'I'm a man' Gundy becomes The Man for recruiting

[MajorMike]

Jan. 24, 2008
By Dennis Dodd
CBSSports.com Senior Writer

Name a coach who has been in more homes the past few months than Mike Gundy. Between the YouTube hits, the parodies and the national discussion, the decibels, no coach has had a bigger recruiting advantage.

What, the infamous "I'm a man, I'm 40!" rant has been beneficial?

"It definitely did not hurt," said Larry Fedora, Oklahoma State's former offensive coordinator who recently left to become head coach at Southern Miss. "If anything, it helped. What you saw from that point on, parents and recruits we talked to said, 'We want our kids to play for a guy like him.'"

Call it guerilla recruiting, except you would have to assume there was some sort of subversive intent to the Oklahoma State coach's infamous three-minute tirade on Sept. 22 following a win over Texas Tech.

Gundy probably didn't know it, but he did more than peel paint that day. The national reaction was one of overwhelming support -- either for the coach in defending his player or chastising the media or both. Millions of hits and four months later, Oklahoma State is cleaning up in recruiting. Coincidence?

"People that didn't know him to begin with, now do," said Rafe Watkins, football coach at Guthrie (Okla.) High School, about 25 miles from Stillwater. "YouTube, car dealerships doing mock commercials ... It kind of showed that he is standing up for his kids. As far as helping or hurting his recruiting, I don't know."

The experts do. The 2008 class is rated among the top 25 in the country by rivals.com, fourth in the Big 12. Not bad for a team that finished 7-6 and a coach who is 18-19 in three seasons at Okie State. It could end up being the best class in Stillwater since Les Miles landed rivals.com's No. 15 class in 2003.

"I talk to a lot of kids, (the outburst) never comes up, it's completely forgotten," said CSTV recruiting expert Tom Lemming.

"(Gundy) was defending his players. If it had an affect it was that the kids loved him. I think it was a positive. In the long run most kids forget that stuff anyway. Kids are all thinking: the quickest way to the NFL, facilities and girls. Oklahoma State is having a good year."

Turns out Gundy just flipped out for a moment. It does not seem to be a pattern of behavior. The media went on with their jobs. The quarterback he was defending (Bobby Reid) has since transferred to Texas Southern.

So what was the big deal? The situation might not have developed if Gundy had been more forthcoming about why Reid lost his starting job. That left it to Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoman to speculate about the situation in her column. No one cared until Gundy ranted.

This space suggested the day after the flaming that Gundy should be fired. Upon further review, maybe not. Gundy seems like a decent guy. No more tightly wound than some of his peers. He seemingly did not hold grudges against the media after that day.

Oklahoma State responded by winning three of four and won its bowl game for the second consecutive year.

"Your immediate response was, 'Give me his head,'" said Mitchell Abrams, a noted New York-based sports psychologist. "But you're willing to say, 'You know what? This is really interesting.' That's really commendable."

"My friends kind of joked about it," said Cowboys recruit Kye Staley, a four-star running back from Guthrie. "He's a cool coach, real laid back, fun to be around."

Cool? Laid back? Dr. Abrams isn't surprised at the reaction. His closest brush with Gundy is a replay of Sept. 22, but Abrams has followed the situation with interest as an anger management specialist.

"I could understand why it would increase his recruiting," Abrams said. "He saw this as: Circle the wagons, protect your guys. That's an admirable quality in coaches.

"It behooves the coaches to be as emotionally balanced as possible. After all, they are role models for their players. It's also important to remember they are human."

Fedora said Gundy is nothing like the person who freaked out that day. It's a bit amazing how things have worked out. Oklahoma State has a sugar daddy -- billionaire T. Boone Pickens -- who seems determined to spend the Cowboys into a BCS bowl. If the commitments hold on signing day, Gundy will have beaten out the Sooners for at least seven players who considered Oklahoma.

In Gundy's case, any publicity is becoming good publicity.

"The next day he was over it," Fedora said. "Later that night, he was over it. I don't think he was trying to put the media in their place. All Mike was doing was protecting his players.

"My son was showing me all this stuff on YouTube. You could not have thought that out and orchestrated it."

Could you?

[ReggieF]

too bad he is burning bridges all across the state for pulling kids scholarship offers last minute or oversigning and telling kids they have to find somewhere else to play, Gundy is a douche.

[K-State Spur]

oklahoma state has usually recruited a top 25 (or close to it) class in recent memory.

apparently, in order to get to being a top 25 program, gundy is going to have to start recruiting top 5 classes to overcome his coaching.

[ReggieF]

oklahoma state has usually recruited a top 25 (or close to it) class in recent memory.

apparently, in order to get to being a top 25 program, gundy is going to have to start recruiting top 5 classes to overcome his coaching.


well played, plus when you sign 30 kids per class your ranking goes up just out of sheer quantity, after you subtract out the guys he runs off or don't qualify the rankings have a different look to them.

[SrA Husker]

I'll ask Kody Spano what he thinks of Gundy and crew.

[MajorMike]

Bah. Spano's dad is a little media whore and he is tainting his son. Believe me, OSU would have made room for Kody if they truely wanted him; but his dad got in the way so they let him go. Seems like a good kid, just watch out for the dad.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Riiiiiiiiiiight. Stupid dad for being pissed that Gundy jerked around his son and told him he had an offer, then didn't.

LMAO at you calling someone a media whore when that's all Gundy is as well.

[MajorMike]

Riiiiiiiiiiight. Stupid dad for being pissed that Gundy jerked around his son and told him he had an offer, then didn't.

LMAO at you calling someone a media whore when that's all Gundy is as well.


Obviously, you don't know what you are talking about. OSU never pulled his scholly.

[HuskerinSA]

Be careful bragging about recruiting, even moreso when the names aren't yet signed on the LOI. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment. It's fools gold.

[Whisky Dog]

I'm a man. I have a penis!!

[ReggieF]

Obviously, you don't know what you are talking about. OSU never pulled his scholly.

OSU asked a kid who had been committed to grayshirt (enroll in the following spring) to make room for another early enrollee that they had recently decided to recruit and just so happened to be friends with Spano. I think you might need to check your own facts.

[MajorMike]

OSU asked a kid who had been committed to grayshirt (enroll in the following spring) to make room for another early enrollee that they had recently decided to recruit and just so happened to be friends with Spano. I think you might need to check your own facts.

Actually, again, completely untrue. Not suprising around here, tho.

Also, I see no where here me bragging about anything. Again, not suprising around here for people to just flat out lie to look cool.

[ReggieF]

ok, what is the real story then since every recruiting outlet not run by Okie Lite are telling similar versions of this story not to mention newspapers. Take off the giant orange foam cowboy hat and oversized glasses and see the truth...

[ReggieF]

Gundy pulls Spano's scholarship...kind of

Put yourself in Kody Spano's position: You are the first player to commit in the '08 recruiting class. You've never wavered in your commitment. It's nearing January, weeks before you enroll at OSU. Phone rings...

"Hi Kody, Mike Gundy here. We had a few kids screw up and not graduate like they were supposed to. Also, we're giving your scholarship to a safety that was committed to OU weeks ago instead. You're going to have to pay your own way for a semester. Sorry...click"

Would you not be furious? I've heard the argument that he can simply wait until after the spring to be put on scholarship. That's crap. He made a commitment to OSU before any other recruit and never wavered. That means something. OSU supposedly made a commitment to him -- they should stick by it.


http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/CarsonCunningham

[MajorMike]

Yes, and we know from Miss Carlson that everything printed in the paper that isn't witnessed 1st hand is the truth, don't we?

Isn't the Sporting News the sports page that printed the entire story about how Billy had taken the arKy basketball job?

[ReggieF]

still waiting to hear "the truth", I will be happy to change my opinion if you can provide one shred of evidence to the contrary on this issue. Also what aboutt he 3 other kids who's offers he pulled?
Brandon Garrett OL from LaMarque
Tim Benford DL from Houston Jersey Village
Victor Jones LB from Richland

[MajorMike]

Wow, the more you talk the more I am convinced you know nothing about recruiting or what you are talking about. If google makes you happy, then I say go for it.

[ReggieF]

Still waiting on some proof and trust me I know plenty about what I am talking about. I am the only one bringing facts to this discussion, all you keep doing is avoiding the questions. If you can show proof of how Gundy was justified in pulling Spano's scholarship then fine by me. Gundy is a sleezeball and is really burning bridges across the state he relies on to provide his most talented players.

[MajorMike]

Spano's offer had nothing to do with Martin. His offer was never pulled, therefore your information, thus your opinion, is erroneous.

Garrett was 19 at the start of the high school season and failed to get a waiver that would allow him to play. He did not play his senior season. OSU's offer was conditional on the fact that he played his senior year, and Garrett knew this; he broke the agreement and moved on.

Jones's offer was not pulled, but he was told he would not have an early chance of contributing at OSU, which was his wish, so he looked elsewhere.

Grant actually did have his offer pulled, however I am not at liberty to say why.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Yes, and we know from Miss Carlson that everything printed in the paper that isn't witnessed 1st hand is the truth, don't we?

Isn't the Sporting News the sports page that printed the entire story about how Billy had taken the arKy basketball job?


And we all know that a kid and his family would lie about the situation. Obviously he is totally okay with having his 'ship for the fall given to someone else and lining up to pay his way through school for a semester for another recruit.

The only stupid one in this thread is you.

Now you're down to calling out The Sporting News? This has been reported in multiple places, I guess everyone is biased and you are the holy keeper of the truth :lol

[MajorMike]

Again... find one piece of info that says, "OSU pulled" his scholarship. Doesn't exist, because didn't happen. Find an article where Kody, not his dad, talks poorly about OSU. Maybe there is more going on there than you know.

No one brought up the word stupid in this thread until you arrived... coincidence? I think not.

[ReggieF]

if you are going to hide behind semantics then that is retarded, Spano was told that he did not have a place unless he grayshirted, his spot in the class was given away to Markelle Martin. You might want to ask the HS coaches if your other stuff is true since they all seem to be pissed at Gundy and have been quoted as saying OSU will not be welcome in thier schools.

[RonMexico]

Yes, and we know from Miss Carlson that everything printed in the paper that isn't witnessed 1st hand is the truth, don't we?

Isn't the Sporting News the sports page that printed the entire story about how Billy had taken the arKy basketball job?

No, that was CBS Sportsline.... let's not forget that you and Brutalis applauded that story, said you "called it," ripped A&M's RPI and program, and said that it was an upgrade from A&M.

P.S. John Pelphry
P.P.S. 59-56
P.P.P.S. Marist

[RonMexico]

Still waiting on some proof and trust me I know plenty about what I am talking about. I am the only one bringing facts to this discussion, all you keep doing is avoiding the questions. If you can show proof of how Gundy was justified in pulling Spano's scholarship then fine by me. Gundy is a sleezeball and is really burning bridges across the state he relies on to provide his most talented players.

OSU has talented players?

[RonMexico]

Spano's offer had nothing to do with Martin. His offer was never pulled, therefore your information, thus your opinion, is erroneous.

Garrett was 19 at the start of the high school season and failed to get a waiver that would allow him to play. He did not play his senior season. OSU's offer was conditional on the fact that he played his senior year, and Garrett knew this; he broke the agreement and moved on.

Jones's offer was not pulled, but he was told he would not have an early chance of contributing at OSU, which was his wish, so he looked elsewhere.

Grant actually did have his offer pulled, however I am not at liberty to say why.

"I am not at liberty to say why." What a douche. I wish I had the insider information you did.

What happened between Les Miles and Lloyd Carr? Is Rich Rodriguez going to pay the money back? Did Eddie Sutton really drink and drive? Are they going to rename the court after him in San Francisco? Is there a vast Big 12 conspiracy preventing OSU from being good in any athletics besides wrestling and golf? Why did Bobby Reid really transfer? Is it because he's black and Gundy is racist? What are you the captain of... a gay pirate dance troupe? How much do clothes cost in the Matrix?

Please start publishing your own insider blog. It would be awesome if you just made up fake titles like "Oklahoma State has the best offense the world has ever seen" and then put "I'm not at liberty to discuss why" in the body.

In fact, I'll make it for you: http://im-a-huge-fag.blogspot.com. First post: "Why Oklahoma State basketball won't lose to Marist in the NIT this year." Body: "Because they won't even make the postseason." Then you can come up with excuses like, "we don't have a real PG" to explain poor coaching and players with questionable character and decision-making.

[ReggieF]

OSU has talented players?

OSU actually had one of the best sets of skill position players in the conference, Robinson is a solid QB, 3 pretty good RB's and Savage is better than pretty good, Bowman,Bryant and Pettigrew are better than almost anything the rest of the Big 12 can run out at those positions and with all that Douche Bag Gundy let them to the Insight Bowl...Boone Pickens will have him assasinated pretty soon.

[AggieJV2006]

"I am not at liberty to say why." What a douche. I wish I had the insider information you did.

What happened between Les Miles and Lloyd Carr? Is Rich Rodriguez going to pay the money back? Did Eddie Sutton really drink and drive? Are they going to rename the court after him in San Francisco? Is there a vast Big 12 conspiracy preventing OSU from being good in any athletics besides wrestling and golf? Why did Bobby Reid really transfer? Is it because he's black and Gundy is racist? What are you the captain of... a gay pirate dance troupe? How much do clothes cost in the Matrix?

Please start publishing your own insider blog. It would be awesome if you just made up fake titles like "Oklahoma State has the best offense the world has ever seen" and then put "I'm not at liberty to discuss why" in the body.

In fact, I'll make it for you: http://im-a-huge-fag.blogspot.com. First post: "Why Oklahoma State basketball won't lose to Marist in the NIT this year." Body: "Because they won't even make the postseason." Then you can come up with excuses like, "we don't have a real PG" to explain poor coaching and players with questionable character and decision-making.

best blog ever

[AggieJV2006]

Wow, the more you talk the more I am convinced you know nothing about recruiting or what you are talking about. If google makes you happy, then I say go for it.

I think you don't have any idea about recruiting or collegiate sports in general. Mike 'The Man' Sherman is getting all the Texas talent.

[HuskerinSA]

I think you don't have any idea about recruiting or collegiate sports in general. Mike 'The Man' Sherman is getting all the Texas talent.

Actually, Stoops at Oklahoma is getting all the texas talent. ut gets the second pick, and then the aggies get the third choice.

[ReggieF]

Actually, Stoops at Oklahoma is getting all the texas talent. ut gets the second pick, and then the aggies get the third choice.

unfortunately this is true, we did get first dibs on all the unemployed Nebraska coaches though :spin

[RonMexico]

Actually, Stoops at Oklahoma is getting all the texas talent. ut gets the second pick, and then the aggies get the third choice.

I think he was joking, though. Who blames him since CaptMike is a moron?

[MajorMike]

Gundy's 'I'm a Man' rant boosts recruiting

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, who became an instant celebrity with his "I'm a Man, I'm 40" rant on YouTube, said his famous tirade to defend one of his former players is helping the Cowboys with recruiting future players. Even Gundy admits he never anticipated the recruiting benefits from the emotional outburst which got so popular it was the punchline for jokes. "No, I didn't expect it, in any way, shape, form or fashion," Gundy told the AJC. "It's interesting since that day, which happened on impulse in my opinion, to protect and take care of one of our players, I didn't have any idea that it would take off like this. From that point on, for good or bad, I've become very recognizable across the country. In turn, what has has happened in the last couple of years in recruiting, it has helped us tremendously. I think the parents of these young men understand that 'If my son goes to play at Oklahoma State, the coach is going to do whatever he can to take care of him.'"

Atlanta Journal Constitution


http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/ncaa


Say, how's Spano doing these days?

[mookie2001]

stoops gets all the texas talent

[RonMexico]

Mike, shut the fuck up.

[Blake]

Recruiting:

Oklahoma State:

#7 in the Big XII

#36 in the country

http://rivals100.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?sort=0&year=2009&postype=0&Conf=3

lol, ok st
lol, IM A MAN
lol, capn mike
lol, stillwater
lol, ownage

[MajorMike]

lol, blake. Why don't you go teach someone the 3-step drop; it'll only take a few hours.

[RonMexico]

lol, blake. Why don't you go teach someone the 3-step drop; it'll only take a few hours.

Actually, if you owned a TV and watched something besides Sponge Bob, you would have seen Leach's interview on 60 Minutes, where I actually gained some respect for the complexity of his offense and the ability of Graham Harrell. It's still a system, but there's a little more to it than we all think.

[mookie2001]

7th in the big12 is good

[mookie2001]

do yall still have pettigrew?

hes the greatest TE ive ever seen
gresham too

the two OK TEs are more dominant than any other tightends ive ever seen college or pro