In a relatively unexpected move, Mike Gundy announced Thursday that Glenn Spencer will no longer be working in his capacity as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State. Gundy made no comment as to the reasoning, but Spencer’s lack of productivity is surely behind the move.

Spencer, who started at OSU in 2008, spent time as the defensive line coach, then as the linebackers coach beginning in 2009, and was promoted to DC in 2013. His defenses since then have been ranked, respectively, 53rd, 93rd, 100th, 92nd, and 79th in FBS.

OSU has always adopted a “bend but don’t break” defensive mindset, and this coaching change appears to signal a shift in the way the Cowboys do business. In 2017, Spencer’s defense allowed 29.4 PPG (79th) and appeared to play a large part in the Cowboy losses this past year; OSU allowed 45 points against Kansas State (L), 62 points against Oklahoma (L), and 42 points against Iowa State in a near miss.

This comes just days after ESPN’s article on Mike Yurcich and Gundy’s unorthodox approach to assistant coaches. Yurcich, the former Shippensburg U coach, was up for the Broyles Award in 2016. Gundy has not yet named a replacement, and a short list is not evident, but the Cowboys HC isn’t the type to make a move without a plan, as evidenced by his ability to find Yurcich.

In a press release issued by Oklahoma State, Gundy commented, “I’m very appreciative for the 10 years of loyal service that Glenn Spencer gave to Oklahoma State.”