Daily Bullets (June 27)

Top Dollar

While Mike Yurcich’s most recent raise would have put him in the range of top 30-money in 2017, it surprised me to see where that money ranked in the history of Oklahoma State Football.

When Mike Yurcich left Division II Shippensburg to become Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator, he was little known and relatively little paid.

He’s now the highest-paid assistant in OSU history. Yurcich will make $800,000 in 2018, according to a report from the Tulsa World’s Mark Cooper. Yurcich made $600,000 a season ago, more than 10 times the $52,500 he earned in 2012, his final season at Shippensburg. [NewsOK]

There needs to be a time value of money calculator to account for salary escalation/inflation in college football… In that case – what OSU assistant should have been compensated their relative-$800k in salary? Dana/Monken are the low hanging fruit on that tree.

The Hand is Quicker than the Eye

When considering the storylines for Cowboy Football in 2018, what draws the most attention?

(Jim) Knowles’ hiring and his progress shifting the Cowboys to his 4-2-5 base defense would be the biggest on-field question most seasons at Oklahoma State.

But this isn’t most seasons, and Oklahoma State must find a quarterback to replace Rudolph. Gundy’s success in Stillwater has been built largely around prolific quarterbacks such as Zac Robinson, Brandon Weeden and Rudolph. And there is — at least as of the end of spring ball — no clear successor to Rudolph. [The Athletic]

Is there a better season for a defensive coordinator to install a new system than 2018? Let’s put it this way – could you imagine the pressure on Knowles’ last season? Slap on a developmental year for the quarterback of the future and we’ve tempered all sorts of expectations for 2018… and set the Pokes up for a serious run in 2019.

OSU and NCAA Notes

CBS has Marcus Smart as the second-best guard on the free agent market….SI piece on the family of Washington State QB who committed suicide is a gut-wrenching, good read….Liked this piece from May on how Big 12 teams have replaced a multi-year starter/star in the past….Boynton doesn’t love the idea of facing off against his alma mater this fall

Good progress on the Jumbotron.

??Beautiful day for a new Jumbotron! ???⬛️ pic.twitter.com/wHymzrbVhB

— Coach Wozniak – OSU (@JohnWozniak2) June 26, 2018

Enjoyed this from the hay-day of OSU Baseball.

⭐️ Legends of Omaha ⭐️@OSUBaseball's Robin Ventura sets NCAA record by continuing 5️⃣7️⃣-game hitting streak!#CWS pic.twitter.com/0rVCFanqvD

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 26, 2018

It was a year for the record books in Stillwater.

What You Missed on PFB

• Boone makes the case that Mike Yurcich is worth his recent raise
• OSU’s top 2019 running back target laid out his timeline for committing
• A solid 2019 linebacker named OSU in his top schools
• Which Cowboys will be hardest to replace on offense?
• Cowboy Wrestling is adding a transfer wrestler

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Five features of a better argument sounds constructive for today’s society
• Appreciated this list of NBA free agents and their best fits (except for PG of course)
• KOC on a Philly team with Lebron and Kawhi was interesting