Eric Bailey
Tulsa World OSU Sports Reporter
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STILLWATER — When Doug Meacham runs into Boone Pickens Stadium for Saturday’s contest against Baylor, nothing in his pregame routine will change.
But once the opening kickoff is booted, Oklahoma State’s new interim coach will carry new weight for the first time in his 33 years of coaching.
All eyes will be on him — from his football team to the fans in the stands and media in the press box. He’ll be in charge of helping the Cowboys recover from a rough week.
“I don’t think it will be any different for me. I will take it in stride and just go out there and have fun,” Meacham said.
Meacham is excited about his opportunity to coach at his alma mater, but it is bittersweet.
It had been a crazy 24 hours beginning with Mike Gundy’s announced termination.
Meacham started his 12-minute session with reporters giving appreciation to Gundy, who had hired him twice during the past 21 years.
He also said Gundy’s address to the team after Tuesday’s practice was important.
“I think (after) 21 years you deserve the opportunity to do that,” Meacham said. “He got a chance to do it. He and his wife came out, heartfelt, and I’m glad he had the opportunity to do that.”
Meacham hasn’t only been a coach, he’s been a healer through this process.
What was his first message to the team?
“I want them to have fun. We’ve cut back a smidge at practice. Let’s get rested. Let’s take care of our bodies. Let’s be strong in the fourth quarter. That’s been the message so far,” Meacham said. “I just want these guys to have fun because in the day and age of what we’re doing now, these kids have options. It’s not like back in my day …
“That’s not to say we’re not going to hold them accountable, but at the same time, it’s a sensitive time. We want them to have fun. We want them to go out there, battle, fight and have fun as a unit out there this Saturday.”
There won’t be a major overhaul of things, especially with the season already being three games deep. But there are subtle differences.
Meacham will move from the press box to the sideline for the game, which was expected with his new duties. He’ll depend on his assistant coaches for different situations such as fourth-down calls.
One staff member who can help is Clint Bowen, who is in his first year as an analyst. Bowen was an interim coach for eight games at Kansas when Charlie Weis was fired in 2014.
Meacham was open with the Cowboys’ injury situation.
He updated the status of quarterback Hauss Hejny, who was hurt with a Jones fracture in the first quarter of the season opener.
“He’ll probably be back here in the next few weeks. He’ll be on his feet next week, I believe, walking and doing some things and trying to get back,” Meacham said. “He wants to play. We’re looking forward to maybe adding him in the next few weeks.”
Running back Josh Ford is healthy, he added.
Change is difficult, from the inside-out of the OSU program.
What is his message to the fans?
“Just hang in there and join the fight with us … more than anything you’ve got kids that are fighting hard. Just support them,” he said. “No matter how upset you are about things that are going on, think about these kids.”
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com
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Eric Bailey
Tulsa World OSU Sports Reporter
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