Oklahoma State has officially fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham after just four games into what’s quickly become a disastrous season for the Cowboys. The move, though somewhat delayed, felt inevitable given the historically poor defensive performance the program has endured this fall. While some expected this decision to come alongside the firing of head coach Mike Gundy last week, it ultimately came one week later— and perhaps a final straw following a collapse against Baylor.
Now, Clint Bowen will step into the role on an interim basis, tasked with stabilizing a defense that has been among the worst in college football and giving the new coaching regime a chance to compete over the rest of the season.
Defensive Collapse Reaches Historic Lows
There’s no sugarcoating what has happened to Oklahoma State on the defensive side of the ball. Through four games, the Cowboys are allowing 35 points per game—ranking them 11th worst in the FBS. Their total yardage allowed per game sits in the bottom 10 nationally, and their run defense has been even worse, ranking ninth from the bottom. The pass defense has fared no better, falling into the bottom third of all FBS programs.
This level of performance is not just uncharacteristic for a proud program like Oklahoma State, it’s unacceptable. Week after week, the defense has failed to keep the Cowboys in games, giving up massive chunk plays, missing assignments, and showing little resistance in critical moments. In two of the four games this season, the defense has allowed over 600 yards of offense. That is a level of ineptitude rarely seen at the Power 5 level.
A Burden on the Offense
One of the most damaging effects of a broken defense is what it does to the rest of the team, especially the offense. When you’re allowing over 35 points per game, your offense is under immense pressure to score on nearly every possession. That creates a sense of urgency and pressing that can lead to mistakes, turnovers, and poor decision-making.
Football is a complementary game, and when one side of the ball is this bad, it has a ripple effect on the entire team. Players begin to lose confidence, coaches feel forced to take unnecessary risks, and the game plan becomes distorted. That reality played out clearly in the loss to Baylor this past weekend. The offense moved the ball well in the first half and kept the game close early, but the defense failed to get a stop when it mattered. Baylor finished with 45 points and over 500 yards of offense, making it clear that no amount of offensive effort could overcome what was happening on the other side of the ball.
No Adjustments, No Progress
Perhaps the most frustrating part of Grantham’s tenure has been the lack of noticeable adjustment. From week one, the defense was porous but nothing changed. Week after week, the same problems surfaced: missed tackles, wide-open receivers, and a complete lack of physicality in the trenches. If there were schematic changes happening behind the scenes, they weren’t translating to the field.
Coaching is about recognizing problems and finding solutions. That’s not just about drawing up better plays—it’s about accountability, leadership, and urgency. Grantham’s defense never showed signs of those traits. The fact that the same breakdowns kept appearing made it clear to players, fans, and administrators that something had to give.
A Reset for the Interim Era
With Grantham now out, interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen steps into a challenging situation. He inherits a unit that has been battered mentally and physically. Yet, this move gives the program a chance to reset. The interim head coach, likely leading the team for just this season, deserves a real shot to compete and evaluate the roster without being handicapped by an unfixable defense.
For Bowen, the task isn’t about turning the Cowboys into a top-10 defense overnight. It’s about getting effort, making basic adjustments, and restoring some pride in the unit. If Oklahoma State can simply become competent on defense, it would go a long way toward stabilizing the remainder of the season and showing signs of life under the interim regime.
Moving Forward
The decision to part ways with Todd Grantham was not just justified—it was necessary. The defense wasn’t just struggling; it was broken in every facet. Whether it was poor tackling, blown coverages, or a complete inability to stop the run, the problems were widespread and deeply rooted. With a new head coach in place and a program searching for a new identity, this was a move that had to be made to give the Cowboys any chance of salvaging something from this season.
Now, the spotlight turns to Clint Bowen and the players left on this roster. Can they respond? Can they bring energy, effort, and execution back to a defense that has been lifeless through the first month of the year? The bar has been set low but that might be the opportunity OSU needs to show resilience in the face of adversity.