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Oklahoma State Cowboys (2000: 3-8) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programOklahoma State athletic director Terry Don Phillips had his man. After dismissing Bob Simmons following six seasons that produced just a single winning record, Phillips looked West and found Boise State coach Dirk Koetter to become the Cowboys’ 21st coach.There was just one problem. Koetter never arrived in Stillwater. He changed his state of mind, backing out of the verbal deal with Oklahoma State to accept the job at Arizona State. Phillips then tried to make the best of a bad situation by offering the job to Dallas Cowboys tight end coach Les Miles, who was an Oklahoma State assistant from 1995-97. Miles said yes and didn’t change his mind. Cowboys fans can only hope that Phillips’ second choice turns out to be the right one. Miles was offensive coordinator during Oklahoma State’s only winning season (8-4 in 1997) since 1988. Stillwater is not a college football backwater, but it’s not South Bend, either. Oklahoma State’s $18.8 million athletic budget ranks 10th in the Big 12 Conference. Miles understands the economics and he gave his boss a budget break. When Phillips offered Miles an annual salary of $700,000, Miles turned it down. And took less. He asked Phillips to take $300,000 of the money he had been offered and give it to his assistant coaches. With the extra money, Oklahoma State was able to hire the staff Miles wanted. The Cowboys’ assistant coaches’ salaries will total $1.078 million. Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Gundy, the school’s all-time leading passer, will earn $250,000. During Miles’ three-year stint as an Oklahoma State assistant, the Cowboys were equal -- if not a half step ahead -- of Oklahoma. Now that Miles returns as the team’s head coach, Oklahoma State looks down I-35 at the national champion. “Yes, it is our state, they are the team right down the street," said Miles, “but we’re going to compete against all the programs and do the best we can to promote Oklahoma State and just not worry about those very capable Sooners just down the road.’’
OffenseShould Aso Pogi, a 6-3, 225-pound sophomore, continue to post numbers like he did as a rookie, opposing defenses could have as much trouble with the OSU offense as people have spelling Pogi’s first name (it’s Asoteletangafamosili). Pogi set a school single-season record for passing yards by a freshman. Playing in 10 games, Pogi completed 139-of-247 passes for 1,550 yards. However, he had just six touchdown passes to counter 11 interceptions.One of the strengths of the multi-dimensional I-formation offense that Miles plans to run is a corps of talented wide receivers. Pogi believes that he’s got enough targets to make for a potent passing game. Juniors Terrance Davis-Bryant (5-9, 185), whose nickname is T.D., and Gabe Lindsay (5-8, 180), Tony’s little brother, are the most experienced receivers. Redshirt freshman Rashaun Woods (6-2, 185), sophomore Willie Young (6-1, 210) and junior John Lewis (5-11, 185) provide talent and depth. Sophomore Tatum Bell (5-11, 190) indicated that he has the potential to restore some of the school’s reputation for producing exciting running backs. As a freshman last season, he was the team’s second-leading rusher, gaining 251 yards and averaging 5.1 yards per carry. There is a lot to like on the offensive line. Three of five starters return, plus there is depth and talent in good supply. Junior tackle Kyle Eaton (6-8, 305), senior guard Jeff Machado (6-3, 300) and senior center Jon Vandrell (6-0, 285) started last year, so the Cowboys are solid from center to the left.
Defense and special teamsJunior Kevin Williams (6-5, 275) should be the cornerstone of the rebuilding process up front. He played defensive tackle and end last season, totaling 35 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. He will probably play at defensive tackle this season.The strongest unit on the defense, ironically, needs the fewest players in the new 4-2-5 alignment. The top linebacker is senior Dwayne Levels (6-2, 250), a blue-collar, hard-working linebacker. Last season, he led the Cowboys in tackles with 95, had three pass deflections, three quarterback hurries and nine tackles for loss. All of last year’s starters in the secondary return -- senior cornerback Michael Cooper (5-9, 195), junior cornerback Ricklan Holmes (5-11, 195), junior safety Chris Massey (6-0, 205) and sophomore safety Elbert Craig (6-2, 195), who was second on the team in tackles and whose three interceptions led the team. Sophomore Luke Phillips (6-0, 160) is listed as the No. 1 kicker after spring practice. Junior Chris Calcagni (5-10, 180) provides kicking competition. Miles expects freshman Cole Farden (5-11, 180), one of the Cowboys’ top recruits, to compete for the kicking job.
Bottom lineThere is talent on the roster. Bob Simmons was no buffoon as a recruiter. Oklahoma State, after all, played national champion Oklahoma within a few minutes of its undefeated season before losing, 12-7.The challenge for Miles will be convincing the Cowboys that they can compete with Big 12 South Division powerhouses like Oklahoma and Texas. The schedule is formidable. Oklahoma State faces Texas A&M, Iowa State, Baylor and Oklahoma on the road, with Missouri, Texas, Colorado and Texas Tech coming to Stillwater. If the Cowboys can defeat Iowa State, Baylor and Missouri, Miles’ first season could be a roaring success. |
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