Without Bill Young: Impact?

OSU announced Thursday that defensive coordinator Bill Young would be missing from the program over the next 7-10 days, due to a medical issue.

The immediate reaction: a big “get well” to Young, who has been a kind man in general and an excellent coach to deal with on a professional level since his return to Stillwater in 2009.

The short recuperation period suggests that whatever it was Young is/was dealing with is more than manageable. And let’s hope so.

As for the football implications: the Cowboys have a strong backup plan, if you want to call it that, in co-coordinator Glenn Spencer.

That’s not to say Young won’t be missed, especially next week when this team goes on the road for the first time toArizona. The Wildcats are expected to be talented on offense. And the game day machination will be stretched, as Young is the man on the field and Spencer the eyes above in the booth, always connected via headset. At least Saturday’s opener against Savannah State offers the defensive staff an opportunity to adjust in a less-than-stressful situation.