great defensive coach and an even better person.

But it isn't a reach at all to say the Cowboys could use a change on the defensive side of the ball.

If Mike Gundy wanted to take this opportunity to bring in all new coordinators, no one could fault him.

But to alienate a school alumni staff member to the point he's willing to go on the record with the "age" card, well that's mismanagement of the highest order.

This is the thing that gets me about Gundy -- even when he's right, he's wrong.

He deservedly wants a raise after last year's big season, but rather than work it out with the university, he negotiates through the media.

When he gets caught making misstatements about J.W. Walsh's not-so-season-ending injury, he lashes out at a reporter rather than explain what happened.

And when he isn't happy with his control over the football program, his hand in scheduling or his relationship with his athletic director, he courts other job offers for leverage rather than coming to an amicable solution.

I blogged before the season started about how this season would be a good indicator of how well Gundy has grown into the job. (Read that blog here).

The answer is, as I expected -- it's a lot easier to be the charming CEO when you're winning Big 12 titles than it is when you're winning seven games.

Lost in the controversy over Young's firing/departure, is what that departure says about next season.

Next year -- with OSU already being talked up as a Big 12 title contender and national player -- is important. This decision shows Gundy understands that.

You just wish he understood his role in public relations a little better.



Reader Comments 7 Total

Dee-Bo (last month)
If Bill Young is a great defensive coordinator, what makes a bad one? Not being in the top 80 would seem to indicate mediocre at best.
                    
Dr. Strangelove (last month)
You might want to reread the article?
                    
Dee-Bo (last month)
whose defense hasn't been in the top 80 in the NCAA in three years, the person who oversees what has been the weakest link of your football team the last two years,

Bill Young is a great defensive coach and an even better person.

Not sure what I misread.



willige (last month)
All we have really heard is what Bill Young's version of the story is. People who just got fired sometimes hear what they want to hear from what they have been told. I hve sat through this type of thing at our office and when you hear the version the person who was let go has it is totally different that what was said in the office you were sitting in. Maybe Gundy said something like "you are the face of our defense and we need more energy and fire from our coordinator, the guys aren't pumped up to go play." What Young heard was the version in the story about being too old. I am not a fiery guy and i am only 37 Gundy would probably fire me if thats what we wanted to, but because everyone know Young is old they accept that is the version of what was said. Not a lie by Young to say it becasue thats what he thinks is meant but perhaps to Gundy it is a totally different meaning. Has anyone ever heard the statement that in police work an eye witness is often the least accurate evidence? In this case bashing Gundy sells more advertising so carry on.
modoggie (last month)
Bill Young got swift-boated!
hey bartender (last month)
Mr. Peters, your article is on the money.
Danomite Dandy Dan (last month)
_

Story pretty much summed up what I've seen and heard this year. Really not sure why willigee is upset. It's a paper. It's a reporter's view.
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The Editor's Desk

Tulsa World Sports Editor Michael Peters has nearly 20 years of daily newspaper experience. A 1993 graduate of Texas A&M, he worked at papers in Bryan-College Station, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, and Galveston, Texas, before joining the Houston Chronicle as High School Sports Editor in 2008. While in Houston, he coordinated coverage of the 2008 Texas Class 5A state football championships and the 2011 NCAA Men's Final Four.

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Michael Peters
mgpeters23
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@skhanjr Brutal. All Tulsa has to do is hold onto the ball for five seconds and can't do it.
14 hours ago
RT @GuerinEmig: Final word on court storming; It's like autograph seeking. Kids? Have at it. But post-college adults who do it should be ...
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Made it to the Reynolds Center for TU-UH after watching Bedlam on TV. Lets just say the intensity level isn't exactly the same.
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RT @GuerinEmig: #Sooners stretch it to 45-34, #okstate closes to within 45-42. Not sure if Marcus Smart or GIA crowd going to let Pokes ...
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Boone Pickens to Mike Gundy: You got what you wanted. Now you better win more than seven games. http://t.co/EHIOz4CY via @twsportsextra
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