Report: Oklahoma State Eying Charlotte Defensive Coordinator as D-Line Coach

The Cowboys are reportedly closing in on adding a former NFL assistant and college defensive coordinator to coach the Pokes’ defensive line.

FootballScoop on Saturday morning reported Oklahoma State is working to finalize a deal with Ryan Osborn, most recently the Charlotte defensive coordinator, to coach the Cowboys’ D-line. Osborne spent the past two seasons coordinating Charlotte’s defense.

Paul Randolph coached the Cowboys’ defensive line this past season. After coming in from Indiana, it was Randolph’s first year with the program after OSU moved on from alum Greg Richmond last offseason. 

Little news has come out of Stillwater regarding position coaches, but reports came Wednesday that OSU was parting ways with offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo.

Before his time in Charlotte, Osborn was a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. He spent the 2021 season as a defensive analyst at Michigan, helping coach a defense that ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense with star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Charlotte went 5-7 in 2024, parting ways with head coach Biff Poggi. The program announced it had hired Ohio coach Tim Albin earlier Saturday morning. The 49ers’ defense gave up 35.1 points and 433.2 yards a game. The 2023 season went better for Osborn’s group, giving up 28.6 points and 374.2 yards a game.

OSU’s defensive front struggled mightily in 2024, ranking 127th nationally in rushing defense and giving up 215 yards on the ground a game. The Cowboys also ranked in the 60s in team sacks, a number that certainly wasn’t helped when Collin Oliver got injured in the second game of the season.