OSU Hires Bryan Nardo from Division II Gannon University as Next Defensive Coordinator

The question mark at defensive coordinator after Derek Mason’s departure earlier this month has officially been answered as Bryan Nardo, a defensive coordinator who most recently served as the D.C. at Division II Gannon University, was introduced Tuesday as Mason’s successor. Long-time defensive coach Joe Bob Clements, who has coached the defensive line and linebackers, was elevated to co-defensive coordinator. Long-time corners coach Tim Duffie was elevated to defensive passing game coordinator.

Nardo spent the last season at Gannon University as its defensive coordinator after a stint serving as linebackers coach at Youngstown State from 2020-21. Prior to that, he was for eight seasons the defensive coordinator at Division II Emporia State in Kansas.

“I cannot thank Coach Gundy and the rest of the staff enough for their openness throughout this entire process and for trusting me with this responsibility,” Nardo said in a statement from OSU announcing the hire. “I am extremely excited to join the rich tradition of Oklahoma State football. I can’t wait to get to work and continue to build upon all of the great things that have been done here throughout history. I spent eight years recruiting the state of Oklahoma, seeing first hand the amount of pride people have in this university’s athletic programs. There’s no better place to be able to represent.”

Gannon as defensive coordinator has coached his teams to a 71-35 career record in 10 seasons. His one-season stint at Gannon led to the Golden Knights improving their scoring defense (by a touchdown a game), yards per play allowed, rush defense, pass defense and total defense (by about 105 yards a game) from the year prior. That said, it’s not as if Gannon’s defense was lighting it up in the lower ranks last season:

“I’m excited about the addition of the Bryan Nardo as our defensive coordinator,” said Mike Gundy. “He’s a young energetic, bright football coach who brings 10 years of coordinating experience with him. He’s been successful and his innovative system has helped win games everywhere he’s been.”
 
Prior to his time at Emporia State, Nardo spent one season at Missouri S&T where in 2011 he earned Great Lakes Football Conference Assistant Coach of the Year honors. An Ohio University alumnus and graduate of 2008 with a bachelor’s in Sport Management, he also previously served as a graduate assistant with his alma mater coaching nickel backs and linebackers.