Watch: Mike Gundy Talks Offseason and Hiring New Coaches
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach, Mike Gundy, met with the media on Thursday to discuss a number of things, including the offseason, the transfer portal and hiring an entirely new coaching staff.
Coach Gundy talked for more than 30 minutes, so we included more than half of the availability, beginning with his opening statement, which you can read below.
“It’s been about as busy a seven weeks as I’ve had in probably my life much less just my career in coaching. But it’s been good to a certain extent. It’s been fun. It’s been interesting. We went through a period of, I think, the number was 44 visits in 17 days, players coming in and out. And we were able to gather 32 new players, I believe, that are on our roster right now. When we get started in June, that number could go to 45 real quick. So essentially a third of our roster as you guys know from following. Getting to know the staff and staff getting to know the players, players getting to know each other and the system and so on and so forth and getting adjusted to the culture. It’s been a learning process, but it’s been good. So, we’re starting to get our bearings a little bit with the coaches and them all getting moved and getting to this part of the country, players getting adjusted a little bit. They’re in, gosh, I guess now going into the third week of preparation and getting ready for spring ball. So now we’re back on the recruiting trail. Not that that’s ever changed, but what would be the typical recruiting trail for high school players. That has started now as well as the portal still going on. What’s left in the portal.
“So, we’re working hard every day moving forward gets a little bit easier. Every day we get a chance to meet with the players and get to know each other, and we’re excited about what would be spring ball, which starts in about two months. Get a chance to get out there and kind of find out who we are where we’re at, what hand we’ve been dealt. And then we’re going to have a spring finale on the 19th of April. Give us a chance to get out there in the stadium. First chance we’ve had to get out in the stadium where we haven’t had repairs going on. So good chance to get out there on the 19th, and it’s early in preparation, but we’re planning on having a 30-minute or so fan access before the practice, and then 30 minutes or so afterward. Make it easier on the families. If they get there early and want to get down and take some pictures with the players or sign autographs, they can. And if they want to wait till afterwards, moms that have little kids that are there before. After, the kids don’t want to wait till afterwards. They can do it before and give the fans a chance to see some of the new players, get a chance to see some of the coaches on the field. So, we got a lot of things scheduled. Looking forward to it. And as I said, it’s an exciting time for everybody, particularly myself.”