In a stunning twist, Oklahoma State University has parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy. He’s been a fixture of the program for nearly two decades, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine Cowboys football without him.
Gundy was known for his colorful personality—sometimes a little too colorful—and a real knack for winning. His run at Oklahoma State brought plenty of big moments, but also its fair share of drama.
The Gundy Era: A Rollercoaster of Success and Controversy
For the last 15 years, Mike Gundy’s name kept popping up in college football, especially during those wild coaching carousel seasons. He flirted with jobs like Tennessee but always stuck around Stillwater, probably because it just felt like home.
His time at OSU was a mix of big wins and public disputes. There was even that near player mutiny back in 2020—remember that? Social issues, media spats, you name it.
Achievements on the Field
Gundy pushed the Cowboys to heights they’d never really seen before. Under his watch, Oklahoma State finished in the Associated Press Top 25 ten times, which is honestly kind of wild for this program.
Those teams were fun to watch—explosive offenses, and he had a knack for turning overlooked guys into legit stars. Think Justin Blackmon, Emmanuel Ogbah, and a few others who surprised everyone.
- 10 AP Top 25 finishes
- Eight 10-win seasons
- Four Bedlam victories
Controversies and Challenges
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Gundy clashed with some pretty influential folks at the university, including the late T. Boone Pickens—the guy whose name is on the stadium, no less.
He also seemed a bit stubborn about the new world of college football. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and player empowerment? Gundy wasn’t exactly leading the charge there, and that eventually caught up with him.
The Changing Landscape of College Football
College football’s changed a ton lately. NIL deals, the transfer portal, and just the whole vibe—it’s a different sport than it was even five years ago.
Athletic Director Chad Weiberg pointed to the need for someone who can handle all this new stuff. That was a big reason for letting Gundy go.
Embracing NIL and Player Empowerment
NIL has opened up a whole new world for players, letting them cash in on their own brands. Some schools jumped right in, but Oklahoma State lagged behind, and honestly, that hurt them.
- NIL opportunities
- Transfer portal dynamics
- Player empowerment
Recruiting and Retaining Talent
Recruiting’s been another headache. OSU’s classes usually trailed their rivals, and with assistant coaches coming and going, it’s hard to build momentum.
That revolving door made it tough to land and keep top recruits, which, let’s be real, is kind of the name of the game now.
Looking Ahead: The Search for a New Head Coach
Now, Oklahoma State’s at a crossroads. The next hire is a big one—maybe the biggest in years.
Qualities of the Ideal Candidate
Whoever gets the job has to be more than just a good coach. They need to recruit, handle NIL and portal chaos, and still build a team culture players want to be part of.
- Coaching acumen
- Recruiting prowess
- Adaptability to NIL and transfer portal
Potential Candidates
Names are already floating around—some up-and-comers, some veterans who’ve done it before. The search will be thorough, no doubt, because the pressure’s on to get this right.
For more on where things might go from here, check out the full article on Yahoo Sports.
The Legacy of Mike Gundy
Gundy’s legacy at Oklahoma State is set, for better or worse. He turned the Cowboys into a program people actually talked about—no small feat.
From high school quarterback recruit to head coach, his story’s pretty much woven into OSU football. Multiple 10-win seasons, Bedlam wins, and a real knack for finding hidden gems—he did a lot.
- Multiple 10-win seasons
- Bedlam victories
- Development of overlooked talent
A Bittersweet Farewell
The decision to part ways with Gundy was tough for a lot of folks in the Oklahoma State community. There’s no denying the impact he had on the program, and that feeling of gratitude isn’t going anywhere.
Maybe someday, they’ll put up a statue for him. It’d be a fitting way to remember everything he did here.
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