Young out, Spencer in as OSU defensive coordinator

Coach Mike Gundy said Young will be replaced by linebackers coach Glenn Spencer. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken left to become the head coach at Southern Miss and he has not yet been replaced.

Young's exit was somewhat surprising. Leading up to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, he had discussed contemplating retirement after more than 40 years in coaching that included stops at Miami (Fla.), Ohio State, Southern California, Oklahoma and with the NFL's Detroit Lions. But after a dominant performance in the bowl game against Purdue, Young said he had decided to stay as long as he was wanted.

That didn't end up being much longer.

Young's defenses were known for causing turnovers more frequently than any other team in the country. Over his first three seasons, the Cowboys created 108 takeaways, 17 more than any other team. But Oklahoma State couldn't keep up that pace after the best season in school history, falling off to an 8-5 finish this season.

The unit's 22 takeaways ended up in the middle of the pack nationwide, with five of those coming in the 48-14 bowl blowout against Purdue. That total was exactly half of the 44 turnovers forced as Oklahoma State won its first Big 12 championship, the Fiesta Bowl and a school-record 12 games in 2011.

The takeaways had also been a key part in his defense at Kansas in 2007, when the Jayhawks ranked in the top five in the country with 35 turnovers forced on their way to an Orange Bowl victory.