Reader Questions: On Trae Young and Mike Boynton

This is a great question, especially when it’s framed in this way and not “your an idiot, stop posting about Trae Young.”

I have many thoughts on all of this, but first I’ll say that no, if Trae Young had scored 48 on Baylor, we would not have posted on it.

In terms of what OU news we do post, our loose guiding principle is that as long as it materially affects OSU in some way (regardless of its positivity or negativity), we post about it. If OU loses its starting defensive end three weeks before Bedlam, we’re probably going to post about it. If Baker Mayfield gets arrested before the season, we’re going to post about it. And if the most popular player in college basketball drops 48 in GIA in an overtime game against OSU, we are sure as hell going to post about it.

I remember after the Bedlam game asking our new beat writer, Luke, if he could get something up specifically on Young because that was going to be a national story. How irresponsible is it of us to not post on something that we literally witnessed in person at an OSU event that is probably going to lead SportsCenter?

I get that some of you who wear orange don’t love it and fundamentally disagree with it, but the reality is that our sports world revolves around well-known figures like Young and Mayfield. They are monstrous news-makers. Our job is to cover them and drive traffic as long as we’re not getting totally outside of our OSU world.

Baker especially was an interesting case. We posted some stuff about him — the flag plant, crotch grab and Crying Jordan — that didn’t affect OSU just because they were all things OSU people were talking about, and we wanted to be at least a lens through which folks saw them.

Have we always nailed it? Nah. We’ve made mistakes in this arena, but if something is interesting or entertaining and it at least tangentially relates to Oklahoma State, we figure we can and probably should be the drivers of that conversation.

Kyle, I’ve tremendously enjoyed your coverage on the defensive coordinator position. Thought I’d chunk a few thoughts your direction.

First, in my humble opinion, Glenn Spencer is an awesome guy with strong character who continues to raise his boys (much more important) and do his job (not as important) in the face of a reality that is incredibly difficult to even fathom: losing a spouse way too young. Unfortunately for the program, he wasn’t good enough as a DC to allow Oklahoma State to win championships.  The young men he shaped will be forever grateful for his guidance as they should be. Hoping his next season of life, whether coaching or retirement or something in between, brings him peace. He certainly deserves it.

If Gundy is serious about not only winning more conference titles, but also winning a national championship on his watch, he needs to absolutely crush this hire.

Secondly, Part of me wants to see Glasgow return to Stillwater. Certainly, coming from TCU, he could recruit Texas, and working under Patterson for years had to be invaluable experience. Surely he could bring what he’s learned back to the Pokes. And yet, coming from OSU means he’s experienced almost no Bedlam success. Like it or not, the path to conference titles and nattys runs through Norman. At what point does the coaching staff’s desire to win championships match that of the fan base? To truly be considered “Big Daddy,” Gundy needs to evaluate himself and whether he will ever have what is needed to win a natty in Stilly. I’m not sure he does. Expecting this is not unreasonable.

Gundy could go with a complete unknown much like he did with Yurcich, but that could be a struggle. It took Yurcich a few years to figure out how to gameplan using a much better class of player than he was used to at Shippensburg.  Also, I think Yurcich has been stunted by Gundy’s meddling. The new DC has to realize that recruiting-wise the D must come close to matching the O. A team of “diamonds in the rough” does not win championships on a consistent basis. Go out and get 3 or 4 4-5* guys each class. It might sound impossible to bring them to Stilly. It’s not. It can’t be. It shouldn’t be.

Spend the money and go get the absolute best you can get. Mike Gundy and Mike Holder have 5 million reasons to get this hire right. Unfortunately, the market, not the trophy case determined Gundys worth. I think he’s worth 4, not 5.  Speaking of Holder, I’m ready to see Weiberg take over. Like, last week.

Finally, If the four team playoff has shown us anything, it is that recruiting matters. Defense wins championships. Always has always will. Also, please for the love of God, get someone who cares more about the FINAL SCORE then points per drive, or points per red zone attempt or any other statistic that tries to make fans feel better about giving up 45 to Kansas State, 44 to TCU and 62 to the Goons. 

There must be a way for the new guy (whoever he is) to construct defenses designed to slow Big 12 spread offenses as well as the more pro-style SEC/Big 10 offenses. Cause that’s what you face in the playoffs. The new DC will need the stones to buck up to Gundy on the lack of tackling in practice. It’s killing us, particularly in the second half of games. Much of Glenn’s schemes will need to be scrapped. The bend but don’t break culture needs to die. Corners and safeties should never play 10 to 15 yards off the man. Stop living off turnovers. Go get them when you can, but They are hit and miss season by season. More important to be technique sound and wrap guys up and make tackles.

More than ready for a defensive renaissance in Stilly. Go Pokes! -Travis

Good, enjoyable rant. I hope Jim Knowles does it for you.