Notes on Oklahoma State's Beckman

Don't let nice quotes from the AP article fool you, Tim Beckman was not Mike Gundy's first choice to be his new defensive coordinator. High profile defensive coordinators such as Reggie Herring (Arkansas), Greg Mattison (Florida), and Dick Bumpass (TCU) were rumored at one time. Any one of those hires may have vaulted OSU to the top of the Big 12 South.

Beckman was defensive coordinator for Bowling Green from 1998 to 2004. His best season was 2001 where his defense was 21st in the country, led by the fourth best rush defense. His next best year produced the nation's 48th best defense - certainly a less than spectacular stint. He was the cornerbacks coach at Ohio State the last two seasons.

Beckman's most attractive element is that he coached under both head coaches from this year's National Championship Game. While Mike Gundy and offensive coordinator Larry Fedora may have what it takes to get the Pokes to a National Championship Game, they'll have to do it despite Beckman.