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OSU hopes to follow path of OU, Kansas

 
By DAVE SITTLER Sports Columnist
Published: 8/14/2008  2:14 AM
Last Modified: 8/14/2008  3:32 AM

 Remember when Bob Stoops made life difficult for a lot of his fellow college football coaches by winning a national championship in just his second season at Oklahoma?

Stoops' remarkably rapid success had athletic directors and fans at several universities asking their coaches the same question: "If Stoops needed only two years to transform the Sooners from zeros to heroes, why can't you do the same for us?"

After all, they argued, Stoops had no head-coaching experience when athletic director Joe Castiglione wisely gambled that Florida's defensive coordinator was a better fit at OU than several head coaches who lusted for a shot to run the tradition-rich program.

Before Stoops' shocking success, the norm at most schools was to give a new coach at least five seasons to turn a program around.

The timing on that honeymoon period changed dramatically after the Sooners won the 2000 national title, just two seasons after finishing 5-6.

A lot of ADs, school presidents and fans grew impatient, which resulted in coaches getting fired after just their second or third seasons. Some of those canned coaches privately blamed their early demise on the "Bob Stoops Factor."

As the 2008 season approaches, we're seeing a mini-version of that factor. Only this time, it's former Stoops assistant Mark Mangino who is responsible for the heat his peers are feeling.

Mangino, OU's offensive coordinator during that perfect (13-0) 2000 season and magical national-title run, won several 2007 national coach of the year awards after leading Kansas to a 12-1 record and a 24-21 win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

While media members are wondering who will be this season's Kansas, long-suffering fans are asking how a so-called "basketball school" like KU can win 12 games and a BCS Bowl while their favorite football team plods along in mediocrity.

"There has been times," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said, "when myself and our (assistant) coaches have spoken with some of our supporters and that question comes up a lot."

At least Mangino needed six seasons instead of two to rebuild the Jayhawks' program. And many observers felt he was on the hot seat a year ago, after producing just one winning record in his first five years at KU.

Instead of feeling pressure because of Mangino's accomplishments, Gundy has opted to view KU's turnaround as a positive teaching tool in his effort to get OSU on a similar track.

"I think it's a good example of what can happen if a team comes together and works really hard," Gundy said. "I thought their coaching staff did a tremendous job of (convincing players) that you can do just about anything you want to do.

"Obviously, you have to have talent, and good players ultimately are going to win games. But coaches have to put them in that position."

Mangino also had the luxury of a cupcake nonconference schedule, which included home games against Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International. And because KU's in the Big 12's North Division, its schedule rotation with South Division teams didn't include games against perennial league powers OU and Texas.

Gundy and OSU play the Sooners and Longhorns every season, because all three are part of a South Division that also includes upstart Texas Tech and football-crazy Texas A&M.

The Cowboys also have nonconference tests this season against Washington State in Seattle, and a home contest against a Houston team that went 8-5 and 10-4 the past two seasons.

Gundy said OSU "players are well aware of what happened" with the Jayhawks in 2007. The Cowboys got an up-close-and-personal view, as the Jayhawks rolled to a 43-28 win in Stillwater.

"After what Kansas did last year," said linebacker/safety Andre Sexton, "everybody realizes just how close the Big 12 (race) is, and no games are just given to you anymore.

"We're pretty much in the same situation now as they (Jayhawks) were last season. So that gives us more motivation and hope."

KU went 6-6 in 2006, before doubling that victory total a year later. OSU finished the 2007 regular season with a 6-6 record, before defeating Indiana in the Insight Bowl.

"Obviously, (KU) was a great team last year," OSU quarterback Zac Robinson said. "But talent wise, they weren't as good as some other teams that had that kind of success.

"We realize we've got a lot of talent. So, after playing (the Jayhawks) and seeing what they did, hopefully we build on that."

Hey, somebody has to be this season's KU. So why not keep it in the Big 12 with OSU?
By DAVE SITTLER Sports Columnist

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4 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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TMS, (8/14/2008 8:24:22 PM)
OU's 2000 Championship was Luck, Luck, Luck. They've had better teams since. Notice they have not done it since. If Stoops could do it in two years, why not three or four or ten???
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M0n3yman, Skiatook (8/15/2008 1:38:41 PM)
Oh boy here we go another OSU fanboy posting on an OU article. Um when was the last time OSU won a National Championship??? yea..... oh and as i always say, better lucky than good.
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JLT, mohnton (8/15/2008 8:29:51 PM)
if OSU can get any kind of Defense this year they are going to be tough to beat, and that is coming from an OU fan.....
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SixGunSam, (8/16/2008 3:02:55 PM)
We have the talent, the depth, the nicest facilities money can buy, the 2nd highest paid Assistants in the Big XII... all we need is a good head coach.
 

 
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