Having to comply with Mike Gundy is just the beginning of the Large Problem, the performing coach of the Oklahoma State Soccer, Doug Meacham, is confronted.
Gundy, the face of Oklahoma State soccer for greater than 20 years by far his most profitable coach, was dismissed on Tuesday After compiling a profession document of 170-90.
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However for all of the speeches on the previous of Oklahoma State and the subsequent coach search, the Cowboys nonetheless have a season to play. Meacham is thrown instantly into the fire-Oklahoma State (1-2, 0-0 Massive 12) welcomes Baylor (2-2, 0-1) on Saturday whereas the cowboys begin the method of making an attempt to avoid wasting their season.
“You’ve an possibility,” stated Meacham on Wednesday. “You possibly can dig and damage and battle it and work, or you possibly can complain and let it roll. We do not take this strategy. We are going to battle.”
Meacham, 60, has the entire CV. He was a finalist of the Broyles Prize as a deputy coach of the nation in 2014, whereas he was the attacking coordinator of TCU. Throughout his second spherical as an assistant to TCU, he helped the horns in horns Attain the nationwide championship match After the 2022 season. He was an attacking coordinator in Kansas and Houston, amongst different stops.
Something which may not be ample preparation for the longer term activity.
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The quarter-back leaving Hauss Hejny broke his left foot in the course of the opening victory of the season on Ut MartinAnd the offense has had bother with Zane Flores since in cost. The cowboys rank 132nd from 134 offense groups with solely 14 factors per sport.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, a protection that’s among the many worst within the nation in opposition to the move will now face Baylor and one of many nation’s most electrical move assaults. Baylor Quarter Sawyer Robertson Ranks second within the nation through the yards (1,070) and third, together with affected (10).
Then there’s the psychological side. Cowboys had been humiliated in a lack of 69-3 in Oregon. Final week Loss in Tulsa was the ultimate straw for the sports activities director of Oklahoma State Chad Weiberg.
Up to now, Meacham has stated that his staff manages the reshuffle effectively and has exceeded latest video games.
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“Chapport to those children-they went out with an excellent angle, they usually have practiced laborious at present,” he stated. “As trainers, you possibly can really feel dangerous physique language and individuals who go and maintain the courtroom someplace by themselves and the sort of factor. I do not really feel any of this. ”
Meacham additionally has psychological obstacles – he replaces a longtime pal and a former teammate at Oklahoma State within the Eighties.
“I’ve so much to coach Gundy,” stated Meacham. “He employed me twice, performed with him – a legendary coach. Sadly, on this firm, it is a sort of issues that occur. Once you do it lengthy sufficient, it can occur. Sadly for us, it needed to be at that second. I discovered so much from him and I admire every part he did for me in my life and in my profession.”
Nonetheless, Meacham appreciates the chance to be a head coach, and it’s grateful that it got here to his Alma Mater.
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“I simply consider a match at a time and I admire that Weiberg thought sufficient of me to provide me the chance,” he stated. “And I am simply glad to be right here with these guys, as a result of they work so laborious. I am so fortunate.”
There have been some indicators that an enchancment is feasible. Hejny is on therapeutic and it may assist. Meacham was an attacking coach in TCU final season, the place Hejny was final season earlier than the switch.
“He’ll most likely be again right here within the coming weeks,” stated Meacham. “He will likely be standing subsequent week, I believe, strolling and doing issues and making an attempt to come back again. He desires to play. “
Flores improved within the second half in opposition to Tulsa and put the staff within the place of probably stealing the match late. Meacham hopes that the battle that the cowboys confirmed late on this match to proceed, and he desires followers to come back.
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“Come cling and be a part of the battle with us,” he stated. “Greater than something, you might have youngsters who battle laborious and also you help them, irrespective of how upset you might be, how issues are going. Consider these youngsters. That is my message to followers.”
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