O’Colly
sports
Friday, April 21, 2023 Page 7B
Nardo’s defense provides confidence to his players
Davis Cordova Staff Reporter
Jaiden Daughty Bryan Nardo’s 3-3-5 defense allows his players to play with confidence, as long as they know what to do.
Defense
5
0
2
6
30
44
1
94
97
92
3
2023 Projected starters 94 DE - Anthony Goodlow 97 NT - Justin Kirkland 92 DE - Nathan Latu 30 LB - Collin Oliver 44 LB - Justin Wright 1 LB - Xavier Benson 2 CB - Korie Black 0 S - Lardarius Webb Jr. 5 S - Kendal Daniels 6 S - Lyrik Rawls 3 CB - Cam Smith
HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE
Bryan Nardo doesn’t want recognition for a good play call. Nardo wants his players to receive all the glory for the play. That’s just one example representing OSU’s new defensive coordinator’s care for his players and how his scheme works well for the Cowboys. “I don’t want people to say, ‘Oh my God what a great call by Bryan Nardo,’ I want people to say, ‘What a great play by Oklahoma State’s defense.’ It’s not about me, it’s about our players,” Nardo said. In January, OSU coach Mike Gundy hired Nardo from Gannon University, a small college in Pennsylvania. The hire received mixed reactions from fans and media. Some questioned how a defensive gameplan from a Division-II school would transition into the Big 12. That will not be determined until fall, but one thing is certain – Nardo cares about his players. Nardo brings a defense seen in the Big 12. He runs a 3-3-5, something
Iowa State runs and can do to affect the has had success with. outcome. During The scheme counters the game, I’m very the air raid attack, calm because the which is common in players have already the conference. done their preparaNardo cultivat- tion. You don’t yell ed his defense to the at somebody taking liking of the players. a test, you let them He said his defensive go play. You try and system provides play- guide them if they ers support to play to ask a question.” the best of their abiliNardo has ties, without the need made quite the imto do too much. pression and impact “What I’ve on his players. He’s learned is it allows popular among the for players to play offensive group, too. with a lot of confiDuring Mondence as long as they day’s availability, a know what to do,” group of offensive Nardo said. “There’s players led by runnot that perfect ning backs Ollie check, it doesn’t Gordon and Jaden have to be a perfect Nixon hooted and defense, it doesn’t hollered for Nardo. have to be a perfect All Nardo could do call. It’s not selfwas smile, laugh and correcting because say ‘it’s easy to have that would make it fun around good seem like it’s way too kids.” easy, it’s not that, but Nardo makes it gives our players a sure to respect and lot of tools to where care about his players they are not put into as people because it a bad situation.” helps the players and Nardo makes the team succeed. sure he and his “If a player players are prepared doesn’t know you come game day care about them, because he doesn’t they won’t care what do much coaching you know,” Nardo during the game. said. “Sometimes I Nardo said that think we miss that coaching happens as coaches. We think mostly during practhat we have to draw tice. When it comes this perfect play. The to the game, it’s all players make the about business and play, we put them in executing the game a position to be sucplan. cessful, but they are “I heard some- the ones in the game one say that ‘practice on Saturday. If I fail is class,’” Nardo said. as a coach, then fine. “If you hear a good If my players don’t teacher, a teacher think I care about doesn’t say a word them, shame on me.” during a test, so I’m very nervous going up to a game because there’s nothing I sports.ed@ocolly.com