Oklahoma State fires Mike Gundy's former assistant after loss to Baylor

Jeff Hauser

Oklahoma State fires Mike Gundy's former assistant after loss to Baylor image

Oklahoma State appears to be cleaning house. Just days after the firing of Mike Gundy, the school's admin cut ties with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. This came on the heels of a 45-27 loss to Baylor on Saturday in which the Cowboys' defense he led surrendered 612 yards to the Bears. 

The second 600+ yard letdown this season. In the 69-3 loss to Oregon, OSU surrendered 631 yards and could have easily been more with the Ducks going pedestrian in the final quarters. Through four games, Oklahoma State has the worst Power Four defensive unit allowing an average 473.0 yards per game and 35.0 point per game. 

Grantham was hired by Gundy at the end of 2024 season. He'll be replaced by Clint Bowen who has 14 years of experience as a defensive coordinator between Kansas and North Texas.

Oklahoma State moved on from Gundy after 20-plus years on the job following the team's 1-2 start. This didn't sit well with many, including FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd. 

"I think it's idiotic," Cowherd said on Saturday's "Big Noon Kickoff." "Who wins? The student athlete doesn't win. This is college football; it's not pro. They've had a bad run. Sometimes he gets in trouble, [but] I can't believe what they did to him. I think it sends a terrible message. College football is about the student athlete. Nobody wins here." 

Oklahoma State will try to get back on the road against Arizona on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, TNT). 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.