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John Wozniak is No Stranger to OSU’s Program or Fellow Staff

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A lot has changed since John Wozniak first made his home in Stillwater back in 2004. At that time, he was a graduate assistant on the offensive staff under head coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Mike Gundy. Although he was only in Stillwater for one season, Wozniak does not lack for ties to the program.

“Obviously, Coach Gundy was here when I was here last time,” said Wozniak after Wednesday’s practice “so we’ve mildly stayed in touch, not a whole lot but a little bit. I knew Josh Henson, the O-Line coach. I’ve been around Kasey Dunn just through other people that we both know, mutual contacts. I worked with Jason McEndoo at Montata State. So, it’s funny how things play around like that. Obviously, through Todd Monken also, who’s connected to this place.

“So there’s a bunch of random connections that led to this.”

Random to Wozniak, but not necessarily to Mike Gundy, who has been keeping up with his former G.A. from afar.

“What I like about John is that he is a self-made guy who worked his way up and did it the hard way,” Gundy said. “He worked with us here at Oklahoma State and then went on to have success with Les Miles at LSU and with Nick Saban at Alabama. I know him and I know he’s a hard worker and that he can recruit. He’s been with people who I’m close to, so I’ve followed his path along the way and we’re excited to have him back here with us.”

A lot has changed in 13 years. During Wozniak’s first tenure in Stillwater, Boone Pickens Stadium was amidst a rebuild/rebrand and looked a bit different than it does now. The Sherman E. Smith Training Center where he stood answering questions had not even been imagined yet.

“When I drove into town,” said Wozniak “I was like a little kid in a candy store. Just seeing how everything has changed, it was awesome.”

Now, after super recruiter Marcus Arroyo left for a co-offensive coordinator gig at Oregon, Wozniak is back in orange to coach a young, but talented running back group.

One of those backs is junior Jeff Carr who has transformed his body and will be competing with likes of fall newcomers JD King and Chuba Hubbard for a spot behind last years’ Freshman All-American, Justice Hill.

“He’s really cool,” Carr said of his new position coach. “He knows our strengths and he tries to help us getter better every day in whatever way he can.”

Wozniak isn’t worried about sorting out depth charts just yet. He says that will come with time, even with the incoming freshmen that will arrive in the summer.

“My job is to get these guys ready to play the best I can and if the freshmen are able to help, that’s great.”

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