Oklahoma State has suspended Richetti Jones, the team’s Director of Player Development, following a verbal altercation with safety DeAndre Boykins on the sideline during Saturday’s game against Baylor. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the program’s internal culture and discipline.
Jones, a former OSU defensive end from 2012 to 2015, has held the Director of Player Development post since 2021. According to sources close to the situation, the verbal exchange between Jones and Boykins escalated in the heat of the game, prompting leadership to step in and impose an indefinite suspension for Jones. Meanwhile, Boykins has been dismissed from the program and has entered the transfer portal. Seems like both were in the wrong here with what went down on the sideline last Saturday. No place for anything like that in the locker room despite the struggles on the field as a team.
The incident adds another layer of complexity to the Cowboys’ season, as OSU navigates not only on-field performance but also the health of its internal relationships and leadership structures. The fact that this breakdown happened publicly — in front of teammates, coaches, and fans — raises critical questions about communication, authority, and accountability within the program.
For Jones, the suspension marks a significant setback. His role is often behind the scenes: player mentoring, development, helping to bridge the gap between coaching staff and athletes, particularly younger or fringe players. A Director of Player Development’s influence on culture, player morale, and day-to-day operations is significant, even if it doesn’t show up directly in box scores or recruiting headlines. The key words here are influence on culture and he seemed to lose his cool in a position of responsibility where he is the igniter for culture building within the program.
Meanwhile, Boykins’ dismissal underscores that the fallout is not limited to Jones. The program seems intent on sending a message that sideline conflicts and public confrontations won’t be tolerated, regardless of the parties involved. Whether Boykins’ departure is strictly disciplinary or tied to deeper tensions, perhaps disagreements over playing time, coaching decisions, or internal dynamics, will be something to watch. A statement was clearly made that no matter what position you're in with this program, that type of behavior won't be tolerated.
Going forward, OSU coaches and staff will have a delicate balancing act. The suspension must be handled fairly and transparently (as much as the internal nature of personnel matters allows). Trust will need to be rebuilt, both with players and among staff. With key games on the schedule, the Cowboys cannot afford further distractions or fractures within the team.
In short, the Jones‑Boykins altercation is more than a public confrontation. It’s a symptom of deeper pressures, and how Oklahoma State responds may prove just as important as how they respond on the field.