I promise this isn’t what you think. I’m not here to tell you why Ryan Gunderson should take over for Sean Canfield. I’m not that stupid. I’m not asking why Canfield was left in the game after the third, fourth, or fifth interception. It doesn’t matter. Asking why one quarterback was replaced by another or calling for that change is like swimming upstream with one arm. It takes a lot of effort and you only end up going in circles.
I have asked that question before and I have learned from my mistakes. Besides, I got a refresher Saturday on why that question shouldn’t be asked, in more than one way. That brings me to Mike Gundy, head football coach for Oklahoma State University, the other orange and black.
Coach Gundy is a guy any football player would want leading them into battle. They would run through a wall, jump over a cliff and dive into shark infested water for Gundy. Why, does he win every game? No. He isn’t even above .500 for his career. Does he run a crazy scheme? No. He doesn’t run a unique offense, a strangle hold-defense or a spectacular special teams unit. Does he put power house players into the NFL? No. He isn’t well-known for putting players into the NFL or even the AFL.
In fact, chances are if he weren’t coaching he’d be just a regular guy. He’d have a family, dog and the two-story house in suburbia. He’d teach his children about respect, honor and good manners. He’d kiss his wife, pet his dog and drive the family car to the weekend service. He’d probably be in a fantasy football league, play catch with the guys at the barbeque on Saturdays and help out at the local boys and girls club. He just seems like that kind of guy.
How do I know?
The best thing I can tell people is to go to the YouTube website and type in “Mike Gundy Lectures,” click the link, and sit back and enjoy. After you have done that, continue reading.
That was by far the greatest moment in the history of college football to media interaction. An Oklahoma State football columnist Jenni Carlson spent an article questioning the move to replace Bobby Reid with Zac Robinson. That isn’t news, columnists ask that question every day all over America. It was a case of pressing the wrong button at the wrong time.
Gundy blew up at Carlson, pointed in her direction, glaring at her, and making accusations about her integrity in a three-minute tirade after the Oklahoma State victory over Texas Tech. He didn’t bother talking about the victory, he left out his porous defense and went right to defending his player.
A lot of people have turned it around and said, “He stooped to her level by even acknowledging the article.”
False. Anyone with half a brain can see he was defending his players when he saw them belittled for an unfair reason. Just the same as he would argue a blown call, missed assignment or miscommunication on the field.
Here is a coach who doesn’t stand behind his players. He stands in front of them. He’s not there to support them, he’s ready to be the barrier between his players and whoever wants to tear them down.
If you painted a picture of a coach that a player is willing to run through a wall for, play hard for and ultimately give blood, sweat and tears for, it’s Mike Gundy. Hell, after watching his press conference I was ready to stand up and run through my desk at the Barometer office.
It felt like a scene out of a movie more than something from real life. Even the other media members clapped as he left the room. I applaud Mike Gundy as well.
Was it unnecessary to take his aggression out by scolding a member of the media? Probably. Did it need to be said? Maybe. But the important question is, did it send a message to his team? Yes.
If you think he was wrong for standing up and defending his player, you are wrong.
And it makes me want to puke.
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