Exclusive Interview with Boone State Coach Mike Gundy

LandThieves Insider Joe Huff sat down with Boone State U Coach Mike Gundy at the Big 12 Media days. Below is a brief Q&A from that session.

LT: Coach, the Cowboys are taking a different approach in scheduling this year by starting off at Georgia. Can you talk a little bit about that?

MG: What? We’re playing Georgia? Can you check that again, I thought we were playing Georgia State.

LT: Nope. Says right here, University of Georgia. I don’t think ESPN2 would be televising Oklahoma State at Georgia State.

MG: We’re opening with an SEC school on the road? And it’s on TV?

LT: Well, let’s move on. Last year you seemed a little bit indecisive on quarterbacks; you seemed to switch from time to time from Zac Robinson to Bobby Reid. Have you decided on a QB yet?

MG: I believe a QB has to make the players around him better. When I was QB, I made Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders into NFL Hall of Fame caliber players. Kelly Cook and Hart Lee Dykes wouldn’t have developed into NFL players without me calling the shots out there. I don’t see Barry Sanders walking through that door anytime soon.

LT: The rest of your non conference schedule is pretty pedestrian. How do you see the season progressing?

MG: The Sun Belt conference is pretty competitive. We’re playing the Rice Owls and the USC Trojans this year, so we’re going to have to take our game to the next level to be successful this year. Plus, any team where Rhett Bomar is QB’ing is sure to be a quality foe. We can’t count on four wins against non-conference patsies this year, squeaking by against Baylor and upsetting someone in the North and making it to a bowl game.

LT: Uh, coach, you’re playing the Florida Atlantic Owls, Troy Trojans, and Sam Houston State Bearkats.

MG: Oh. Well, that should make up for visiting Georgia for the opener, then.

LT: Boone Pickens has donated millions of dollars to Boone State U to improve the facilities. Do you feel any pressure from Mr. Pickens to win a national championship in Stillwater?

MG: I wasn’t expecting that question. Let me call Mr. Pickens and see if I can answer that for you. Can I get back to you?