Most Important People #7 – Brandon Weeden (the coach)

Photo Attribution: Adam Kemp

Who he is: This version of no. 3 is the heady 28-year old who’s experienced half a decade riding buses in the minor leagues. This version is smart and calm and he knows the offense better than any of coaches. This version of Brandon Weeden is indispensable.

What he does: There’s a sense of tranquility when you have the best gunslinger in the country controlling your huddle. The reports of him tutoring Monken on what this offense does are wildly over-reported and mostly not true. Weeden said himself, “I hate the word ‘teach,’ Todd would write down the [plays]. I would just tell him what I was thinking.” (via CBS Sports) But that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? That the elder statesmen of the nation’s best offense (or second best depending on how much Wiz Khalifa Chip Kelly is pumping) is always thinking, two, five, ten plays ahead.

Where he fits in: I think all of you are aware how much vitriol I have towards members of the media who blatently refuse to put “will the Todd Monken substitution for Dana Holgorsen affect your team” questions to bed. But the fact of the matter is that this is a non-issue because of who’s lining up behind center on Saturdays. We don’t have some 18-year old who just came down from the high of attending prom with the hottest girl at his school. Gundy’s running out a seasoned former (and future) professional athlete who sees the bigger picture.

Why he matters: Weeden will smooth over any bumps Gundy’s staff might otherwise experience and because of that this offensive juggernaut will keep going for the jugular. Especially against Baylor.

This post is part of our series on the 20 most important people to a 2011 Oklahoma State title run. Check the full list out here.