Oklahoma State’s former defensive coordinator is wasting no time finding another gig.

On Monday, Doug Samuels of FootballScoop reported that Bryan Nardo is expected to join the defensive staff at Charlotte. One of the most recent teams to jump to the FBS level, Charlotte could soon be adding a coach with Big 12 experience.

Nardo spent the past two seasons in Stillwater as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. While his first season wasn’t necessarily the most impressive, it seemed his adjustments and overall scheme were key in OSU’s ascension to a 10-win season and Big 12 Championship appearance.

However, everything fell apart for Nardo in year 2. With the Cowboys ranking among the bottom 10 in the FBS in most statistical categories, OSU’s defense was the main issue in the team’s winless Big 12 campaign.

However, not all of the blame for OSU’s three-win season can be placed on Nardo. OSU’s offense also struggled mightily throughout the season, but the injuries piling up for the OSU defense sealed Nardo’s fate.

With future NFL players Collin Oliver and Nick Martin not playing a snap after September, the Cowboys were without their anchors and other injuries piled up from there. With a myriad of backups and players not playing in their natural positions, Nardo had no true opportunities to run his desired scheme. Still, OSU’s horrendous rankings and results on the field were still too much to overlook as the team overhauled virtually its entire staff this offseason.

With Nardo heading east, the Cowboys hired Todd Grantham as his replacement shortly after the position opened. Nardo is also not the first former OSU defensive coordinator to head to Charlotte.

After being let go following the 2017 season, Glenn Spencer went to Charlotte and was its defensive coordinator for the 2018 season.

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On Christmas’ Eve’s eve, The Wizards lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 123-105. Washington faced an uphill battle against the league’s second-best team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, regardless of the injury report. But the challenge became more difficult when Bilal Couilably (groin) and Alex Sarr (back) were ruled out. Yet, Washington hung with the Thunder and entered the fourth quarter down just four points. OKC went on a 13-2 run to start the final frame and finally put the Wizards away.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a monster game with 41 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. He went off for 14 points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. SGA shot 3-of-6 from deep, but the rest of the Thunder struggled (7-32, 21.8%). Conversely, the Wizards shot well from deep. They made 16 of their 43 three-point attempts (37.2%) and late, desperation misses brought down that percentage. 19 turnovers and allowing 66 points in the paint did DC in.

Jordan Poole led the team in scoring, again. He poured in 31 points on 20 field goal attempts and 7 assists as opposed to 4 turnovers. Jonas Valanciunas posted another double-double, 12 points and 15 rebounds, in his quest to be traded. Kyshawn George had one of his best games as a Wizards. He scored 11 points, his first double-digit scoring output in December. George also impressed with his defensive activity and quick hands. If he plays that level of defense, his scoring will improve because he’ll be able to play more.

The Wizards take on Charlotte in Capital One Arena one day after Christmas. Kyle Kuzma was still out with a rib injury and we’ll see if he, Coulibaly, or Sarr get back on the court this week. Other injuries to monitor are Bub Carrington and Marvin Bagley. Carrington grabbed his abdomen and went back to the locker room with about 8 minutes left. Marvin Bagley went down with a nasty-looking injury when Isaiah Hartenstein rolled up on his ankle from behind. He had to be helped off.

Okla. (KXII) – Midway through several big hunting seasons, Oklahoma is struggling with a shortage of game wardens.

Oklahoma Senator David Bullard (R-Durant) said that game wardens have an important job to do.

“Those game wardens are there to protect us and protect the wildlife that are on our property from being poached,” he said. “The number one deer stand in Oklahoma for a lot of years was the right or left seat of a pickup truck.”

While there’s still some of that going on, he said it’s not anywhere near how it used to be.

“That’s due in large part to the wildlife department doing their job, being out and about,” Bullard said.

Now, that security could be in jeopardy.

Oklahoma currently has 12 open positions for game wardens – the most vacancies in a long time.

“When that law enforcement presence is not there, people are going to take advantage of it,” he said.

Bullard said one of the reasons the state is having a hard time filling those positions is because they’re simply not paying enough.

“If you’re paying competitive wages, and we’re not right now in the wildlife department, then you’re going to have a hard time recruiting,” he said.

Part of the problem is that the wildlife department is funded solely through ticketing, licenses and fees.

“They haven’t had an increase in licensing or fees in 23 years,” Bullard said.

Bullard said the ship has sailed on any more fee increases for the time being, but they could revisit the compacts they have with local tribes.

“The tribe has been great partners with us, especially on licensing and fees,” he said. “Bring that back up to help – that would be enough money there to give a substantial raise to all of our wildlife agencies and and to our game wardens.”

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