Oklahoma State coach Gundy defends postgame meltdown

Associated Press

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

STILLWATER, Okla. - Mike Gundy has had time to cool off and think about his post-victory tirade.

Even if he could, the Oklahoma State football coach still wouldn't take back a word.

Gundy was upset about a story that was critical of quarterback Bobby Reid. Instead of talking about the Cowboys' win over Texas Tech on Saturday night, Gundy stuck up for Reid, often screaming at reporters, before hastily departing.

Gundy was asked Monday if he regretted his rant.

"I wish I would've said more," Gundy said. "I'm tired of people downgrading college athletes that are good people."

During the tirade, Gundy expressed disgust about the assertion Oklahoma State's switch to Zac Robinson as the starting quarterback was "less about Robinson's play and more about Reid's attitude."

"Where are we at in society today? Come after me. I'm a man. I'm 40. I'm not a kid," Gundy said Saturday.

The 3 1/2-minute speech spread over the Internet, with video Web site YouTube recording more than 75,000 views.

"It just happened because of my feelings for the team and the players and I just felt like it wasn't the right thing," Gundy said Monday. "I certainly didn't do it to receive recognition and I certainly don't want it to take away from this upcoming game."

Gundy refused to identify what he believes was inaccurate about a column in Saturday's editions of The Oklahoman "because I think it's just gone far enough."

Football Writers Association of America president Mike Griffith said Gundy's behavior was "completely inappropriate" and suggested the matter "could have been handled in a more private and appropriate matter."

CORNHUSKERS FALLOUT: After seeing his defense allow a combined 89 points and more than 1,000 yards in two home games, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan feels the same way as the Cornhuskers' disheartened fans.

"I'm glad we have a 3-1 record as we go into conference competition, but I'm not pleased where we're at," he said.

Nebraska has underperformed for three straight games. Fans' unrest provoked a shower of boos Saturday.

"There is criticism out there. I'm sure I'm at the heart of it," Callahan said.

ETC.: Indiana State fired football coach Lou West and rehired former Sycamores coach Dennis Raetz as interim coach. West, a former defensive coordinator at Toledo, was 1-25 since taking over the Sycamores in 2005. . . . Michigan receiver LaTerryal Savoy has been reinstated to the team after being acquitted of an indecent exposure charge. . . . Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter apologized for swearing during a live radio interview Saturday. . . . South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley will miss the rest of the season because of a sprained right knee. . . . Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said quarterback Brian Johnson, who missed two games after separating a shoulder, will start Saturday. . . . UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan has a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will be sidelined for approximately three weeks.