Big 12 football: Gill, Gundy share a bond

Kansas coach Turner Gill (on Wednesday) and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy (Tuesday) both showed up at Big 12 Media Days wearing paisley ties.  But their similarities go far past wardrobe.

Gill was the greatest quarterback in Big Eight history. Gundy was the leading passer in Big Eight history. Now both are head coaches in the Big 12.

Gill was a 13-year assistant coach at his alma mater, Nebraska, where Gill quarterbacked three straight Big Eight titles (1981-83). He became head coach at Buffalo in 2006 and was hired at Kansas this off-season.

Gill said his quarterbacking days helped prepare him to coach. “Being able to have poise and confidence under pressure,” Gill said. “Being able to handle adversity, being able to problem-solve. That’s what you have to do as a quarterback, and that’s what you have to do as an assistant coach and a head coach. If you’re not able to problem-solve…”

Gill said Nebraska coaching legend Tom Osborne got him into coaching. Osborne asked Gill to come out as a graduate assistant while Gill was playing in the Canadian Football League. “Why don’t you try it,” Osborne said.

Gill said he was skeptical: “Didn’t think you could still have that competitivness as a coach. But I liked it.”