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Gundy deserves coaching award

OSU's Mike Gundy has led his team to a 9-2 mark despite a myriad of obstacles. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/23/2009  2:29 AM
Last Modified: 11/23/2009  6:37 AM

 All-Big 12 media voting occurs this week. For overcoming a myriad of obstacles while guiding his team to a 9-2 record, Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy should be the Big 12 coach of the year.

Texas' Mack Brown and Nebraska's Bo Pelini guided their teams to the conference championship game, but neither encountered a fraction of the problems shouldered this season by Gundy.

A few weeks ago, Kansas State's Bill Snyder and Iowa State's Paul Rhoads were hailed as coach-of-the-year favorites. K-State and Iowa State finished the regular season at 6-6 overall. The Wildcats were .500 in conference play.

The Cyclones were 3-5. For the first time in school history — without Dez Bryant and with Kendall Hunter affected all season by an injured foot — OSU has recorded six conference victories. Gundy deserves the award.

OSU offensive tackle Russell Okung, cornerback Perrish Cox and running back Keith Toston should be unanimous All-Big 12 selections. Okung is the league's best left tackle and is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick.

Cox, who scored on a 67-yard punt return against Colorado and broke a 74-yard kickoff return against Georgia, leads the nation in passes defended with 19 (four interceptions, 15 break-ups).

Since Hunter was injured in the Sept. 12 loss to Houston, Toston has been Oklahoma State's most valuable player. Entering this week's Bedlam game at Oklahoma, he has rushed for 1,130 yards (5.5 per attempt with 11 touchdowns). In Big 12 play, he leads the league with a 121.4-yard average. K-State's Daniel Thomas is next at 104.0.

Texas' Colt McCoy will be the All-Big 12 first-team quarterback. OSU's Zac Robinson, with stats comparable to anyone's in the league, could be the second-team pick. Linebackers Patrick Lavine (five interceptions), Andre Sexton and Donald Booker should get all-conference consideration, as should center Andrew Lewis.

There are no coordinator awards at the conference level. If first-year OSU defensive coordinator Bill Young doesn't capture the Broyles Award, given annually to the best assistant in college football, the award loses all legitimacy. OSU is 31st nationally in total defense and fourth against the run. Young has been a miracle worker.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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11 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Las Vegas (11/23/2009 8:24:34 AM)
Whoa there pardner...
Report Comment
definedego, (11/23/2009 10:50:43 AM)
I agree... there is not another Coach that has been handed more adversity and prevailed through it all than Gundy.

Plus, it would be a great "Stick it to ya" against the NCAA. Suspension for the entire year? Go blow!
Report Comment
Ash, Houston (11/23/2009 10:56:23 AM)
After looking at where team's finished last year, what each has done on the field this year and how they did it...I agree, Gundy should get the award.
Report Comment
C SQUARED , MANNFORD (11/23/2009 1:58:49 PM)
BEAT OU and ill get on this ship!
Report Comment
dice, tulsa (11/23/2009 3:05:07 PM)
gundt would be very deserving of an award ,just think, theyed be pretty close to undefeited right now.i mean you can giveit to him now ,but you will have to bow down next year and give it to him
Report Comment
archeng, Stillwater (11/23/2009 3:46:34 PM)
Gundy deserves it for sure. Beating OU on Saturday proves it.
Report Comment
TK1, (11/23/2009 3:56:49 PM)
I wonder if "Fire Gundy" is ready to retire his screen name yet?
Report Comment
Stomp, Charlotte, NC...not in (11/23/2009 6:29:36 PM)
Agreed...if they beat OU, he's the coach of the year in the Big 12.
Report Comment
Stomp, Charlotte, NC...not in (11/23/2009 6:32:25 PM)
Bill Young is using almost all of the same players last year's defense had...well, actually fewer with the injury losses. Yet, the D looks improved at every position. Just goes to show what a difference a good coach can make.
Report Comment
FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/23/2009 6:42:29 PM)
GUNDY: Big XII coach of The Year!
Report Comment
FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/23/2009 6:43:31 PM)
OU This weekend =HOME SCHOOLED
 

 
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