Holder: No more lip service toward football

�

�There’s pressure to win at this level, especially in your money-making sports. Having the facilities and the resources we’ll have in the future is an advantage for us. The facility upgrade has allowed us to attract more prospects.”

With high expectations and millions being poured into the stadium, the Cowboys need to build some momentum. Some preseason football magazines claim it’s realistic for OSU to play in a bowl this season. Other publications predict a last-place finish in the Big 12 South.

“I’m not going to put any limitations on this season by saying, ‘Just a bowl game is good enough,’ ” Holder said. “I’m not saying ‘You have to go to a bowl.’ Who knows what is possible?”

Gundy’s stance is similar, typical coach-speak in July, two weeks before two-a-days begin.

“We feel we’re a much improved football team,” Gundy said. “To have a goal of being in a bowl isn’t out of the question at all. It’s hard to predict wins and losses. But we feel we’re a much improved team. If we eliminate turnovers and don’t give up big plays on defense that should be evident early in the season.”

Eddie Sutton’s basketball success - two Final Fours and six Sweet 16 appearances - is a model how to fill seats.

For decades, OSU rarely had sellouts for basketball. Once Sutton consistently produced NCAA tournament teams, renovated Gallagher-Iba Arena doubled in size. Every game now is a sellout. There’s a waiting list for season tickets.

OSU has enjoyed some gridiron success. Earlier this decade the Cowboys played in three consecutive bowls under Les Miles. Under Pat Jones, the Cowboys won 44 games in five seasons. Jimmy Johnson won 30 games in five seasons.

Holder is confident OSU football can reach new heights. He endorsed Gundy and his staff by giving all football coaches a one-year extension.

“(Gundy) is not short on confidence,” Holder said. “If I show a little concern about winning ball games he’ll say, ‘You need to worry about something else. We’ll win football games here.’ I like to hear that. I can’t tell you how many times he’s told me that.”

Holder will be patient. But he believes Boone Pickens’ donation has removed excuses. Now it’s up to Gundy and his staff to win consistently.

“Having pressure is reality,” Holder said. “You can’t escape it. Every football coach is expected to win. That’s the one thing that makes your (athletic) program go. Unfortunately football basically pulls the load for your athletic programs. Football and basketball make money. And the largest amount can be made in football.”

Last September, the day he was named AD, Holder made an intriguing comment.

“I want to thank the University of Oklahoma, Texas University, Texas A&M and Nebraska for setting a high standard,” Holder said on Sept. 16. “It’s going to make our job a lot easier. If you want to know what it takes to compete at the highest level, just look down south. We need to expect to do the same things.”

Page 2 of 2