Mike Gundy Eager to See Who Steps Up in Absence of Rudolph, Washington

Mike Gundy kicked off his 14th spring as the head coach of his alma mater on Tuesday morning.

After a two-hour indoor practice, Gundy spoke about what he was looking forward to in 2018 and how some major staff changes were shaping out.

“I thought it went great,” Gundy said of the helmets and shorts. “Everybody was here and ready to go at 5:55. We actually didn’t start until 6, but there’s always a lot of excitement when you get to come back out and start with football.

“We’ve got so many new guys that I was excited to watch them coach. It was a great experience.”

After a three-plus year run with all-time leaders at both QB and wide receiver, Gundy has some unfamiliar questions that need answered, starting this spring.

But the veteran CEO is confident in the machine he’s built and its ability to develop the next wave of playmakers.

“The culture is what makes us go,” said Gundy. “We’ve got quality young people in the organization that will step up for the departure of Mason (Rudolph) and James (Washington) and Tre (Flowers) and those guys.

“The young ones have seen the way they’ve handled themselves and what they’ve put into this organization. We’ve created that culture that allows us to be successful.”

Assumed QBs 1 and 2 will not be on-hand for the spring. Hawaii transfer Dru Brown will join the team this summer and heir apparent Spencer Sanders is busy making prom plans.

But there are several other key spots that will required guys to step up and for those youngsters involved in spring practice, now is the time to make a push for reps.

“Well we’ve got to find out who the guys are that need to step up and make plays this year,” Gundy said. “We know about Justice. We know about Brailford. It’s always the ‘tweeners’ – the guys that have redshirted or that didn’t play as much last year that have to step up and play 30 or 40 plays in the game – they need to establish themselves in the spring so they can have a good offseason.”

One of the biggest change from this spring to the last 11 is the absence of Glenn Spencer who joined the staff in 2008 and ended a five-year stint as DC following the 2017 season.

His replacement, Jim Knowles, participated in his first orange and black practice on Tuesday, as well. And according to Gundy, the veteran DC is still getting his feet wet with his new team.

“I think he’s doing good,” Gundy said. “He’s getting to know our players and obviously our coaching staff. It’s going to take him some time. When you come in and you haven’t been around the Big 12 and/or even our team – it will take him a little time to adjust and get to know everybody, but I think he’s going to be a great fit.”