Mike Gundy on His Dynamic with Different Offensive Coordinators

STILLWATER — The discussion of how offensive-minded Mike Gundy and his offensive coordinator interact has long been intriguing.

Gundy has been an offensive coach since he was 23 right out of college. In 1994, Gundy was Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator in Pat Jones’ final season, just five years removed from Gundy’s time as Jones’ quarterback.

He made trips to Baylor and Maryland as a passing game coordinator before returning to his alma mater to be Les Miles’ OC. He then replaced Miles as OSU’s head coach. Needless to say, Gundy has been coaching teams to score points for quite a while.

It’s made for an interesting dynamic over the years as to Gundy’s interactions with his offensive coordinators. It’s especially an interesting conversation with guys like Mike Yurcich and Sean Gleeson, who came from lower levels of college football to the bigger stage of the Big 12.

On Monday, Gundy said he goes into offensive meetings and tells the other coaches he is a like position coach, just telling them what he sees. He said they can use that information if they want or they can “throw it in the trashcan.”

“As Mike’s career progressed, he learned to throw more of it in the trash,” Gundy said. “Sean probably is a little more into what I have to say.”

Gundy said that’s different from guys such as Dana Holgorsen and Todd Monken. Holgorsen came to OSU after serving as Houston’s OC. Monken’s 2010-11 stint at OSU came after being the Jacksonville Jaguars receivers coach. Monken had previously coached alongside Gundy on Miles’ staff.

“Dana didn’t care what I said,” Gundy said. “Monken and I traveled to Vegas together 20 years in a row, so he didn’t care what I said. But because of Mike (Yurcich) and Sean’s level, I think there is a little more input.”

It makes sense as to why a newcomer to this level of football would listen to Gundy. For one, he is the boss, and his coaching career has been filled with dominant offenses.

As far as the in-game dynamic with Gleeson, Gundy said he’ll make some suggestions, but it’s up for the OC to decide whether to use it or not.

“I’ll throw out five or six things because I don’t have to think like he does,” Gundy said. “He has to think fast all the time. So, I can take more into account, and every once in a while, I’ll say, ‘Hey, we might think about this,’ or, ‘Every time we’ve done this, we’re plus eight.’ I’ll throw stuff out. Sometimes they take it, sometimes they don’t.

“I don’t say anything unless I’m pretty sure it’s gonna work. I like to be able to say ‘I told you so.’ I’m usually pretty hesitant until I know if it’s really gonna work.”