Gundy, Cowboys believe in Yurcich’s head-coaching potential
STILLWATER — Mike Yurcich has experience coming from anonymity into the spotlight. He’s made sure to give Taylor Cornelius, Oklahoma State’s fifth-year senior quarterback, some advice about doing the same.
“He said I need to turn off my social media notifications,” said Cornelius, who’s expected to make his first collegiate start Thursday against Missouri State.
Entering his sixth season as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, Yurcich has faced his share of Twitter heat, but his players and superior remain fans of his offensive intelligence and acumen. Since OSU coach Mike Gundy scooped up Yurcich from Division II Shippensburg, the Cowboys have won 10 games four times in five years. In those four seasons, OSU finished no worse than 21st in the nation in points per drive, ranking fourth in 2017.
That success has led to the possibility Yurcich might not be in Stillwater for a seventh season.
“Mike has been tremendous for us,” Gundy said during OSU’s media day. “He’s going to be a head coach. It’s just a matter of time. It’s certainly better for us if he’s here, but I also want him to get the job that he wants, and he’s worked extremely hard and been very loyal to Oklahoma State football.”
Yurcich has been involved in discussions for head-coaching positions, mostly from mid-major schools such as Tulane in 2015 and Kent State a year ago. Kent State instead hired Syracuse co-offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, giving him a deal worth about $460,000 annually for five years.
Yurcich recently received a $200,000 raise to $800,000, making him the highest-paid assistant in OSU history.
“It’s outrageous, enormous,” Yurcich said during the Cowboys’ media golf outing in late July. “I do appreciate it. Our family appreciates it very much.”
Yurcich, who hasn’t been made available to the media since fall camp began, lives in Stillwater with his wife, Julie, and their three children. He has previously said he believes Stillwater is a good place to raise a family.
“He’s loyal and true,” Cornelius said, echoing the university’s alma mater. “He loves OSU. His kids are here. They’re growing up here.”
Receiver Dillon Stoner noted that, given the offensive talent OSU lost to the NFL, this offseason would’ve been a perfect time for Yurcich to leave had he wanted. Instead, Stoner views Yurcich’s commitment to the Cowboys as a sign of belief in what this 2018 team can accomplish.
“That shows his trust in us,” Stoner said. “He’s a great play-caller, and I know that we’re more than capable of picking up where we left off last year.”
Their ability to do that could come down to the connection between Yurcich and Cornelius. With Yurcich being OSU’s longest-tenured offensive coordinator since Larry Coker was having Gundy hand off to Barry Sanders in 1988, Cornelius has learned from Yurcich longer than any other quarterback-coordinator duo in the Cowboys’ recent history.
Thrust into the starting role, Cornelius is thankful to still have Yurcich guiding the way. OSU’s next quarterback might not be able to say the same.
“Whoever gets that guy is gonna get a steal,” Cornelius said. “He’s an unbelievable talent. I love him to death.
“I’m glad he stuck around for my final year.”