Clint Bowen may not be the DC for Oklahoma State in 2026, but Bowen should be retained.
STILLWATER, Okla. —
Before I begin, I’m fully in support of UNT DC Skyler Cassity taking over as DC for Oklahoma State, however Oklahoma State needs to retain interim DC Clint Bowen if possible.
The 2025 season was a nightmare for Oklahoma State Cowboys football, culminating in a dismal 1-11 record, the program’s worst in over three decades. Amid the chaos, which included the midseason firing of longtime head coach Mike Gundy and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen stepped in to steady a sinking ship.
Now, with Eric Morris taking the reins as the new head coach after a successful stint at North Texas, one of his first major decisions should be retaining Bowen on the defensive staff. Despite the losses, data from Bowen’s tenure shows clear signs of progressive improvement game by game, suggesting that with a full offseason and resources, he could transform the Cowboys’ defense into a competitive unit in the Big 12.
Oklahoma State’s 2025 campaign started with promise but quickly unraveled. Under Grantham, the defense allowed an average of 35 points and 473 total yards per game over the first four contests, including blowouts against Oregon (69 points, 631 yards) and Baylor (45 points, 612 yards).
The lone win came against FCS opponent UT Martin, but losses piled up, leading to Gundy’s dismissal after three games and Grantham’s exit after four.
Enter Clint Bowen, a veteran Big 12 coach with over 25 years of experience, including head coaching stints at Kansas and defensive roles across the conference.
Bowen assumed interim duties starting with the October 4 road game against Arizona. Over the ensuing eight games, all losses, as the offense averaged just 14.2 points per game, the defense faced a gauntlet of Big 12 opponents.
Yet, buried in the record is evidence of adaptation and growth, particularly in key metrics like points allowed, total yards, rushing defense, and passing defense.
Bowen’s first few games were rocky, as expected with a midseason change. Against Arizona, the Cowboys allowed 41 points and 478 total yards, with the pass defense getting torched for 433 yards and five touchdowns.
However, even here, there were bright spots: the rush defense held Arizona to a mere 45 yards on 33 attempts (1.36 yards per carry), showcasing Bowen’s emphasis on stopping the run.
The next outing against Houston saw similar struggles, 39 points and 485 yards allowed, but the points dipped slightly, and the rush defense remained solid at 3.69 yards per carry.
By the Cincinnati game, total yards allowed dropped to 427, though points ballooned to 49 due to four passing touchdowns.
The turning point came around mid October. Against Texas Tech, Bowen’s unit limited the Red Raiders to 370 total yards and just 88 rushing yards (2.20 per carry), a marked improvement in efficiency despite 42 points allowed.
Points then trended downward: 38 against Kansas (with passing yards held to a season-low 110), followed by a standout performance versus Kansas State, where the defense surrendered only 14 points, 284 total yards, and forced an interception.
The late season surge continued. At UCF, Oklahoma State allowed 17 points and forced two interceptions, holding the Knights to 396 yards.
The finale against Iowa State saw just 20 points and 346 yards conceded, with passing limited to 113 yards.
Quantitatively, the trends are compelling:
Points Allowed: Started at 41-49 in the first four games under Bowen, but dropped to 14-20 in the final four, an average reduction from 42.75 to 22.75.
Total Yards Allowed: From 478-485 early, down to 284-396 in the latter half, averaging 391 yards per game overall (compared to 473 under Grantham).
Rushing Yards Allowed: Averaged 142 per game, with elite showings like 45 vs. Arizona and 88 vs. Texas Tech, improving from Grantham’s 213 average.
Passing Yards Allowed: High early (433 vs. Arizona), but plummeted to 110-271 in the last five, reflecting better secondary adjustments.
Turnovers Forced: Bowen’s defense notched at least five interceptions in eight games, compared to one under Grantham, adding opportunistic plays.
These improvements weren’t against cupcakes; they came against solid Big 12 foes like Kansas State and Iowa State, where the defense kept games competitive despite offensive woes.
Eric Morris, known for his offensive prowess at North Texas, inherits a program in rebuild mode. Retaining Bowen makes strategic sense. First, continuity on defense would allow Morris to focus on revamping the anemic offense without overhauling both sides of the ball. Bowen’s 3-4 scheme showed adaptability, tightening up as players bought in, imagine the results with spring practices, recruiting input, and a full staff.
Second, Bowen’s Big 12 pedigree is invaluable. His experience at Kansas and elsewhere equips him to navigate the conference’s high octane offenses.
The late season defensive uptick suggests he’s building something sustainable, not just patching holes.
Finally, firing Bowen risks further instability. The 2025 defense wasn’t the sole culprit, the offense’s 14.2 points per game left little margin for error.
With Morris’s arrival, pairing his offensive vision with Bowen’s improving defense could yield quick dividends in 2026.
In a season defined by failure, Clint Bowen’s interim stint offered glimmers of hope. Eric Morris would be wise to keep him aboard.
It’s a low-risk move with high upside potential for turning around Oklahoma State’s fortunes.