Our "system" if one can call it that, is boring and dead in the water without dynamic playmakers on the outside. Many of us, even the most ardent supporters, have watched a game and been able to call out exactly what we're about to do. Watching Texas, I had no idea what they were going to do but I knew it was going to end up with a playmaker in space 1 on 1 or with someone wide open.
Lots of teams are able to do that year in and year out. What's interesting is that you see it more in the lower CFB levels as teams search for ways to leverage scheme over talent since they can't pull in 3-5 stars consistently, and need a way to be competitive. Holgy brought the lower level mindset to Stillwater briefly, but for most of Gundy's tenure we've approached offense as if we have a group of elite, 5* OL that can line up and pound the rock all day like Alabama. It puts our offense at an immediate disadvantage unless you have an absolutely transcendental talent in the outside WR spot (which we've had a few times to cover up the scheme deficiency).
The weirdest part about this is that Gundy has very much taken a scheme-first approach on defense, because he (correctly) recognizes the difficulty in recruiting......wait for it..........elite DL prospects. His approach is sound due to our disadvantage in recruiting, but it requires a REALLY good DC to make the right calls and adjustments since they control the scheme. In Gundy's tenure, we've had (1) great DC hire.
On offense, we can't have high levels of success with our current scheme, because we are unable to get elite OL prospects consistently. Literally impossible to do, and won't ever be elite until we change our approach to either buy elite OL recruits or change our scheme.
On defense, we're actually more on the right track, but it requires an elite DC (expensive, and probably revolving door of success). Nardo may be a great hire in this regard, but we won't know for another 1-2 seasons, because he was cheap/inexperienced.
Oddly enough, from a structural standpoint, I think Gundy has more correctly handled the defensive side compared to the offensive side
In my opinion, Gundy's main flaw is that he won't allocate more money to the coordinator positions to draw or retain top talent. It is our only chance of elevating our program, but he seems uninterested in doing so.
Now.......if you're willing to be mediocre, and don't care about being elite (like seemingly most of this board), then by all means, Gundy is doing an absolutely amazing job.
To clarify - I don't think Gundy is bad. I just think he's made some decisions that limit our potential, and that seems unacceptable considering his compensation.
but that is what Matt Rhule said and I assume he would know.
