Soundbytes Of The Decade - #1 Mike Gundy

Isn't that a face you would love to come into your living room and recruit your child? The most ironic thing about our #1 Soundbyte of the Decade is that it has actually helped the person and team involved. 3 years ago, nobody knew who Mike Gundy was, and Oklahoma State was one of the bottom feeders of the Big XII. Today, Mike Gundy is known across the nation, and Oklahoma State is a Big XII title contender and maybe, perhaps, even a sleeper National Title Contender.

So what changed?

The nation knows that Oklahoma State's head coach is a man!

You probably all know the setup, but for those that don't here is the Reader's Digest version. After a September 2007 win over Texas Tech, HC Mike Gundy is a lil upset over an Oklahoman article about demoted starting QB Bobby Reid. Gundy sees the article as filled with inaccuracies and calls out the writer of the article at a press conference, defending the player as a child who has done everything right. He then utters his now famous line, "Come after me! I'm a man! I'm 40!" Even though Ok St finished 2007 at 6-6, since then they have hit the national spotlight. A 9 win season followed in 2008, a 2009 Top 10 preseason ranking, and a 7 year contract for Gundy.

I love everything about this clip. The accent. The pages falling out of the newspaper. The changing of tone, volume, and voice inflexion (perfect public speaking by the way). The calling out of the writer and the editor. Talking about fat kids crying to their mama. Mentioning "amateur" athletes. Calling out society as a whole. The priceless ending. And then, best of all, the awkward round of applause at the end. Originally, we had this clip buried at #6, but after watching and listening to the whole soundbyte, the RSS Award Committee vaulted it to #1! Gundy is part parent, teacher, coach, crazed lunatic, societal commentator, and fire and brimstone preacher all in one. Here now, our Breakout Soundbyte Star of the Decade, Mike Gundy! Congratulations on winning our illustrious Soundbyte of the Decade prize, you earned it!

We hope you've enjoyed our in-depth look at the top 10 soundbytes of the decade. In our next installment of the Decade Series we'll take a look at the Top 10 Athletes of the Decade. Who's athletic prowess will reign supreme? Find out in our RSS Decade Series. Till then, bye for now.