Oklahoma State football is making a major move to revamp its defense as the Cowboys have reportedly hired Todd Grantham as their next defensive coordinator. The news, which broke Sunday via ESPN, comes on the heels of a pivotal weekend for head coach Mike Gundy, who agreed to a contract restructure. This move signals a shift in philosophy and a commitment to retooling after a disappointing 3-9 season.
A New Era for OSU Defense
Grantham, currently with the New Orleans Saints as a defensive line coach, brings decades of experience to Stillwater. His coaching resume spans multiple high-profile programs and professional organizations, and he arrives at OSU after an underwhelming 2023 season where the Cowboys’ defense ranked near the bottom of the FBS in total defense, rush defense, and pass defense. The firing of defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo earlier this week was a necessary step after OSU struggled mightily on that side of the ball.
It’s clear that Gundy is looking to shake things up and infuse the defense with a new identity under Grantham’s tutelage. For a program that has prided itself on high-powered offenses and a consistently competitive nature in the Big 12, improving a defense that faltered last season is now priority number one.
Grantham’s Long and Varied Coaching Journey
Todd Grantham is no stranger to high-pressure coaching positions. His extensive career, which began in 1990, includes stops across both college football and the NFL. After a playing career at Virginia Tech, where he suited up as a guard and tackle from 1984-88, Grantham transitioned into coaching. His first coaching gig was with the Hokies, where he began his journey up the coaching ranks.
Grantham’s most recent college work was as a defensive analyst for Alabama in 2022. Prior to that, he served as defensive coordinator for Florida from 2018-2021, a position that had mixed results. Known for his aggressive, attacking style, Grantham has consistently been a coach who demands a physical and hard-nosed defense, even when results on the field have been inconsistent.
Throughout the 2010s, Grantham held defensive coordinator roles at Georgia, Louisville, and Mississippi State, all of which shaped his defensive philosophy. His time as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2005-2007) adds an NFL pedigree to his resume, though much of his professional career in the NFL has been spent as a defensive line coach.
The Grantham Effect: What to Expect at OSU
So, what does Todd Grantham bring to the table for the Cowboys?
First and foremost, experience. Grantham has been in virtually every situation possible in his coaching career. Whether at the college or NFL level, as a position coach or defensive coordinator, he’s been battle-tested in some of the most high-profile programs in the country. This deep well of experience could be exactly what Oklahoma State needs to get back on track defensively.
Grantham is known for his aggressive, pressure-heavy schemes. He likes to send defenders at the quarterback, emphasizing sacks and forced turnovers. This could be a welcome change for OSU, whose defense last season was criticized for its inability to generate consistent pressure or make game-changing plays. Grantham’s defenses typically feature a heavy emphasis on blitzing, with a secondary that often plays tight coverage, daring quarterbacks to make quick, risky decisions.
While Grantham’s tenure at Florida may have had its ups and downs, his previous stops at Georgia and Mississippi State showed that when his system is firing on all cylinders, his defenses can be dominant. Under his watch, Mississippi State was a top-10 defense in multiple seasons, and his time at Georgia produced some elite defensive units in the mid-2000s.
Gundy’s Coaching Overhaul
The hiring of Grantham comes after Mike Gundy made the rare decision to restructure his contract over the weekend, signaling a shift in the direction of the program. Gundy, entering his 21st season at OSU, clearly recognizes the need for a change after a disastrous 3-9 season. While OSU has long been known for its explosive offenses, the lack of defensive prowess has often undermined the team’s potential to compete at a higher level in the Big 12.
By hiring a coach with Grantham’s pedigree and defensive acumen, Gundy is signaling that he’s not content with simply staying competitive; he wants OSU to become a well-rounded, championship-contending program. Grantham’s track record shows that he can turn around struggling defenses, and Gundy is clearly hoping that will be the case in Stillwater.
A Sign of Bigger Changes?
The hiring of Todd Grantham may not just be about improving the defense. It could also signal a broader shift in the way Gundy is approaching his staff and future team-building. Grantham’s extensive experience and proven ability to coach at a high level, both in the NFL and college football, could be part of a broader effort to bring more veteran coaches into the fold.
As OSU moves forward, particularly after parting ways with Nardo and revamping its defensive staff, it’s clear that the Cowboys’ program is at a crossroads. Hiring someone like Grantham shows that Gundy is looking for a quick turnaround and is willing to bring in seasoned coaches to make it happen.
Will Grantham’s Leadership Turn Around the Defense?
The 2023 season was a disaster for OSU’s defense, and it’s clear that things need to change if the Cowboys are to return to competitive form. Grantham’s extensive experience, combined with his reputation for building aggressive, opportunistic defenses, could be the right fit for a program in need of a defensive overhaul.
If Grantham can instill discipline, create more havoc in the backfield, and improve the Cowboys’ ability to stop both the run and the pass, OSU could see a major turnaround in 2024.
For Gundy, Grantham’s arrival is a bold first step toward regaining the competitive edge the Cowboys have lacked in recent years. Whether or not that translates to a dramatic improvement next season will depend largely on how quickly Grantham can implement his system and get buy-in from his players.
One thing is certain: Oklahoma State’s defense is about to get a lot more interesting under Todd Grantham’s leadership. Whether it will be enough to improve on last year’s 3-9 record remains to be seen, but OSU fans can take solace in the fact that their defense is now in the hands of a coach with a proven track record of success.
