Daily Bullets (June 8)

Gushing Over Gundy

An ABC article claims OSU fans like their coach…like top eight in the country “like their coach”.

Cowboys fans would love for Mike Gundy to beat Oklahoma more often (2-9), and the melodrama that is his rocky relationship with billionaire booster Boone Pickens can get old. Other than that there’s not much to complain about in Stillwater. Gundy, the former Cowboys quarterback and Oklahoma native, has a .681 winning percentage since taking over in 2005.

By comparison, Jimmy Johnson and Les Miles combined for a .538 winning percentage in 106 total games at Oklahoma State. Plus, who doesn’t trust a guy with a mullet? [ABC News]

While it’s a completely rational argument, it feels like this isn’t the case. It could be the vocal minority naysaying but in the grand scheme of Oklahoma State football, we’re living in the golden era.

If we can learn anything from our Bedlam brothers, it may be to enjoy that while it lasts.

🙂

Recruiting Mayhem

Rivals.com concludes the Cowboys are the team with the second-most to gain from Stoops’ departure.

The Cowboys have never bested Oklahoma in the team recruiting rankings dating back to 2002, the start of the Rivals.com era, but that streak could be challenged if coach Mike Gundy and his staff can take advantage of the question marks surrounding Oklahoma’s program now.

It will be a challenge – even though Oklahoma State could be phenomenal this season because of its high-flying offense. Out of the six four-star prospects in Oklahoma this recruiting cycle, only one is committed to the Sooners and one to the Cowboys. [Rivals]

Would OSU love to get his hands on a couple of more local four stars? You have to assume so. But we have to keep in mind:

1. A coaching transition won’t upset the apple cart of recruiting that much and
2. Gundy’s relatively unorthodox, system-specific preferences don’t necessarily equate to Rivals.com.

What if he talks too much? Doesn’t love football? Shows up on the wrong list? Nah.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Common factors in winning the Big 12 in football (other than having a coach that’s retired/has been let go)….Karsten got the bronze medal in Oklahoma….The TCU AD said Texas A&M won’t admit it but regrets moving to the SEC….Big 12’s hopes now rest on two guys whose ages don’t add up to Bill Snyder’s (Tom Herman and Lincoln Riley)

Bet he felt like dancing yesterday. 79 days.

Do you feel like dancing today?

It's probably because there's now just 80 days until college football starts. #ComeAfterMe #ImAMan #Im40 pic.twitter.com/w1SKZTAv5L

— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) June 7, 2017

Jawun’s making the rounds, worked out with the Lakers previously.

Projected first round pick Jawun Evans has workouts with Portland June 8, OKC June 9, and Utah June 10, sources told Basketball Insiders.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 7, 2017

Didn’t see that coming- Rickie is 62nd most famous athlete, very impressive.

Who are the most famous athletes on the planet? Check the ESPN World Fame 100 to find out and you will see @RickieFowler at No. 62! #okstate pic.twitter.com/IZf5yK2ajN

— Oklahoma State Golf (@OSUCowboyGolf) June 7, 2017

Stoops Fallout with PFB

• Incredible piece here on respect and Stoops
• How Stoops leaving effects OSU and the league – a new favorite?
• Riley has ties to the air raid and Big 12
• Gundy rises to the third-longest tenure for college football coaches
• All-time Stoops moments in Bedlam

Other Stuff I’m Reading

Preview the 2017 US Open….If the Kings trade their two top-ten picks for a guy who can’t shoot threes….The newest Grisham came out this week, really looking forward to catching it this summer

Bonus: Because we’re “Stoops Retiring Blog” (joke per Southwell) for a couple more days, here’s more Stoops coverage:

• TheBigLead: Stoops won big early, created a complicated legacy with later years
• The Ringer: Stoops brought Oklahoma back
• ESPN: 30 minute pod on how Stoops leaving impacts OU, the Big 12
• New York Times: A pretty well-rounded coverage of Stoops’ tenure
• SportsOnEarth: Bob goes out on his terms
  
• Stoops bought (his second) $2m Chicago home a month ago

And the disclaimer on all the Stoops coverage:

Stoops retiring is one of the 3-4 most important things to happen to #okstate athletics this year. I'm sorry if you're offended by that.

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) June 8, 2017