Cianne
08-19-2005, 01:19 PM
sports.iwon.com/news/08172005/v9224.html
"Cowboys Coach Gundy Dismisses Ninth Player
Aug 17, 12:21 PM (ET) Email this Story
PONCA CITY, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has dismissed second-team defensive tackle Walter Thomas for not adhering to team rules, the ninth player the coach has cut or suspended since taking over as head coach in January.
Gundy announced Tuesday that Thomas was no longer part of the team and did not elaborate. Teammates said he is academically ineligible and that he will stay in school and try to regain his eligibility and rejoin the team next spring.
Gundy also said offensive lineman Corey Curtis has decided not to play football.
One of the nine players, reserve linebacker Jeremy Nethon, returned as a walk-on after being suspended.
Reasons for the dismissals vary from low grades to failure to meet team requirements to off-the-field issues.
"I'm actually pretty soft," Gundy said. "I'm easy to get along with as long as they're paying the price."
Several players said the day Gundy replaced Les Miles as head coach he established guidelines that players attend class, be on time for team meetings, adhere to workout routines, represent the program well and play hard.
Besides Thomas and Nethon, Gundy has cut or suspended Brad Girtman, a potential defensive line starter; Prentiss Elliot, second leading receiver and a standout on kick returns; Andrew Alexander, candidate to start at cornerback; William Bell, projected as defensive end reserve; Doug Bond, offensive lineman; Seymore Shaw, who compiled 1,238 career rushing yards; and Thomas Wright, projected starter at free safety."
I bolded the most important paragraph in the article. What kind of program was Miles running up at Oklahoma State? If Gundy had to implement a policy of going to class, it means it didn't exist when Miles was there. Also, judging by the people who Gundy has booted off the team, it looks like starters and great players were given great leniency in the way the coaches reacted to off the field things such as going to class, etc.
With Oklahoma State trying to rival an SEC school in the amount of booted players, it's unfortunate that their classiest player had to die in a car wreck. It looks like they really needed his influence.
"Cowboys Coach Gundy Dismisses Ninth Player
Aug 17, 12:21 PM (ET) Email this Story
PONCA CITY, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has dismissed second-team defensive tackle Walter Thomas for not adhering to team rules, the ninth player the coach has cut or suspended since taking over as head coach in January.
Gundy announced Tuesday that Thomas was no longer part of the team and did not elaborate. Teammates said he is academically ineligible and that he will stay in school and try to regain his eligibility and rejoin the team next spring.
Gundy also said offensive lineman Corey Curtis has decided not to play football.
One of the nine players, reserve linebacker Jeremy Nethon, returned as a walk-on after being suspended.
Reasons for the dismissals vary from low grades to failure to meet team requirements to off-the-field issues.
"I'm actually pretty soft," Gundy said. "I'm easy to get along with as long as they're paying the price."
Several players said the day Gundy replaced Les Miles as head coach he established guidelines that players attend class, be on time for team meetings, adhere to workout routines, represent the program well and play hard.
Besides Thomas and Nethon, Gundy has cut or suspended Brad Girtman, a potential defensive line starter; Prentiss Elliot, second leading receiver and a standout on kick returns; Andrew Alexander, candidate to start at cornerback; William Bell, projected as defensive end reserve; Doug Bond, offensive lineman; Seymore Shaw, who compiled 1,238 career rushing yards; and Thomas Wright, projected starter at free safety."
I bolded the most important paragraph in the article. What kind of program was Miles running up at Oklahoma State? If Gundy had to implement a policy of going to class, it means it didn't exist when Miles was there. Also, judging by the people who Gundy has booted off the team, it looks like starters and great players were given great leniency in the way the coaches reacted to off the field things such as going to class, etc.
With Oklahoma State trying to rival an SEC school in the amount of booted players, it's unfortunate that their classiest player had to die in a car wreck. It looks like they really needed his influence.