Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy says retaining offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is priority
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
11/09/10 at 6:19 AM
STILLWATER - It is a priority, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy says, for the Cowboy football program to retain Dana Holgorsen as its offensive coordinator.
In Holgorsen's first season on the staff, No. 12 OSU is third nationally in total offense (549 yards per game), scoring (46.3-point average) and passing offense (354 yards per game). During last week's 55-28 victory over Baylor, the Cowboys set school records for total offense (725 yards) and passing yards (435).
At some point, Gundy predicts, the 39-year-old Holgorsen will get an opportunity to become a head coach. Until then, Gundy adds, OSU does not want to lose Holgorsen to a coordinator's job elsewhere.
Holgorsen might be positioned for a potentially substantial pay increase.
"I want to make sure that he is taken care of," Gundy said on Monday. "And then ...we're going to do everything we can to help him when he wants to become a head coach. There's no question in my mind that he can leave here and be a head coach.
"I don't know how many jobs would open this year, but if we do well on offense next year ...(head-coaching offers) would probably start for him next year."
When Holgorsen moved to OSU after two seasons at Houston (where he achieved comparable success), he was given a three-year contract worth $360,000 a year. The Cowboys' other coordinators - Joe DeForest on special teams and Bill Young on defense - also are paid $360,000 annually.
With the expected return of quarterback Brandon Weeden, wide receiver Justin Blackmon and all five offensive-line starters, "I fully expect to be even better next year," Holgorsen said.
"... It would be extremely fun to be here next year and see this thing progress as planned.
"I don't know why I'd want to start over (as a coordinator at a different school) when this has proceeded quicker than expected. ...Why would you want to start over?"
Gundy, one of seven finalists for the national Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, also addressed his own contract situation. He has five years remaining on a seven-year, $15.7 million deal. Gundy is paid $1.925 million this year and is scheduled to make $2.1 million next year.
"I would be more open to just taking what I have and just adding a couple of years to it and going on down the road," Gundy said. "And I'll be real honest with you - I'm not even into more money. I make enough money, especially in the time we're in right now in the state."
"I have no ambition of leaving here. None whatsoever," Gundy said. "... People do call (in regard to other job possibilities), but I don't entertain any of it. I have faith that the people here ... as long as they treat me fair, I don't have any real desire to do anything else."
Gundy said that he expects to meet soon with athletic director Mike Holder for the discussion of Holgorsen's status and other football-related matters.
"If we have another good year on offense, (Holgorsen's) name is going to start coming up" as a candidate for head-coaching positions, Gundy said. "And then he'll have to make a decision on what job that he wants. It can be another two years here. I think he's comfortable here."
Original Print Headline: Gundy says retainingHolgorsen is priority
Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
