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Play-calling going great for Gundy

 
By DAVE SITTLER Sports Columnist
Published: 10/2/2008  2:07 AM
Last Modified: 10/2/2008  3:20 AM

STILLWATER Everyone who has attended a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium knows they will be serenaded by Toby Keith's "I Should Have Been a Cowboy" as they head for the exits after an OSU win.

There's another Keith tune OSU officials should play every time the Cowboys score: "How Do You Like Me Now? They should crank that to an ear-splitting decibel inside the press box. Not in the luxury suites, but in the area where the sportswriters and broadcasters are seated.

It would be a not-too-subtle way to rub it in to those media members who questioned head coach Mike Gundy's sanity when he took over play-calling duties after offensive coordinator Larry Fedora took the Southern Mississippi job.

It was just five weeks ago that the genius whose picture sits atop this column second-guessed Gundy's move, noting it came at a time when the national trend is for head coaches to surrender play-calling duties to their offensive coordinators.

And it wasn't that long ago that some Fourth Estate members wondered if Southern Miss got the better head coach from OSU's staff. After all, Fedora was wildly popular his last two seasons in Stillwater when his play-calling produced an offense that was both wide open and balanced.

When Fedora left at the end of the regular season, many critics weren't convinced even after Gundy's play-calling was superb in OSU's 49-33 win over Indiana in the Insight Bowl. He had a month to prepare for the bowl, noted the critics, but how would Gundy cope with only a week to prepare between games?

The season is still young, but Gundy has already answered that for this skeptic. OSU is undefeated (4-0), ranked (No. 21) for the first time since 2004 and the Cowboys lead the nation in rushing offense and are fourth in total offense.

Gundy said he never felt any added pressure from those who wondered if he was in Fedora's league when it came to successfully making snap decisions in between snaps of the football.

"I didn't really concern myself with that stuff," Gundy said.

That's because he doesn't have time to concern himself with trivial speculation. In his fourth season as head coach, Gundy has found time management challenging since he got more involved with the offense in 2006.

"My family gets cheated because I get up early Sunday morning and come to work," he said. "Recruiting is now done on Sunday mornings and late at night."

Gundy has been calling plays in college since he was given the green light to audible at the line of scrimmage in four seasons as OSU's quarterback. He honed those skills as the offensive coordinator for four seasons under Les Miles.

But he needed a refresher course on the cutting-edge spread offense Fedora implemented. So he spent most of the past two seasons as an interested observer.

"I got back in there and learned the style of offense and really enjoyed it," Gundy said. "I know I'm having more fun now as a coach than I've had in the last four years.

"And I give a lot of credit to the guys on the offensive staff."

Gundy checked his title at the door when he entered the offensive meeting room. He informed his assistants that everyone is on the same level, and encouraged their opinions and suggestions, even if they differed from his.

"It's not always the most pleasant room to be in," he said. "You have several guys in there that have a strong opinion of what they think we should do in order go give ourselves a chance to move the ball and score points."

The biggest change Gundy has dealt with is the sideline chaos during a game. As an offensive coordinator, he enjoyed the quietness of the press box and the space to spread out his game plan.

"There are a few more distractions when you're on the sideline," he said. "And I'm sure that will eventually wear me out. It may be three years, five or six but that part will probably catch up with me."

It's been opposing defenses that are attempting to catch up with Gundy's play-calling for an offense that's third in the country in scoring, averaging 51.75 points a contest heading in Saturday's home game against Texas A&M.

In "How Do You Like Me Now?" a verse says: "Now that I'm on my way, do you still think I'm crazy?"

Nope. Gundy's play calling has the Cowboys potentially on their way to big things this season, and a whole lot of folks like OSU's coach just fine now.
By DAVE SITTLER Sports Columnist

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COMMENTS 
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9 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (10/2/2008 7:32:10 AM)
A little early to be calling Gundy a genius. That being said, I hope we win another easy game.
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snoop, (10/2/2008 8:51:24 AM)
Let's wait until Gumby is calling plays against a defense that actually can play football. Anyone can call running plays when teams cannot stop the run.

In four games we will be able to see if gumby can run the offense, first test will be missouri
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MexiMike, tulsa (10/2/2008 9:08:18 AM)
Fire Gundy, I don't think anyone is calling him a genius. I think Dave is just giving credit where credit is due...thus far. We'll see how the rest of the season plays out. By the way, will you change your name if OSU goes 9-3 this season? Just curious.

Snoop, you simple-minded fool. I see you rag on OU articles and OSU articles alike. Are you a TU fan then? Maybe even a UT fan? Or do you just like to criticize because it gives you a tad more self-confidence? Last I checked, Troy hung in hard with Ohio State until the 4th quarter and Houston just got done beating a ranked East Carolina. Not that this or any other factual evidence makes a difference in your negative fantasy world. My guess is if OSU beats Mizzou you'll be on here spewing that "Mizzou's defense is a joke, let's see how Gumby does against..." But hey, whatever helps you sleep at night.
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Jimm, (10/3/2008 1:15:15 AM)
To "Fire Gundy", will "We" see you at the game Sat or are you a Sooner in orange?
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FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (10/3/2008 7:43:54 AM)
Jimm- I was at the last 2 games, but will unfortunately miss A&M this Saturday. And no, I will never, ever, be a Sooner. But I think applauding Gundy for his play calling right now is hilarious.
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MexiMike, tulsa (10/3/2008 8:49:32 AM)
But will you change your name if we go 9-3 this season?
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FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (10/3/2008 10:18:44 AM)
9-3? I guess what your asking is would I change my name if we beat Tech? Haha

Yes I suppose I would. I think reality is an 8-5 finish counting the Weedeater Bowl, which is still better than I thought, honestly. Let's see how they do. We certainly have the talent, at least on the field anyway.
Report Comment
osugrad10, (10/3/2008 12:54:19 PM)
Snoop,

What is your obsession with posting something negative toward OSU after every story? I'm surprised you even get Internet connection in your mobile "home" park. But give us a break, we don't bad mouth UO after every story written about them. If you have a problem with the unbiased Tulsa World sports media, go read the Daily Oklahoman.
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snoop, (10/6/2008 10:10:47 AM)
osugrad---

Did you go thothe A&M game? I was correct Gumby's play calling came into question, as a matter of fact it was bad. Luckily the A&M offense handed us 3 touchdowns
 

 
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