Bill Haisten: 'We've gotten in the game,' Mike Gundy says of OSU's recruiting

FRISCO, Texas As Oklahoma State has scored several off-the-field victories since March, it has become obvious that Mike Gundys new staff members can recruit.

My question on Wednesday, during Gundys Big 12 Media Days appearance at The Star complex, was this: what is the Oklahoma State coachs level of confidence in his new assistants ability to actually coach? As last season was a winless-in-Big 12-play debacle for the Cowboy program, how does Gundy feel about his retooled staffs ability to pull a winning result from a rebuilt roster? Defensively, there was an adjustment for me, Gundy said.

I didnt know any of these guys.

You hire a new coordinator (Todd Grantham) and he brings in his guys (position coaches).

So, when I was watching during the spring, it was as new for me as it is for you.

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Theyve been trained properly.

They grind.

Theyre very aggressive with the players.

They know what theyre doing, so theyre able to coach that way.

Ive mentioned this before, and its worth repeating now that were only 50 days away from OSUs Aug.

28 opener against Tennessee-Martin at Boone Pickens Stadium: During the first of Gundys spring-practice media sessions, the head coach seemed stressed and fatigued.

By the end of spring practice, Gundy looked healthy and seemed refreshed.

My perception: By the end of April, Gundy had seen enough of his new roster and new staff that he felt much better about the potential for a nice bounce-back season.

Another perception: Gundys good Wednesday mood was the result of a flurry of high-profile recruiting commitments to the OSU program.

Among Cowboy assistants who are said to be especially effective in recruiting are running backs coach Cory Patterson, who worked previously at Purdue and Illinois; cornerbacks coach Jules Montinar, whose employment history includes stops at Florida, Georgia and Alabama; and defensive line coach Ryan Osborn, who was on Michigan, Florida and Mississippi State staffs (and for one season coached the Baltimore Ravens linebackers).

After Jenks four-star senior running back KD Jones committed to the Cowboy program in March , his father former OU running back Kejuan Jones said Patterson was a key figure in KDs surprising Oklahoma State decision.

Yes, Kejuan Jones said, along with Kenyatta Wright.

Wright is a former Cowboy linebacker who today is Gundys extremely impactful director of football business.

During a more recent span of about 10 days, Oklahoma State got a commitment from the highest-rated senior recruit in Arkansas (defensive tackle Danny Beale III), the highest-rated senior recruit in Oklahoma (Owassos Tajh Overton) and a highly regarded senior cornerback (Bixbys Braeden Presley).

New staff members, Gundy reports, are very aggressive and energetic.

Some of them used to be in the southeast part of the country, and (recruiting) there is different.

This 2026 recruiting class ultimately may be the best class of the 21-season Gundy era.

Its a testament not only to the fresh energy of new assistant coaches, but Oklahoma State Universitys commitment to being at the highest level possible on revenue-sharing money for football athletes.

Up until about nine months ago, we hadnt paid hardly any money at all (to OSU football players), Gundy said.

Weve gotten in the game now.

Alluding to Class of 2026 recruits players who will be seniors this season Gundy said, This is the first class with us being competitive financially..

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