Is Dana Holgorsen a short-timer with OSU?
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Friday, September 10, 2010
9/10/10 at 9:48 AM
Oklahoma State football fans might be justifiably concerned with Dana Holgorsen's domestic situation.
After becoming the Cowboys' offensive coordinator in January, he didn't buy a place. He didn't even rent a place.
His home in Stillwater is a hotel suite.
"They make my bed for me every day," Holgorsen explained during the spring. "They wash the towels. What more could you ask for?"
Could such a temporary living arrangement suggest that Holgorsen might be a short-timer at OSU?
The 39-year-old Holgorsen is a single man. It wouldn't take him long to pack a bag and glide from A to B. He also is an ambitious man who has head-coaching aspirations.
OSU has played only one game with Holgorsen calling the shots, but there are signs - like eight offensive touchdowns and 544 total yards in last week's 65-17 bashing on Washington State - that he might get the same type of dynamic production from the Cowboy offense that he got from the Houston offense in 2008 and 2009. Last season, Houston led the nation in total offense, passing yards and scoring.
The Holgorsen of today could be viewed as being more viable than the Holgorsen of a week ago.
Against Washington State, OSU rushed for 291 yards (Kendall Hunter himself had 257). No one expected that from a Holgorsen offense that is a derivative of the Mike Leach-Texas Tech Air Raid. If OSU consistently gets impressive yardage and scoring totals, Holgorsen will have been a factor in prolific offenses at OSU, Houston and Texas Tech. And by unveiling run-game flexibility, he shows that he's not a one-trick pony in the passing game.
Who knows? Maybe Holgorsen will coordinate the OSU offense for several years. Then again, if the Cowboy attack becomes a statistical phenomenon, he could be a hot candidate for head-coaching positions or mega-dollar coordinator jobs.
Southern Cal pays more than $1 million to its defensive coordinator, so it seems plausible that another school could decide that Holgorsen's 50-point, 500-yard credentials command a comparable sum. At OSU, he makes $360,000.
If Cowboy fans like what they see from the Holgorsen offense, they'd better savor it while it lasts.
OSU Three Storylines
A look at three things to watch in Saturday's Troy-OSU contest:
Weeden's thumb: If you've ever injured a thumb, then you know it hurts when any pressure is applied. Turn a doorknob and you've got pain. Twist open a water bottle and there's a twinge. Imagine having a sprained thumb and then gripping and passing a football about 40 times. There has to be discomfort, and that's what OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden faces on Saturday. His right thumb was banged on a Washington State helmet last week, and now he competes against the more athletic Troy Trojans. The condition of Weeden's thumb should be evident after a few passes on Saturday.
Inexperienced interior: Each of the OSU defensive tackle starters was injured last week. Shane Jarka (knee) has undergone surgery and won't play against Troy. Chris Donaldson (ankle) is expected to try but likely would be limited. Getting significant playing time against Troy are three inexperienced, undersized tackles - sophomore Nigel Nicholas, redshirt freshman Anthony Rogers and first-year Davidell Collins. Eternally optimistic coordinator Bill Young says he expects a quality performance from each of the young tackles.
The other receivers: With eight catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns, OSU sophomore Justin Blackmon had a breakout performance last week. He averaged 15.6 yards per reception. The other Cowboy wideouts averaged 8.3. Will other receivers - like Josh Cooper or Tracy Moore or Bo Bowling or Isaiah Anderson - step up as additional guys who can stretch the Troy defense, make big plays and score touchdowns?
Original Print Headline: Is Holgorsen a short-timer?
Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Dana Holgorsen walks with OSU quarterbacks at an August practice. ZACH GRAY/Tulsa World
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