Mike Gundy has some advice for current, and aspiring Big 12 defensive coordinators
Back in late January of 2018, Mike Gundy added Duke defensive coordinator, and former Cornell (FCS) head coach Jim Knowles to his staff as defensive coordinator to replace Glenn Spencer, who had previously held the post since 2010.
With the defense now entering year two under Knowles, the Cowboys will be looking to improve from where they finished in the bottom half nationally in a number of major defensive categories on the way to finishing a disappointing 7-6 - which Gundy has stated a few times this off season that finish has "rejuvenated" him a bit.
Talking with Fox at Big 12 Media Day earlier today, Gundy shared some solid advice for future Big 12 defensive coordinators about head coaches and offensive coordinators in the league that Knowles maybe had to learn the hard way coming from the ACC.
"Defensive coordinators that are not in our league, in our conference, when they come in, I don't think that they understand the relentless attitude of offensive coordinators and head coaches, who not only want to score, but they're trying to score on every play."
"I think he [Knowles] understands that, and we made some of those adjustments in the off season, and should be more comfortable with play-calling duties."
The Big 12 has long been known as an offensive-minded league, and a lot of that can be attributed to that train of thought outlined by Gundy. Defensive coordinators have to think a bit differently if they want to succeed in the Big 12...and "success" for defensive coordinators probably looks a bit different in that league than it does in, say the SEC.
