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OSU football: Feeling Young
New coordinator has dramatic impact on defense

OSU defensive coordinator Bill Young has helped lead the Cowboys from ranking 93rd in the nation in total defense last season to 45th this season. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/7/2009  2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2009  10:59 AM
In a profession that requires 80-hour work weeks, and at an age at which many coaches consider retirement, how much longer does Bill Young want to coordinate college football defenses?

"I'd want to do it as long as someone would let me do it," Young said. "I really enjoy coaching."

Young, 63, was asked whether he might continue for 10 more seasons.

"Hopefully," he replied. "As long as I'm healthy and enjoying it, that's how long I want to do it."

Oklahoma State fans should pray for the sustained health and enthusiasm of the Cowboys' first-year defensive coordinator. His impact has been profound.

In 2008, OSU was 93rd nationally in total defense and 52nd in rushing defense. Entering Saturday's 2:30 p.m., ABC-televised Big 12 contest at Iowa State, the Cowboys are 45th in total defense and 13th against the run.

Against the Cowboys, Georgia, Missouri and Texas all were held under the 100 mark in rushing yards.

"Coach Young hasn't indicated anything to us about retiring or anything," OSU defensive tackle Swanson Miller said. "He loves his job. He comes out there every day, fired up and ready to coach."

Said tackle Shane Jarka: "When coach Young tells you something, you want to do well because you respect him and you like him. We wanted to become a better defense, and coach Young has pushed us to new levels."

If Young does remain on the Cowboy staff for a full decade or more, quipped head coach Mike Gundy, "he would eat free at Denny's."

"I hope he coaches for quite a while. He's been great for our program," Gundy said. "I think our defense is playing better. In the last couple of games, we've tackled better. When you play Texas, you get a chance to not tackle very good. I thought our guys tackled fairly well in that game. We're excited about the future in that area."

Commenting on Young's energy level, Gundy said, "He's here at 5:45 in the morning, and I saw him walk out of here last night at 10:52. He's still rolling pretty good. I don't know if I'll be able to do that when I'm 63."

No. 18-ranked OSU is 6-2 overall, 3-1 in the Big 12. Statistically, Iowa State (5-4, 2-3) may be the best ground-game team that the Cowboys face this season. The Cyclones lead the conference in rushing at 200.3 yards per game, and junior running back Alexander Robinson is the individual league-leader with a 101.6-yard average. Quarterback Austen Arnaud also is a rush threat with 434 yards (4.8 per attempt and seven touchdowns).

"I think (Robinson) is really good. If you try to arm-tackle him, he'll run right through you," Young said. "They give you a lot of different formations. They give you some things that you don't normally see."

Considering that he immediately squeezed dramatic improvement from a Cowboy defense that has struggled for years, Young may qualify as this year's best coordinator hire in college football.

An Oklahoma City native and a former OSU lineman, Young was hired by Gundy after having worked for one season at Miami (Fla.).

When Young accepted the OSU position, he did it for a $35,000 cut in pay — from $350,000 at Miami to $315,000 in Stillwater.

After Tim Beckman vacated OSU's defensive coordinator job to become the head man at Toledo, it was Young who initiated dialogue with Gundy.

Young had been a coordinator at the University of Tulsa, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Kansas and Miami. He had never before applied for employment at his alma mater — Oklahoma State.

"I was really excited about the opportunity of trying to come here," Young said. "This is a special place."

Said Gundy: "We were familiar with coach Young, and with him being an Oklahoma State alum, it was intriguing to me. If there are Oklahoma State people who can contribute to our program, they should get the first opportunity to come back."

At OSU, Young inherited a defense that currently has nine senior starters.

"Honestly, we expected to be good," he said. "We have a lot of veteran players. This didn't just happen overnight. The parts were in place."

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

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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Ash, Houston (11/7/2009 6:59:58 AM)
I'm excited to see our Defense in 2-3 years once the kids he develops from day 1 become upper classmen and starters
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omega, Russellville (11/7/2009 3:16:49 PM)
I knew Bill Young was our man from the beginning. Fire Gundy and hire Bill Young.
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BOBO1, (11/7/2009 11:24:02 AM)
Absolutely Ash, if the new players we recruit respond like our current veterans we should have an awesome defense. Match that with Gundy and our offensive coach we will have both a great Offense and Defense. Recruiting is where it all starts. Great facilities, Great coaches, a Winning Team, and Bowl Games all factor in to our recruiting.
 

 
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