Sad news out of Stillwater, as Oklahoma State video coordinator Jeff Naple passed away on Sunday morning after a bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 54.
An Oklahoma State graduate, Naple served the Pokes’ athletics department for 25 years, first as a student manager under head coach Jimmy Johnson, then as a member of the Cowboys’ video staff. Naple worked under head coaches Pat Jones and Bob Simmons, then left to take jobs at Pittsburgh, Webb Technology Group and with the Dallas Cowboys. He returned to Stillwater in 2001 as video coordinator for Les Miles, and remained on staff when Mike Gundy took over in 2005.
"(Naple’s) service to Oklahoma State and to Cowboy football over a span of many years was remarkable,” Gundy said in a statement. “He was outstanding at his job and played an important role in helping me do mine. We are going to miss his sense of humor and everything that he brought to our program.
“He had been battling cancer since he was diagnosed in July, but it wasn’t until about a week ago that I saw him shed a tear. It wasn’t because he was afraid of what was to come, it was because he wasn’t going to be able to serve Oklahoma State anymore. That’s how loyal he was.”
Naple is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and 16-year-old son, Nick.