Oklahoma State football: Glenn Spencer gives Cowboys continuity, an ace recruiter in the Southeast

“We are appreciative of everything Coach Young has done for us over the past four years,” Gundy said, “but we are also excited about heading in a new direction with our defense.”

A new direction with a familiar face in co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Glenn Spencer, who was promoted to Young's old post.

And in Spencer, the Cowboys get — well, keep — a respected assistant who brings continuity and an ace recruiter in the Southeast, particularly in his home state of Georgia.

Spencer has not been a full-blown defensive coordinator since 1997, when he held that job at West Georgia for one season before being elevated to head coach.

But after working his way up the assistant ranks at the Division I level at Georgia Tech (running backs/defensive line) and Duke (assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator/defensive backs), Spencer landed at OSU in 2008. By 2011, he had been promoted to co-defensive coordinator.

Under Spencer, don't expect a dramatic change in the Cowboys' defensive style. Creating turnovers, something OSU consistently did under Young until this past season, will likely still be the main focus.

But do expect the cushion the Cowboy cornerbacks gave opposing receivers to catch the ball to shrink. That's something Gundy was openly frustrated about following the regular season.