Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Talk Spring Practice
April 16, 2024 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Head coach Mike Gundy and several players met with the media Tuesday in Stillwater to discuss another week of spring practice. Here are some of their comments:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On progress this spring:
"They're doing very well. We've had a very competitive, physical spring and we've pushed them. In fact, last Saturday, I stopped practice in the last 20 minutes. They had worked so hard, I just called it off. They're the ones that are taking the reins on this and as I said a couple of weeks ago, I spoke very directly to those guys and said, 'You have to be willing to train and practice harder than you did last year.' Even though you're Ollie Gordon or Joe Michalski or Brennan Presley or Collin Oliver or Korie Black or Cole Birmingham, you have to put forth that effort, and they have done that up to this point."
On possible changes this season:
"We have a good idea of what we want to get accomplished. There's not really a lot of changes. Offensively, we have so many returning players that there's not many adjustments. There's a few things that I wasn't happy with last year that I feel like we need to implement, to put into the system this year. Defensively, we're going to play three down, we're going to play four down. We want to be multiple, it's just a matter of how much we do one or the other based on what we can get accomplished. But, we do have enough returning players that it gives us a little bit of a head start. In the kicking game, we'll be very similar."
On the offensive line continuing to improve:
"We have to be protective of them as I've shared with you for three weeks, but they still get decent reps, seeing all the different looks and communicating with each other without talking, Knowing what they're doing… Things you really never get enough of. When you have a veteran offensive line, you can do so many more things."
On wrestling head coach John Smith's retirement:
"I don't think we've ever had anybody at this university that has been the best at what they've done in the world for seven years. He was the best in the world at what he did for seven years. Now, Barry Sanders was for one year. I agree with that, but John was the best at what he did in the world for six or seven years. Two Olympic golds, obviously. Won 150 matches here, which is still the record, and he was a head coach for 33 years. There's nobody on this campus that deserves the statue more than him. The only debate is: do you make it of him as a wrestler or as a coach? I say you make it a collage and do both. Who else deserves one other him? We've had a lot of people do amazing things here, but he was the best in the world at what he did. Period… I have a pretty high standard for John Smith as a person, a coach and a competitor."
Wide Receiver De'Zhaun Stribling
On contributing to the team despite injury:
"I wasn't able to be out there physically. Of course, I'd be with the team, but I just tried to do my job of coaching them up, share my knowledge with them. So, we can just grow as one."
On his mindset this year:
"We've got to be better. My mindset is being intentional every day and also bringing the guys around me up with me. So, it's never enough. Never be satisfied and just keep trying to go up."
Offensive Lineman Cole Birmingham
On the offensive line's versatility:
"Yeah, for sure. We have a lot of experience, a lot of guys that have experience playing multiple positions. Joe (Michalski) has played guard and center, Preston (Wilson) has played everything, I've played guard and tackle. Everyone can kind of move around. Taylor Miterko is the same thing. Just having all that experience is pretty good."
On the running back room:
"It's really good. Obviously, Ollie (Gordon II) is a really good running back. The whole running back room is good. Sesi (Vailahi) is coming up, and all the other guys are just really good."
Nose Tackle Collin Clay
On offseason improvements:
"It's been amazing. I've made some great jumps in the weight room. I just feeling I'm getting stronger, getting healthier. Just continuing to learn how to be dominant and working on my craft, but it's been amazing."
On his relationship with Coach Randolph:
"He's been amazing, you know. I love him. He's been a great role model for me in just the few months that we've been together. I feel like he's going to elevate my game to places I never thought it could be. I expect a great season from all of us."
Safety Cameron Epps
On this spring compared to last year:
"I was getting bigger and stronger in the weight room, learning the defense better and getting comfortable with my teammates, which definitely helped… This offseason, I took a different approach. I'm more of a leader this year, more vocal and I feel like other guys look up to me."
On the defense's level of comfort:
"Our communication is at an all-time different level. Last year, we had a whole new defense, a whole lot of new faces and a whole lot of transfers, but this year, we got a good bond. I feel like we're ready to make a strong run."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On progress this spring:
"They're doing very well. We've had a very competitive, physical spring and we've pushed them. In fact, last Saturday, I stopped practice in the last 20 minutes. They had worked so hard, I just called it off. They're the ones that are taking the reins on this and as I said a couple of weeks ago, I spoke very directly to those guys and said, 'You have to be willing to train and practice harder than you did last year.' Even though you're Ollie Gordon or Joe Michalski or Brennan Presley or Collin Oliver or Korie Black or Cole Birmingham, you have to put forth that effort, and they have done that up to this point."
On possible changes this season:
"We have a good idea of what we want to get accomplished. There's not really a lot of changes. Offensively, we have so many returning players that there's not many adjustments. There's a few things that I wasn't happy with last year that I feel like we need to implement, to put into the system this year. Defensively, we're going to play three down, we're going to play four down. We want to be multiple, it's just a matter of how much we do one or the other based on what we can get accomplished. But, we do have enough returning players that it gives us a little bit of a head start. In the kicking game, we'll be very similar."
On the offensive line continuing to improve:
"We have to be protective of them as I've shared with you for three weeks, but they still get decent reps, seeing all the different looks and communicating with each other without talking, Knowing what they're doing… Things you really never get enough of. When you have a veteran offensive line, you can do so many more things."
On wrestling head coach John Smith's retirement:
"I don't think we've ever had anybody at this university that has been the best at what they've done in the world for seven years. He was the best in the world at what he did for seven years. Now, Barry Sanders was for one year. I agree with that, but John was the best at what he did in the world for six or seven years. Two Olympic golds, obviously. Won 150 matches here, which is still the record, and he was a head coach for 33 years. There's nobody on this campus that deserves the statue more than him. The only debate is: do you make it of him as a wrestler or as a coach? I say you make it a collage and do both. Who else deserves one other him? We've had a lot of people do amazing things here, but he was the best in the world at what he did. Period… I have a pretty high standard for John Smith as a person, a coach and a competitor."
Wide Receiver De'Zhaun Stribling
On contributing to the team despite injury:
"I wasn't able to be out there physically. Of course, I'd be with the team, but I just tried to do my job of coaching them up, share my knowledge with them. So, we can just grow as one."
On his mindset this year:
"We've got to be better. My mindset is being intentional every day and also bringing the guys around me up with me. So, it's never enough. Never be satisfied and just keep trying to go up."
Offensive Lineman Cole Birmingham
On the offensive line's versatility:
"Yeah, for sure. We have a lot of experience, a lot of guys that have experience playing multiple positions. Joe (Michalski) has played guard and center, Preston (Wilson) has played everything, I've played guard and tackle. Everyone can kind of move around. Taylor Miterko is the same thing. Just having all that experience is pretty good."
On the running back room:
"It's really good. Obviously, Ollie (Gordon II) is a really good running back. The whole running back room is good. Sesi (Vailahi) is coming up, and all the other guys are just really good."
Nose Tackle Collin Clay
On offseason improvements:
"It's been amazing. I've made some great jumps in the weight room. I just feeling I'm getting stronger, getting healthier. Just continuing to learn how to be dominant and working on my craft, but it's been amazing."
On his relationship with Coach Randolph:
"He's been amazing, you know. I love him. He's been a great role model for me in just the few months that we've been together. I feel like he's going to elevate my game to places I never thought it could be. I expect a great season from all of us."
Safety Cameron Epps
On this spring compared to last year:
"I was getting bigger and stronger in the weight room, learning the defense better and getting comfortable with my teammates, which definitely helped… This offseason, I took a different approach. I'm more of a leader this year, more vocal and I feel like other guys look up to me."
On the defense's level of comfort:
"Our communication is at an all-time different level. Last year, we had a whole new defense, a whole lot of new faces and a whole lot of transfers, but this year, we got a good bond. I feel like we're ready to make a strong run."
Players Mentioned
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WR
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