The Coordinator Match-Up for CFP Semifinal, It Has an Oklahoma State Flavor

STILLWATER – Maybe not the best time to point this out since the Twitter world is frustrated with Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy for not being more open with his current coaching staff situation and demanding that he make changes. Over the years Gundy has been consistent on when he makes changes and on going about it his way in making hires. Evidence of thoat will be on display on Saturday night in Atlanta at the CFP semifinal in the Peach Bowl between No. 1-Georgia and No. 3-Ohio State. The Georgia offense is run by former Oklahoma State receivers coach then in a second tenure working under Mike Gundy offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Todd Monken. He will match football chess moves with Ohio State defensive coordinator and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. 

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Monken at the Peach Bowl/CFP Semifinal Media Days is still close to Gundy.

In his second run in Stillwater, Monken followed a popular choice in Mike Leach protege’ Dana Holgorsen who left to become head coach at West Virginia. Monken was not a fan favorite on hiring, but by the time he was done he was one of the most successful Cowboy coordinators helping the Pokes to a 12-1 finish and No. 2-ranking in the country.

Monken left after the 2013 season to become head coach at Southern Miss. He would go on to become an NFL offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay before going to Georgia.

Knowles hiring from Duke was also widely questioned by Oklahoma State fans, but in his tenure (2018-21) he built perhaps the best defense in program history in the 12-2 season of 2021. Knowles would leave after that season to become one of the highest paid coordinators in college football, the highest in Ohio State history at $1.9-million per year. 

There you have it, arguably the architects of the best offense and the best defense for the Pokes that will now square off in the Peach Bowl for a trip to the CFP National Championship Game. 

This season Georgia under Monken is averaging 39.1 points a game, 207-yards rushing, 285-yards passing, and 492-yards of total offense per game. 

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Jim Knowles at the Peach Bowl/CFP Semifinal Media Day.

Meanwhile, Ohio State on defense averages allowing 19.3 points per game, 119-yards rushing, 184-yards passing, and 304-yards of total offense per game. Another strong season for Knowles just over the 18 points and 296-yards his Oklahoma State defense allowed per game last season.

Earlier this season in a battle of former Oklahoma State coordinators, Knowles and Ohio State beat former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator and current playcaller for Nittany Lions 44-31 in a game at Penn State.

It is a fun angle for Oklahoma State fans on New Year’s Eve.