Three Things to Know about Doug Meacham, Oklahoma State’s Next Offensive Coordinator

Oklahoma State is set to add an alum and former position coach Doug Meacham as its next offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. This comes just eight days after the reported firings of longtime OC Kasey Dunn and defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo.

There will be a lot to unpack about the hire and what it means for OSU moving forward, but here are three quick thoughts on the Cowboys bringing Doug Home.

1. He’s an OSU Guy

This seems to be a bigger deal at OSU than most other schools — and opinions on its importance may vary — but for those that value ties to Stillwater, Meacham checks those boxes.

Meacham was a key factor in two of the best eras of college football ever at OSU — as a player and then as a coach. From 1984-87, Meacham played offensive lineman for the Pokes, protecting quarterback Mike Gundy and paving the way for Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders. Based on that alone, you’d be set for cheese fries and drinks on The Strip for life.

But in 2005, Gundy brought his former teammate back as tight ends and receivers coach and served as passing game coordinator in 2008-09. That coincided with the Zac Robinson-Dez Bryant years and, overall, he was involved with the best offenses in school history, staying on staff through the 2012 season before going to Houston to be the Cougars’ offensive coordinator. Meacham had had stints as an OC at several stops including Jacksonville State, Henderson State and Samford. He originally served as a GA/OL/LB at Oklahoma State following his playing career.

So about as many ties to OSU as Gundy. Do with that what you will.

2. He’s a Big 12 Guy

Regardless of how much that mattered in the past, it may matter even more so now, especially in the age of the transfer portal. Meacham has been all over the Big 12 since leaving OSU in 2013, and that creates a lot of ties for recruiting in this corner of the country, especially in Texas where he’s been in the fertile DFW area for most of that time. Those ties could come in handy both at the high school ranks and in the portal.

And this lands in the territory of potential bonus rather than hiring justification, but he did coach quarterback Chandler Morris for three seasons in Fort Worth. Morris visited Stillwater earlier this week according to a report.

3. A Demotion at TCU?

There is likely to be, if there already hasn’t been, some message board or Twitter consternation over the hire because there always is. One topic I have seen broached is the fact that Meacham was “demoted” from OC to inside receivers coach after the 2021 season. This is true, and we’ll dig into the specifics of how his offense performed elsewhere, but a little context couldn’t hurt.

In 2021, Meacham’s offense ranked second in the league in total offense, but seventh in scoring offense, producing 27.5 points per game. The Frogs went 3-5 under Gary Patterson in the final year of his storied tenure, then continued with Jerry Kill as interim to finish 5-7. When Sonny Dykes took over after Patterson’s departure, Meacham was reassigned to inside receivers coach where he remained. Dykes brought with him Garret Riley, his OC at SMU, and then added Kendal Briles in 2023. So you could look at it that Meacham was demoted (he was, technically) or view it that he was deemed valuable enough as a coach to be retained by a new regime while most of the staff turned over.