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OSU Connections Add More than Sentimental Value to Mike Gundy’s Staff

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We as humans favor that which is familiar. That old pair of shoes you can’t throw away, your favorite ball cap. They encapsulate a mixture of sentimental value and comfort that’s hard to pass up.

In that same vein, Oklahoma State loves to hire its own. That’s news to absolutely no one who has followed the school for any amount of time. The success of head coaches like Eddie Sutton, Mike Gundy and John Smith are shining examples of why it works. Josh Holliday has added to the case in his few years back home.

It’s a big reason why so many of us bought in to #BringDougHome at least once and why every time a coaching vacancy appears, the top of many lists is inhabited by whatever available former Poke played or coached in that sport at one time or another.

While I personally don’t think a past connection to Oklahoma State should be a prerequisite for a hire — or even a top priority in the vetting process — no one can deny the success that former Cowboys have had in Stillwater.

Mike Gundy, the school’s winningest football coach, has shown a propensity to drawing from his past when making hires, but it’s more than just for the sake of nostalgia. He’s made pretty solid hires when it comes to former Pokes and the proof is in the fit and on-field success.

Following practice last Friday, Gundy spoke glowingly of his latest prodigal Poke, new (additional) defensive line coach, Greg Richmond.

“Greg is an example of what my hiring process should be from this point moving forward,” Gundy said before calling Richmond a “perfect fit” for OSU.

“We have enough guys scattered who one, graduated here or played here when I have coached here, or two, have coached here since I’ve been the head coach here. And I would say that the majority of the coaches that we hire in the future will be from that mold.”

Aside from Gundy — the near lifelong Poke and architect of his “Cowboy Culture” — several other coaches on his current staff either played or coached in orange and black prior to their current stint.

• Richmond was a terror off of the edge during his playing time at OSU, compiling 21.5 sacks from 2000-03. After a three-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was hired by Gundy as an assistant director of strength and conditioning from 2007-08 before working his way up the coach ranks and becoming a touted coach and recruiter.

• Josh Henson was a four-year letterman on Oklahoma State’s offensive line from 1994-97 before joining Bob Simmon’s staff as a graduate assistant in 1999. He was promoted to tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator in 2001 and followed Les Miles to Baton Rouge where held the same title and was a decorated recruiter that helped assembly a National Championship team at LSU.

• Running backs coach John Wozniak got his Division I start as a graduate assistant under Les Miles at OSU in 2004 before following Miles to LSU.

• Defensive analyst Bill Clay was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2001-04.

• Defensive graduate assistant Andre Sexton played safety for the Cowboys from 2006-09.

• Rob Glass was an OSU grad who worked his way up to head strength coach in 1989 under Pat Jones and held that title until being hired by Florida in 1995. Gundy brought back in 2005 when he took over as head coach.

The nostalgia is nice and I think there is something to be said about “fitting” in Stillwater. But I think the warm and fuzzies always give way to the truth. Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State have built a football program that is top notch in a lot of ways, and he’s fostered the careers of plenty of young coaches who have gone on to have success.

If you’re Mike Gundy and you’ve built this machine that continually churns out quality coaches and people you trust, then why not take advantage of it?

 

 

 

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