Oklahoma State Hires Bob Connelly as Offensive Line Coach

Dec 1, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; The Baylor Bears offensive line blocks the Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive line during the game at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cowboys 41-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As a proponent of the hurry-up offense, it stands to reason that Mike Gundy wouldn’t waste time in signing an offensive line coach to replace Joe Wickline, who left for the same position at Texas. But with all fingers pointing towards Mike Cavanaugh of Oregon State, Oklahoma State signed up Bob Connelly, not long after Cavanaugh announced he was staying with the Beavers.

Not that Connelly was a rushed hire, he’s an excellent coach who includes an Outland Trophy winner (Andre Smith) and a number of NFL draft picks among his charges. More importantly, the former all-American knows his way around up-tempo offenses, useful knowledge in Stillwater. He also knows the Texas area well, a boon in recruiting.

A career offensive line (and sometimes tight end) coach , Connelly was most recently with Arizona State, whose offense was one of the top in the country. Prior to that he spent 4 years at UTEP, who produced some good offensive performances under his tutelage. He has also had stops at UCLA, Alabama and Washington State. He was out of coaching last season.

Nine of Connelly’s 15 teams have played in bowl games, and he can count Justin Smiley, Evan Mathis and Antoine Caldwell among his protégés.