Oklahoma State paying $4 million for football coaches

For the first time in school history, Oklahoma State has committed a total of more than $4 million to football coaches’ salaries. According to figures released to the Tulsa World by the university, OSU will spend $4,460,000 on coaches’ salaries this year. Last year, the Cowboy coaches collected a combined total of $3,938,000. As was pre-determined in the seven-year contract he signed last year, head coach Mike Gundy is paid $1.925 million this year. Within the Big 12, Gundy’s compensation ranks sixth. He makes a few dollars less than new Kansas coach Turner Gill and a few dollars more than Kansas State’s Bill Snyder. Gundy made $1.8 million last year. In 2011, he is scheduled to make $2.1 million. – Tulsa World

Mike Gundy: Dana Holgorsen is ‘running the show’

After two seasons of overseeing the Oklahoma State offensive operation and handling the play-calling, head coach Mike Gundy said he relinquished offensive duties because he was “stretched too thin” and fatigued by the “wear and tear” of essentially juggling two jobs. “About a week after the (Cotton Bowl), I really started thinking about it,” Gundy said on Wednesday. On Jan. 15, only three days after indicating that he would remain in control of the offense, Gundy hired University of Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. In 2009, Holgorsen’s Cougars led the nation in total offense, passing yards and scoring. “He’s running the show,” Gundy said of Holgorsen, who was given a three-year contract believed to be worth $360,000 annually. – Tulsa World

Scoop: New Names Emerge at Clemson

Three new names have emerged in Clemson’s new coaching search. With Vandy Coach Bobby Johnson, Wake Forest Coach Jim Grobe, Texas DC Will Muschamp, Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville and Interim Coach Dabo Swinney already in the mix, the hunt of off to a great start. Here are three more names that are sure to draw an interest from the Tigers…

Mike Gundy, Head Coach at Oklahoma State: Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips is quite fond of Gundy. Phillips brought the young coach back to Oklahoma State as an assistant a few years back. Gundy is sure to get a call, though he is unlikely interested in leaving his alma mater.

Lane Kiffin, Former Head Coach of Oakland Raiders: Phillips is reported close friends with Kiffin’s father Monte. The two have ties from their time at Arkansas. Kiffin could be a real player in this race.

Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach at Michigan: Richie Rod could be the ultimate wild card. He has told associates he is not happy with the talent level he inherited at Michigan. The natives are already growing restless with the Wolverines’ latest loss to… Toledo. It seems both Rod and Michigan may have buyers remorse. Clemson loves Rich Rodriguez from his days as Tommy Bowden’s OC. Rodriguez and his wife are quite fond of Clemson. Could he bolt Michigan after just one season? It’s unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibilities.