He's a man of 50 now. That 2007 season was kind of a roller coaster for us, but I really enjoyed the comeback we had against them in Stillwater. My mom was in hospice care at the time, with this tiny little 13-inch TV positioned in front of her bed where she would watch college football all day on the few Saturdays she had left. I was watching the OK State game with her and going nuts in the 4th quarter when Charles singlehandedly turned the game around, and she couldn't muster enough energy to sit up or cheer. I knew that the time was near for her, so that game is still super bittersweet for me. She passed away less than a month later.
Interesting. Gundy has really taken that program to the next level. Not quite elite IMO but in recent years a consistent contender for the Big XII championship and now certainly in conversations about national contention.
It's not that hard to understand. Gundy is one of their own. When he was a GA, Pat Jones asked Coach Bill Michael to be his OC. After several rejections, Coach Bill told him only if he could be on the sideline and if he could hire that QB as QB coach. During the meeting Bill told Gundy that his acceptance of the OC position was contingent on Gundy being QB coach and sitting in the pressbox calling the plays. Gundy told Bill he had never called plays, and Bill told him he better learn quick or enjoy selling insurance. Mike Gundy and Barry Switzer ;earned from Coach Bill Michael that they had to always have their players' backs. Hence, when the stupid ***** reporter (Dion says I can't use the "c" word) attacked a defenseless teenager in her column, Gundy went postal on her. People all over the internet made fun of him, but those people were too ignorant to realize that Gundy sent a message to HS players everywhere, "I've got your back". You had a very talented young man teetering on the brink of breakdown, and Mike Gundy created a crisis by stepping in and taking the bullet, moving the focus to himself. Mike Gundy is a great coach and better human being, which is why he was on my very short list to be our HC, and will always be in the top two or three.
@SabreHorn, I don't think anyone here faulted the intent of the rant, just the manner in which it came off. It was comical, really, when you look past the message and what it accomplished.
His "I've got your back" message might have worked with some recruits, but Bobby Reid said it basically ended his career. Reid was always one for the drama, but like her article stated, he heaped it on himself. When Carlson reported that Reid was eating chicken with his mom instead of a box meal with the rest of the team, she wasn't lying. And he wasn't a teenager when she wrote it about him (he was 21, almost 22). She made a lot of insinuations that were backed up by evidence from other quotes that Reid himself made. Plus, you know, Zac Robinson IS a better QB than Reid, even though she even admitted that Reid was probably more talented in the article. Gundy's snap in that moment wasn't funny. I'd like to see him go off on a male reporter who would write something similar, but I don't think we're going to.
11 I was no Bobby Reid fan, but she was a raving no class ***** looking to make a name for herself. I loved her boss' response to the story. Don't know where she wound up, really don't care. Some kids have to figure it out for themselves, which is easier to do without being in a fish bowl.
I faulted the intent of the rant. Still do. The whole rant was so contrived. I am surprised more people don't see through it. That rant was all about Gundy making a scene so he could market himself as a player's coach while simultaneously throwing a problem player under the bus. Bobby Reid was a head case, but this was Gundy making sure everyone knew about it. If you didn't know who Bobby Reid was before that rant, you at least knew he was a momma's boy afterwards. He was collateral damage in a PR stunt. I am also surprised that more people don't suspect that the reporter's source for her story was none other than Gundy himself. I know Reid accepted some patronizing position under Gundy recently. Maybe he has Stockholm Syndrome.
@Detective Shilala, sorry, I should have said something like I don't think many here faulted.... Good points.
I can buy the rest of your post but I think this is unlikely. He seems to be pretty consistent in his belief that criticism of amateurs should be largely confined to on-field performance.
The reporter got her story from someone with inside knowledge of the program. Gundy wanted Reid gone. the only thing I am not sure of is if gundy is a total and complete hypocrite. I for one think that is possible. Been on this Rock for enough revolutions around the sun not to underestimate people ( esp people in high position) ability there .
