MISSOULA — Former Montana head coach Bob Stitt is joining Mike Gundy’s staff at Oklahoma State as an offensive analyst, as first reported by Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated
Stitt posted a 21-14 record in three seasons coaching the Griz, including 14-11 in Big Sky Conference play. UM athletic director Kent Haslam elected to not renew Stitt’s after last season’s 7-4 finish. Montana missed the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1991 and 1992.
The three offensive analysts on Gundy’s staff last season each made salaries of $50,000 annually. Stitt had a base salary of $175,000 his final season at Montana. Stitt’s contract is set to expire on January 31.
Montana did not renew Bob Stitt’s contract after three seasons at UM/ by Brooks Nuanez
Analyst roles are considered non-coaching positions on coaching staffs and do not count against the NCAA maximum of 10 assistant coaches. Analysts cannot coach players during practices or games and cannot recruit. Analysts can help with scouting reports, game plans and play calling duties.
Former Montana State defensive coordinator Kane Ioane has a defensive analyst job on Chris Petersen’s staff at Washington. Ioane sits in the coordinator box with defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski during games.
Since taking over at Oklahoma State in 2005, Gundy is 114-53, including 69-42 in Big XII play. The Cowboys have finished in the Top 25 of the final polls seven times and in the top 15 four times, including a No. 14 finish following 2017’s 10-3 campaign that ended with a 30-21 win over Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl.
Gundy has led the Cowboys to a bowl game in every season save his first. OSU is 8-4 in bowl games, including a win in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl to finish No. 3 in the country. Gundy and the Cowboys are known for their wide open spread offense, a style that fits Stitt’s philosophies and preferences.
Last season, the Griz averaged 35 points per game, second in the league and threw for 305.5 yards per game, the third-best average in the Big Sky. Redshirt freshman Gresch Jensen took over for injured senior starter Reece Phillips three games into the season and went on to complete 60.2 percent of his passes for 2,531 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.
Wide receiver Jamaal Jones earned first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2015, Stitt’s first season at the helm. Offensive tackle David Reese earned first-team All-Big Sky honors last season.
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
