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Oklahoma State Football

A Follow-Up From the Bowl Loss, Simple Explanation and Cure Doesn't Mean Firings

December 28, 2022
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – First, I want to thank all of my friends out there in the media, some out of work and some working, and friends from social media, some from Oklahoma State and many from south of Stillwater who want to give me way too much credit.

I’ve been alerted that I’ve been labeled a “Mike Gundy mouthpiece”. I’m pretty sure in my many discussions with the Oklahoma State head coach, he has never asked me to perform that duty.

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A Follow-Up From the Bowl Loss, Simple Explanation and Cure Doesn't Mean Firings

7,291 Views | 42 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by PaloDuroPoke
DontTreadOnPete
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Our off lines troubles aren't new though. The O-line hasn't been a strength in 10 years. Some years we've been able to patch up the line enough to be serviceable, but other years not. We've relied on a mobile QB to cover up the deficiency of the line. Depth/injuries are always used as an excuse, but recruiting, retention, and player development are all part of coaching. If the current o-line coach could fix the problems he would have done it by now.
rcfb
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"Now the scheme, the zone if more difficult as it produces few attractice angles to open up holes and with the backside cut block on the linebacker no longer legal that scrapping linebacker will make the play close to 50 percent of the time on zone runs. "

I read this line and my head is spinning.
PaloDuroPoke
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Don't disagree with the o-line taking the brunt of the blame but it's getting old Robert. This offense relays on a mobile quarterback that provides rush yards and is accurate on throws. Our passing attack without Sanders has been as bad as our rushing. Take one great effort on a screen for 82 yards last night and everything else was equally terrible. To solely blame the o-line is just not being honest. They aren't good but neither was our QB who had time and open receivers and missed badly. Neither was our play calling which is predictable. It's been this way all year and Sanders masked the problems with his skill. We better do more then change our blocking scheme next year or it could get ugly. Just my opinion.

PS - we have two backup linemen go in the portal last year that are at SDSU (all conf) and I'm watching one dominate with Tech against a mighty SEC opponent. I'm just saying there's more then scheme blocking issues with our offense. Real evaluation needs to happen by our head coach. I'll trust his ability to do that but it starts with honestly and accountability on all levels. That's his job. He's proven he can and has earned the right to make the right decisions. Go Pokes.
eddy.mcdaniels
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Program is stale and will remain stale without a staff shakeup.
aggie1
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THe SDSU player is playing in the WAC-enough said. If you think Mills at TT is dominating, you aren't watching the same guy I am. Big but feet in concrete.
10 years is a bit of an overstatement. There are players in the NFL as well as on rosters and practice squads.
Jenkins NFL
Johnny Wilson
Marcus Keyes
Crabtree NFL
Salako NFL
Lundblade
Wilson
etc
PaloDuroPoke
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Looks like they are not having trouble moving the ball Aggie. Running all over the field and mostly behind the right side. He has started all year and improved as they go. Our former third team tackle is starting on a 3rd place big twelve team. WAC nuff said? Pay attention. The bottom line is there's no lack of talent on the line. There just no offensive continuity and very little plan. A little enthusiasm and excitement might help as well.

Those were good lineman. Watched them all play for high energy, exciting offenses that had great players around them. Tough and disciplined linemen. Coached to be physical and aggressive. Great offensive TEAMS. What do these guys have in common with this group? Um nothing but ok. We will grow up and improve
Pokes4158
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Everyone knew a piece like this was coming. Making no excuses but making excuses. Small changes needed and doesn't mean anyone needs fired? Y'all get ready for a rough year next year
CaliforniaCowboy
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aggie1 said:

THe SDSU player is playing in the WAC-enough said.
San Diego State plays in the MW, not the WAC... you know, same as Boise that dang near blasted us, and Air Force that dismantled Baylor unmercifully.

Remember that MAC lineman we had last year who started at Center for us? How about Saliko from UAB who started at tackle for us? And the kid from UNLV that we have coming in.

yeah, that's right, let's belittle the other conferences out of ignorance. WAC? SMH, that says the most about the content of your post.
Joe Khatib
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aggie1 said:

THe SDSU player is playing in the WAC-enough said. If you think Mills at TT is dominating, you aren't watching the same guy I am. Big but feet in concrete.
10 years is a bit of an overstatement. There are players in the NFL as well as on rosters and practice squads.
Jenkins NFL
Johnny Wilson
Marcus Keyes
Crabtree NFL
Salako NFL
Lundblade
Wilson
etc
This no time or place to be bringing logic and sanity into a conversation when we are trying to burn it all down!!! (That is sarcasm in case you couldn't tell). I personally would like to see some of the schemes we used back a number of years ago incorporating the G block which you see a lot in the Big 10 and some in the SEC. Also, the new rules with regards to blocking do make it more difficult to execute the zone schemes as Robert pointed out! This group was decent at pass pro but just didn't seem TOUGH ENOGH when it came to executing the ground game! My prediction is you see Brooks and two to three new starters on the O line next year!
Duke Silver
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Mesh routes and running backs in the flats would help but we like the fades and deep posts
TUSKAPOKE
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Gundy is the $7.5 m/yr CEO. He is responsible for performance. He is responsible for results. He is responsible to make whatever changes are necessary for success. It has been 11 years since the conference championship. Six inches against Baylor or 11 years still means one in 18 years at the helm. I like Mike and know this is the "Golden Age" of OSU football which is saying what? Our expectations are too low or be satisfied with three conference championships in 110 years? What are the expectations? Having a winning record and going to a bowl game? We are doing fine then. My expectations are higher as they should be for the administration, Gundy and us the fan base, supporters and ticket buyers. CEO's must fix problems or they are the problem....recruiting...talent underutilized...talent over valued...assistant coaches over valued...in game adjustments issues....offensive scheming.... Many of the problems we are seeing this year have been around for a decade. Fix it or move on. Gary Patterson did not fix it at TCU. TCU moved on to the CFP.
72Cowboys
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RA... Too many 'fans' believe 2022 is the new normal for oSu. But they must have some form of memory loss. Didn't we play in the Big 12 Championship game just last year? And how many of those players on that team are in the NFL? And how many on this current team started or played for the first time? Perhaps this article or one of a similar nature needs to be public. Just a thought. Thanks for you all you do.
TUSKAPOKE
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No memory loss from this fan and supporter.
72Cowboys
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Perspectives!

Here is a challenge for someone with a lot of time:

1 - Tally the total number of plays in their college career by our 22 starters in Tuesday nights game. And then do the same for a team in the playoffs.

2 - Calculate the average age of our starters with those starters in the playoffs.

This is not to be considered an excuse... but could provide some perspective.



MycatToby
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I'm aligned on the line being a huge problem, but this feels like an attempt at "hey look over here at this problem" instead of addressing that Rangel looked absolutely terrible. I actually thought he played quite well vs KU and was willing to cut him all the breaks for WVU weather… but he had a month to prepare for that game and he looked completely overwhelmed, in fact he looked a bit like Bambi. And just to address the run game real quick, with the exception of the needing improved personnel, it sounds like everything you said can be solved by coaching changes.

Also, I think it's worth mentioning RA's roles as the official OSU sideline reporter for radio broadcasts and work he has done with OSUMax when we question his chumminess with the coaching staff. The Gundy mouthpiece tag is deserved.
principalg
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If it doesn't mean firings, we are in big trouble! Actually, I thought there should have been firings last year. We got to the goal line twice in the 4th quarter against Baylor and could not punch it in. I placed the blame for failure in that game squarely on Dunn and Dickey!!
If the head coach is not willing to make changes, maybe he needs to be on the chopping block.
Inquisitor
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All good points. If you can't run, you probably can't throw.

It wears down your defense which limits their performance.

Can someone please explain to this baseball player (me) why in at least 2 games, we take 2-3 timeouts into the locker room at halftime and let our defense wilt on the vine with minutes left? We did it against Wisconsin which arguably cost us a touchdown.
NJAggie
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Well something substantial needs to be done with the O-line. I agree we had some injuries that made it worse, but the line was only marginal when it was at its best. And, that's been an issue for the last several years.

I don't care if they fire or hire, but the line has to be fixed, and if that means retooling the run scheme then get it done.

The issues with QB I think lie there not with the QB's. Give the kids a viable run scheme, and enough time for plays to develop so we're ahead of the sticks and not in predictable territory. And, that is where we've been most of the last several years.

I'm hoping we have a primary receiver (or 2 as we've had in the past) emerges next year as we have missed having that game breaker and problem for the D.

I think we're good on D, with just better game planning so we don't dig holes then shut people out in the 2nd half. shut people down the whole game. Still most of the D failures this year had a lot to do with the Offense being a no show and doing more harm than good.

Again I don't know the answer on staffing maybe fire them all, but if its that or keep them all things do need to be fixed.
Vonrocky
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Robert, you, the coaching staff, Gundy and all the fans know what the problems are with the offense. It is the presses job to ask Gundywhat he is going to do about it.
What is he going to do about it? It's been going on for years with the offensive line enough is enough we're tired of it. I know you can not ask Gundy what he plans to personally do to improve the offensive line because you will immediately lose your locker room access which we all enjoy but don't criticize the press for doing their job! Gundy has to get more involved in recruiting, and coaching! NO more excuses, no explanations, no more changing the subject in press conferences.
gary121853
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RA, you called for OSU fans to be 'respectful and classy' ....yet, ..conveniently, said nothing about Gundy in your article ...was he respectful & classy with his response? Of course not, but hell would freeze over before you would point that out.
OSUgary
Justapoken
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Did RA not point out that he did not agree with the choice of words?
gary121853
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Justapoken said:

Did RA not point out that he did not agree with the choice of words?


No, RA did not. RA took a paragraph to point out the misdeeds of Reporter and not 1 sentence to point out the inappropriate respones of Gundy
OSUgary
PaloDuroPoke
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I'm not close enough to say one way or another if there is a weak link that needs to be fired. It's all about communication and accountability. Coach Gundy is the CEO and the buck stops with him. The expectations for his coaches comes from him and accountability if they don't get it done has to come from him as well. From the outside looking in, he can't be happy with his offensive staff the last several years. This includes recruiting, player development, scheme, and player performance. If you were Gundy how would you rate the following considering the good with the bad. Consider the last 3/4 years.

overall offense - D (offense in decline for a number of years, schemes predictable, energy low, recruiting ok, need to develop an attitude of physicality/trust/toughness)

QB - C (love sanders but if things were good he wouldn't be leaving, needed to engage and prepare backups at a higher level, development and recruiting good)

OL - D- (problem for too long, no toughness, no run game, recruiting and keeping players an issue, Development an issue, injuries are systemic and not occasional)

Cowboy backs - F (obviously they aren't blocking, not getting much on receiving end, poor recruiting, poor development, poor results)

Receivers - A- (these guys have been good, Dunn needs credit recruiting and developing this group, carried this team for years, currently young but lots of talent, a visible difference in decreased blocking and winning 50-50 balls since Dunn has been elevated to OC)

Running backs - C- (we've been very dependent on transfers bailing us out, recruiting misses more often then wins, love Ollie hope he gets going, average blockers, our toughest back just transferred, with our history we should have the top talent wanting to come here, not close to where it's been)

Just my grades so don't take it personal. Just the way I'd grade the performance and direction. My opinion is Coach needs some adjustments in staff or to gather some butt and let folks know there better be vast improvement.

If I'm Gundy for a day,
I'm giving up on the Cowboy back experiment. Decide what you want to do and recruit bigger receivers that can block (doing this) and fullbacks. Don't need a coach to get the results we are getting.

Secondly, I need Dunn more focused on receivers. Co-coordinator passing game with emphasis on this group.

Hire a play caller. Someone with some moxie that gets kids excited. Has imagination and schemes opponents. Gundy needs to lose the attitude of "this is what we do regardless". People have figured it out.

Ol and RB coaches need to be put on notice. Vast improvement or they are gone. I have no problem replacing them but I'm ok with Gundy raising the bar and giving them a chance to turn it around. I see a movement for tougher players in recruiting this class. Maybe a plan is in place.

Remember this is just opinion. Just an exercise of total fiction. Obviously we don't know what Gundy knows. We don't see the problems and successes daily. Give him a chance to fix this. He has earned the right.

I am concerned with the stoic attitude of Gundy. I want to see as much fire on the field as he has with reporters. It was a dumb question but he let him know what he thought. I look at the coaches in this league and see passion, balls to the wall game day energy, players excited to play for them. We need to find this energy and excitement. In the era of transfers and NIL. I think this may be even more important. I think kids want their coach to get fired up. New day, different type of kid. Let loose a little coach. I'd rather go down swinging then the total boring display of offense we watched this year.



Eclectic
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^^^^ This 100%! ^^^^
Orangeheart72
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I'm not knowledgeable enough to argue schemes or say Gundy needs to switch coaches. But whether it's schemes, injuries, experience, players, coaches, coaching or whatever combination percentage wise of those factors....... there's been changes showing up in this league at TCU, KSU, KU, Texas Tech and UT over the last 2 or 3 years that are changing and/or have changed the look of the conference.
And this year it certainly didn't appear OSU was on a similar course regardless of reasons. Additionally, two of our previous competitors for #2 behind Oklahoma of ISU and Baylor likewise appeared to falter. KSU and TCU seemed to be making the right decisions to be (new) leading teams in new Big XII.
So I hope HCMG can make quick, needed meaningful changes as it doesn't take long to become lost as a national brand when you're an OSU, Arkansas or Leach's Texas Tech type of team IMO. Then the climb back to even a consistent winner becomes much harder.
NJAggie
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gary121853 said:

Justapoken said:

Did RA not point out that he did not agree with the choice of words?


No, RA did not. RA took a paragraph to point out the misdeeds of Reporter and not 1 sentence to point out the inappropriate respones of Gundy
So I guess you can only read one paragraph. Because here's paragraph #2.

"I've been alerted that I've been labeled a "Mike Gundy mouthpiece". I'm pretty sure in my many discussions with the Oklahoma State head coach, he has never asked me to perform that duty. My guess is it pays pretty well. So, if offered, I'd have to consider it. My story after the loss had nothing to do with Mike Gundy's reaction. By the way for Gundy, I thought it was reserved, but I would not have used the term "ass", nor would I have advised Gundy to use it. That would go in the category of two wrongs don't make a right."
Duke Silver
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NJAggie said:

gary121853 said:

Justapoken said:

Did RA not point out that he did not agree with the choice of words?


No, RA did not. RA took a paragraph to point out the misdeeds of Reporter and not 1 sentence to point out the inappropriate respones of Gundy
So I guess you can only read one paragraph. Because here's paragraph #2.

"I've been alerted that I've been labeled a "Mike Gundy mouthpiece". I'm pretty sure in my many discussions with the Oklahoma State head coach, he has never asked me to perform that duty. My guess is it pays pretty well. So, if offered, I'd have to consider it. My story after the loss had nothing to do with Mike Gundy's reaction. By the way for Gundy, I thought it was reserved, but I would not have used the term "ass", nor would I have advised Gundy to use it. That would go in the category of two wrongs don't make a right."
Look guy, we have a narrative to form here.
lobsterbake24
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Robert will always kiss Gundy's ass.
gary121853
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NJAggie said:

gary121853 said:

Justapoken said:

Did RA not point out that he did not agree with the choice of words?


No, RA did not. RA took a paragraph to point out the misdeeds of Reporter and not 1 sentence to point out the inappropriate respones of Gundy
So I guess you can only read one paragraph. Because here's paragraph #2.

"I've been alerted that I've been labeled a "Mike Gundy mouthpiece". I'm pretty sure in my many discussions with the Oklahoma State head coach, he has never asked me to perform that duty. My guess is it pays pretty well. So, if offered, I'd have to consider it. My story after the loss had nothing to do with Mike Gundy's reaction. By the way for Gundy, I thought it was reserved, but I would not have used the term "ass", nor would I have advised Gundy to use it. That would go in the category of two wrongs don't make a right."
So, I guess you did not read my post closely enough. I am referring to RA's 1st article, not the 2nd article as you do where RA attempts to correct himself. How do you write an initial article speaking to the fan's about 'respect and classy' and completely miss applying the same standard to the HC ? It happens because RA is a mouthpiece for Gundy and does not want his livelyhood 'threatened' like the other reporter. Why doesn't RA stand up for his fellow media professional. Not until his other media contacts criticized him for not doing so, did RA even attempt to correct himself and even then RA only spoke to the vulgar term ... not, the threat Gundy issued to RA's fellow media professional. IMO, RA will not hold Gundy or himself accountable
OSUgary
# old 56
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The head coach is burnt out, he needs to retire. It is all on him. He has called plays since Monken left. Don't let the ship sink because of one man. He hasn't built the program, millions of donated dollars did. ESPN, NIL, the portal, and super conferences have ruined college football, but OKLAHOMA STATE is greater than all that. GO POKES!!!!!!
Joe Khatib
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Duke Silver said:

NJAggie said:

gary121853 said:

Justapoken said:

Did RA not point out that he did not agree with the choice of words?


No, RA did not. RA took a paragraph to point out the misdeeds of Reporter and not 1 sentence to point out the inappropriate respones of Gundy
So I guess you can only read one paragraph. Because here's paragraph #2.

"I've been alerted that I've been labeled a "Mike Gundy mouthpiece". I'm pretty sure in my many discussions with the Oklahoma State head coach, he has never asked me to perform that duty. My guess is it pays pretty well. So, if offered, I'd have to consider it. My story after the loss had nothing to do with Mike Gundy's reaction. By the way for Gundy, I thought it was reserved, but I would not have used the term "ass", nor would I have advised Gundy to use it. That would go in the category of two wrongs don't make a right."
Look guy, we have a narrative to form here.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, yeah NJ Aggie get with the program it's all about getting the narrative going!
gary121853
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IMO... there is no acceptable scenario in which it's OK to call someone an 'ass' and 'threaten' them.... period!

If Gundy 'thinks' that is OK and OSU media relations and RA included .... that is a problem and doubt Gundy would support that position as part of his beloved 'Cowboy Culture' ...

RA produced the most 'milk toast rebuke' of Gundy it's sickening ... RA attempts to defend himself in the face of criticism from all sides ...

"By the way for Gundy, I thought it was reserved, but I would not have used the term "ass", nor would I have advised Gundy to use it. That would go in the category of two wrongs don't make a right."
OSUgary
Joe Khatib
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# old 56 said:

The head coach is burnt out, he needs to retire. It is all on him. He has called plays since Monken left. Don't let the ship sink because of one man. He hasn't built the program, millions of donated dollars did. ESPN, NIL, the portal, and super conferences have ruined college football, but OKLAHOMA STATE is greater than all that. GO POKES!!!!!!

How much have you had to drink today? Have you started imbibing for New Years a little early!!!!!!!!
Richard Kunze
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Hey lobsterbake24, if you're offended by RA's relationship with Gundy there is a simple solution; stop reading the "Pokes Report"!!
PistolD
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If we can block better and have a run threat, who's going to catch passes. Our two slots are the only players that can stay on the field!

We better add physical toughness to our recruiting because we get a hang nail and we're out for a month ! While we're at it, if you're going to keep calling bubble screens make sure we have blockers at wideout too. Stephon Johnson's TD was a result of Brennen Presley and JP Richardson actually blocking somebody.
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