Congratulations to Coach Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State football team. They were within a whisker of a Big 12 Championship and they pulled off a stunning upset victory over storied Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day.
And thanks to legendary coach Bob Stoops, who stepped in as an interim head coach to lead Oklahoma to victory over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.
Gundy and Stoops are not only great coaches but they are great examples of character for the young men in college sports.
Coaches like Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly abandon their teams for more money or perceived greater opportunity. Colleges fire their coaches in mid-season.
Of course, they have every right to pursues different or better opportunities.
Now players have jumped on the bandwagon. Players can now transfer without having to lose eligibility or sit out a season. And many are taking full advantage.
Again, players should have the right and opportunity to change schools without unnecessary hardship.
But does that make it right?
Players are no longer technically amateurs because they can sign promotion contracts to take advantage of their star status. And some players are transferring to other schools to beef up those payouts.
One of the reasons why OSU was so good this year was that a core of players stayed through their entire eligibility to help the Cowboys win. OU is losing perhaps a dozen players to early departures to the NFL or transfers to other schools.
The draw of four years at an alma mater is taking a back seat.
So it’s good to see people like Mike Gundy and Bob Stoops support their universities above self-interest. That is beneficial in sports and in life in general.