New assistant, Ollie Gordon II’s next step top Oklahoma State football’s spring storylines

[ad_1]

STILLWATER — March felt more like November, and it wasn’t just the chilly breeze blowing through the open doors of the Sherman Smith Training Center on Tuesday afternoon.

The typical uncertainty of a new football season is so limited at Oklahoma State, the cast of Cowboys taking part in the first practice of spring was nearly identical to the roster from last fall.

Alan Bowman was still handing the ball to Ollie Gordon II. Korie Black was still hawking passes along the sidelines. And Kendal Daniels was still running around with a menacing frame that looks even bigger than his listed 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds.

The Cowboys added five transfers at the break, and eight high school signees reported early, but otherwise, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has few names to learn.

“For the most part, you’re rebuilding a team every year, and then sometimes, maybe even every semester,” Gundy said. “We were fortunate. Guys wanted to come back. I felt like we would have quite a few of them, but… they have to make that decision on their own.”

In fact, perhaps the most notable change was one initiated by Gundy himself, with his decision to replace defensive line coach Greg Richmond with veteran Paul Randolph.

“I’m really excited about Coach Randolph and what he’s bringing to the table,” Gundy said.  “When I went out searching and listening and having conversations with coaches across the country, his name would come up in most of those conversations.

“We just needed a change there. Greg Richmond is a good football coach and he’s a great human being. We needed a change for a couple reasons. We needed a change of pace and some new blood at that position.”

More: Why coaches who know Paul Randolph call him a ‘home run hire’ for Oklahoma State football

Oklahoma State defensive line coach is pictured during an…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/assistant-ollie-gordon-iis-next-011706712.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-03-27 01:17:06

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.