Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy is making major changes to his staff after the Cowboys’ 3-9 season (0-9 in the Big 12), the worst of his 20 years in Stillwater, and a subsequently reworked contract .
Todd Grantham will be hired as Gundy’s new defensive coordinator. Grantham was the New Orleans Saints’ defensive line coach before being moved to senior advisor when Darren Rizzi became interim head coach. Rizzi confirmed that he is leaving the staff this week for Oklahoma State.
“He’s done a great job behind the scenes with the defensive staff,” Rizzi told reporters. via ESPN. “But it’s certainly a great opportunity for him. He made the decision that he wanted to get back into the college game.”
Grantham, 58, has been a defensive coordinator at many stops, including the Cleveland Browns, Georgia, Louisville, Mississippi State and Florida. Head coaches he has worked with include Frank Beamer, Nick Saban, Mark Richt, Bobby Petrino and Dan Mullen.
Additionally, Grantham has coached defensive lines and linebackers, in addition to being an assistant head coach on several teams. Before joining Dennis Allen’s staff in New Orleans, he spent one season as a defensive analyst at Alabama.
Grantham was nominated for the Broyles Award for best assistant coach in college football while at Mississippi State. He also oversaw top 20 defenses at Louisville and Florida.
Oklahoma State’s defense needs a major overhaul. The jeans were penultimate (No. 132) among FBS teams in total defense, allowing 500.6 yards per game under former defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo. they too position number 125 in scoring defense, allowing 35.58 points per game.
Gundy has not yet hired a new offensive coordinator to replace Kasey Dunn. OSU finished 83rd in FBS with 374 yards of total offense per game and ranked number 72 on scoring offense, averaging 27.2 points.