ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:59 PM)

Program Alert! Due to some scheduling conflicts we have to move up Coach Gundy's chat to 4 p.m. ET!

Mike Gundy

  (4:06 PM)

Hello!

Brad (Sherman, TX)

The players have been wearing off season shirts with the word "Catalyst" on the back across the shoulders. Tell us what that means, who came up with the term, and etc.?

Mike Gundy

  (4:06 PM)

The reason is it is a person who will step up and always be a leader. Where we were at with the team, we needed catalysts. Rob Glass, our strength coach, came up with that.

Vince Mullins (Orlando, FL)

With a new defensive coordinator, do you expect to be more involved in gameday defensive adjustments, or will your trust in the staff allow you to again focus on offense almost exclusively?

Mike Gundy

  (4:07 PM)

I feel very comfortable and confident with our defensive staff. I don't put enough time and hours in during the week on the defensive side of the ball to get more involved than crucial situations. I feel comfortable with that.

Conner (Tulsa)

Will anything less than a BSC bowl appearance be a disappointment for the Cowboy football program?

Mike Gundy

  (4:08 PM)

We never try to set a standard on what would be good for bad from a win loss standpoint. We just want to get the maximum out of our players and if we do that and have that kind of attitude, good things will happen.

Dan (Fort Worth)

Has anyone emerged as a legitimate 2nd receiver threat to help take pressure off of Dez?

Mike Gundy

  (4:09 PM)

DeMarcus Connor. Josh Cooper. One of those two guys need to step up to the plate and make plays early in the season.

Michael (Athens, GA)

Coach,UGA student here and was just wondering what kind of atmosphere and temperatures we can expect when we make the trip out to Stillwater?

Mike Gundy

  (4:10 PM)

Atmosphere should be terrific. Temperatures will be very very warm. I'm going to guess mid to upper 90s and probably around 115 on the field. I hope you have a fun time to Stillwater.

Brad (Gadsden, Alabama)

Mike, What do you like to do in the free time?

Mike Gundy

  (4:10 PM)

I have three young boys and I spend a lot of time playing little league baseball and fishing. Just quality family time.

Thomas (Tulsa)

How much have the new facilities impacted your talks with potential players?

Mike Gundy

  (4:11 PM)

It has been tremendous. We have seen an increased interest in our program with the excitement of the new facility.

Matt K (OSU '96) (West Des Moines, IA)

With all the pre-season hype for our program/new facilities, who is feeling more pressure; the offense to pick up where they left off or the defense to come out strong and show the world we are a complete team to be respected?

Mike Gundy

  (4:12 PM)

Good question. I would say the defense feels more inclined to play at a high level. I say that because there are several returning veterans on the offense.

Nathan Jeffers (Santa Cruz CA)

Hi Coach Gundy,I am huge Sooners fan (no offense). I was wondering what your brother (former OU QB) Cale was up to these days? Is he coaching as well? Also, any big names showing up to the UGA game that you're aware of? Barry Sanders? Thurman Thomas? Garth Brooks? I will be rooting for the Pokes that day.

Mike Gundy

  (4:13 PM)

I would say, yes. There will be a number of ex-players and celebs at the game with Georgia. Cale is doing well. He has been on vacation at the lake and having a great summer.

Mike (oklahoma city)

It was pointed out on a sports program that Zac had not really been a quarterback all that long and was still learning to throw the ball correctly. Has his arm strength and technique improved over the summer, or was it just fine all along?Thank You, Coach.

Mike Gundy

  (4:14 PM)

Zac still has room for improvement as a passing QB. Each summer he has continued to improve. We'll know more about arm strength when we start camp on Aug. 5.

Reed (Hamilton, Texas)

Coach Gundy, Bill Young brings a wealth of experience to the table as far as his defensive knowledge goes. How has he been able to relate to the players and do you feel that OSU could potentially be better on the defensive side of the ball this season, despite the loss of several players in the secondary?

Mike Gundy

  (4:15 PM)

This has gone very well. The players have taken a liking to him. We are very excited about the defense because of this. They are already rallying around him as a coach.

Garrett Donnelly (Colorado Springs, CO)

I have a two part question. First, what do you think will be your teams biggest challenge when you face the Georgia Bulldogs on 5 September? Second, 2009 is suppose the be the year of redemption for the Bulldog defense whose less than stellar performance in '08 earned them nationwide criticism. Does Georgia's defense ("having a HUGE chip on their shoulder" coming into this season) give you any cause for concern?

Mike Gundy

  (4:15 PM)

Stopping their run game will be the first priority. Then we have to really protect Zach.

Cole G. (Dallas, TX)

Would you rather have dinner with Garth Brooks or Boone Pickens?

Mike Gundy

  (4:16 PM)

Since I've had dinner with Boone, I'd like to have a chance to have dinner with Garth Brooks.

Conner (Tulsa)

Do you still see yourself at OSU in 5 years?

Mike Gundy

  (4:16 PM)

Yes. No question. Very committed to OSU and so thankful for the opportunity I have. They have been tremendous to our family.

Jeff (OKC)

Will we be undefeated when we play OU in Norman?

Mike Gundy

  (4:17 PM)

If I had a crystal ball I could answer that question. We will certainly try to be in a position to win every game and have a tremendous season. A lot of hard work and effort will go into it.

Patrick (Tulsa)

Do you think there's a perception that OSU has to play second fiddle to the Sooners in Oklahoma?

Mike Gundy

  (4:18 PM)

We don't consider ourselves second fiddle to anyone. No question they have had a run of success in the conference, but the players and coaches at OSU work to have success every Saturday no matter who we play.

Jake (Glenwood Springs, CO)

Mike, Do you prefer to play big non-conference games against tough bcs opponents or would you rather keep the non-conf schedule lighter considering you play in the Big XII South and have plenty of tough games later in the season?

Mike Gundy

  (4:19 PM)

Our goal is to play what people would consider to be a top-notch, difficult non-conf opponent and also games that are intriguing to the fans. We don't want to overdo it. As you say, we are in a tough conference with little to no room for error.

Kevin J Klein (Dallas, TX)

OSU has had struggles on the road against the Big 12 South. How do you prepare the team to improve/execute in those types of hostile situations?

Mike Gundy

  (4:21 PM)

Sometimes you can prepare for noise with hand signals but in hostile environments is just communcation and good practice. Our practice and confidence in being able to make a play is ultimately more important.

O (Tulsa)

Mike, how do you think having a different defensive coordinator will affect things? Leaning a new system?

Mike Gundy

  (4:22 PM)

When you change coaches, it can be difficult for the players at time, and also the coaches. But Coach Young has a simple system to learn and he is very easy to get along with. He is a player's coach.

Sam (OSU'07) (Camden, AR)

Coach, have you and Mike holder thought about playing a game in dallas like other big 12 teams? maybe with other big 12 teams or some one like LSU?

Mike Gundy

  (4:23 PM)

Yes, it has come up a number of times we just haven't been able to agree on anything. But it could very well happen in the near future.

Justin (Leedy)

How do you get you hair to do that?

Mike Gundy

  (4:24 PM)

My hair stands up naturally. I have a hard time getting it to go down.

J.Z. (Tulsa)

Mike, what specific area do you expect Dez Bryant to improve the most in the coming season?

Mike Gundy

  (4:24 PM)

Dez needs to become a better blocker. Most everything else about his game is pretty good.

Dru (Oklahoma City)

Coach,We lost our award winning punter year. Yet, OSU is being predicted to still have the #1 special teams this year. Where do you think we stand in our kicking game?

Mike Gundy

  (4:25 PM)

Obviously when he left, he is a hard guy to replace. But I have a lot of faith in our special teams coach Joe DeForest and his ability to come up with a quality kicker, punter and a sound special teams unit.

Carson (Dallas.)

Coach, even though he is not your player, are you tired of constantly hearing about Brett Farve?

Mike Gundy

  (4:26 PM)

I do think he will play again. I don't hear about it a lot because I don't follow the NFL very closely. But it would be interesting to see him get one more shot.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

During the season, what is the one thing that you are most motivated to do on any given day?

Mike Gundy

  (4:27 PM)

Just my drive for success and a want for our team to reap the benefits of winning. They put so much into winning, I want to see them succeed. That motivates me.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Given the chance, what is the #1 thing that you would change about college football?

Mike Gundy

  (4:28 PM)

Now that I really think about it, no.

Chad (Kansas)

Coach. Does not being able to be around the players during the summer make you nervous?

Mike Gundy

  (4:29 PM)

It makes me nervous. I want to be around the players all the time. I want them to be able to have some time to themselves, but I want to be around them all the time.

Justin (Kansas City, MO)

Coach - What's your favorite post-game meal? Our group will have plenty on the smoker before and after everygame.. in front of Morrill, have a smoker on a trailer.. stop by sometime!

Mike Gundy

  (4:29 PM)

Usually some sort of a breakfast menu because we get out so long. I have the TV show after the games so usually my wife and I go out and eat breakfast food.

Justin (Oklahoma City)

Who has had the greatest influence on you as a coach?

Mike Gundy

  (4:30 PM)

Two people ... my dad was not a coach but he was the biggest influence on me in terms of a work ethic. My high school coach, Richard Evans, was also a big influence.

Matt (Tulsa)

Will we ever break out the black uni's again?

Mike Gundy

  (4:31 PM)

Not anytime soon. It has never been a fan favorite at home games even though I do think they are a good looking uniform.

CHG (In a Cubical...Dallas, TX)

Does Dez have a chance at winning the Heisman Trophey this year? It seems to be a quarterback award these days.

Mike Gundy

  (4:32 PM)

I would agree with it becoming a QB award. It's difficult for a WR but he will have an opportunity. He is getting a lot of national attention and could do it if things fall in place.

Ryan P. (Stillwater)

Did you play any other sports in high school other than football?

Mike Gundy

  (4:32 PM)

Wrestled for 12 years and played baseball for 15. I was a shortstop and also played 3B.

Ben (OK)

Who is your favorite coach in the game today?

Mike Gundy

  (4:33 PM)

My head coach in college, Pat Jones, was a great guy to pattern ones self after. He was so tough and just had great discipline.

Michael (Detroit)

What is your best memory from your playing days at OSU?

Mike Gundy

  (4:34 PM)

Probably the '88 Holiday Bowl.

Matt (KC)

you said you wrestled, do you and coach (John) Smith ever throw down?

Mike Gundy

  (4:35 PM)

Not now. But Coach Smith and I used to wrestle back in the early 80s. John grew up 5 miles away from each other. I'm glad I don't have to wrestle him anymore. He is a 7-time world champion.

Pete (Oklahoma)

Will Dez show any signs of his injury or is he 100%?

Mike Gundy

  (4:35 PM)

Dez is 100 percent. Running very well this summer.

Matt Martinez (Texas)

Do you agree with Romo that young athletes should play more than one sport to help them develop athletically?

Mike Gundy

  (4:36 PM)

I agree with that. Not only does it help athletically, but you are continually competing throughout the year.

Ross Flip (Stillwater)

Do you think that there might be a future Gundy on the Gridiron at OSU?

Mike Gundy

  (4:37 PM)

Not sure right now. I have three chances. Three boys that will play football. Not sure how far they will take. If they go all the way, we'll make sure they play at OSU!

Kevin (Tulsa)

Is it worth the risk to have Dez return punts

Mike Gundy

  (4:38 PM)

Certainly worth it. Every chance he gets to touch the football, we want to give him the opportunity.

Mike Gundy

  (4:38 PM)

Thanks for the questions! I enjoyed the questions. I appreciate all the interest in college football!