The History Of OSU Assistant Coaches Under Gundy And The Consistency He Has Instilled
With the news of Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles interviewing with Illinois for their vacant defensive coordinator position under new head coach Bret Bielema, it appears that there is some misunderstanding among Cowboys fans.
When I tweeted out the news that Knowles was in fact interviewing with Bielema, there were many comments that seemed to think that he was doing so due to “not liking Gundy” or “wanting to leave”. While I do have my own theories on why Knowles took the interview, I do not know for a certainty what his reasons were but I personally believe those two reasons did not play into it.
I wanted to address the idea of saying coaches do not like Gundy or that “he loses coaches” but through more of a statistics lens comparing the Oklahoma State coaching staff to the rest of the country and the kind of culture and sustainability Mike Gundy and staff have built.
Let's take a look at some numbers:
3.8 years.
That is the average tenure of FBS college football coaches, according to BusinessInsider.com.
3.8 years means that, on average, every senior in FBS programs would have two head coaches in their time as a student athlete at that institution. In most cases, this also means they would have new position coaches, analysts and strength coaches throughout their career.
There have been several tweets attached to mine from fans who, for some reason, are speaking as if coaching changes have been a major issue in the Oklahoma State program under Mike Gundy, when the numbers in no way support this.
Have there been coaching changes? Sure, but far less than most programs and the reasons for leaving are primarily for one reason. Career progression. Leaving a positional job for a coordinator position or a coordinator leaving for a head coaching position or a program that can pay more at the same position.
Offensive Coordinators
2020: Kasey Dunn
2019: Sean Gleeson - Move to OC at Rutgers (Pay raise)
2013-2018: Mike Yurcich - Move to OC at Ohio State (Pay raise)
2011-2012: Todd Monken - Move to Head Coach
2010: Dana Holgerson - Move to Head Coach
2008-2010: Gunter Brewer - Move to Assoc. HC
2005-2007: Larry Fedora - Move to Head Coach
Defensive Coordinators
2018-2020: Jim Knowles
2013-2017: Glenn Spencer (previously on staff for 5 years) Was not retained on staff
2009-2012: Bill Young - Fired
2007-2008: Tim Beckman - Move to Head Coach
2005-2006: Vance Bedford - Fired
Every year, there is always a major story or two about how assistants leave on their own due to poor relationships with a head coach or athletic director. Under the tenure of Mike Gundy, this has not been an issue as a major coach has never left on his own for personal grudges or personal reasons.
While 3.8 years is the national average, here is a look at the Oklahoma State coaching staff and how long they have been on staff. You will notice that 9 out of the 11 major assistants are above the national average, some more than doubling it.
None of these coaches are showing attrition in coaching their positions or recruiting them. In fact, there has been consistent growth among both categories up and down the staff.
Kasey Dunn | Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Receivers | Going into 11th season |
Jim Knowles | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers | Going into 4th season |
Tim Duffie | Cornerbacks | Going into 9th season |
Joe Bob Clements | Defensive Line | Going into 9th season |
Dam Hammerschmidt | Safeties | Going into 8th season |
Jason McEndoo | Cowboy Backs | Going into 7th season |
John Wozniak | Running Backs | Going into 5th season |
Charlie Dickey | Offensive Line | Going into 3rd season |
Greg Richmond | Defensive Line | Going into 4th season |
Tim Rattay | Quarterbacks | Going into 2nd season |
Rob Glass | Strength and Conditioning | Going into 27th season overall (2nd tenure) |
So, while looking at the current situation with Jim Knowles and then looking at history, it does not seem that Knowles leaving would do more good for him than bad. He currently makes $600,000 which is a bargain when you look at how much he has done in his three seasons and what the future looks to be.
Would Illinois pay Knowles more than $600,000? And would Knowles be satisfied with the defensive talent at Illinois? I am not sure. Bret Bielema is now making $4.2 million per year, $200,000 more than Lovie Smith was and he his own defensive coordinator. I am not sure if Knowles would receive a very big pay raise, if one at all. It is also extremely rare that a coach of Knowles’ prominence leaves for a lateral position without receiving a decent pay raise.
Whatever outcome takes place, I am sure it will be soon as it normally not long after interviews take place that a decision is made. Pokes Report will be monitoring developments of Knowles and the Illinois coaching search.