While the majority of major college football programs have made their decisions around their head coaches residing on the hot seat at this point, one marquee coach and a massive program is still reportedly considering all options.
Though the college football coaching carousel rumors have slowed to a dull roar in recent hours, they picked back up with news of the Oklahoma State Cowboys meeting about the future of head coach Mike Gundy in Stillwater.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Engage In ‘Standoff’
In a massive update following the board of regents meeting in Stillwater, Gundy and Oklahoma State are said to be engaged in what has been called a ‘standoff’ by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
After meeting as a board, the Oklahoma State Regents have reportedly asked Gundy to take a pay cut in a restructured contract. However, it’s clear that Gundy may not have a lot of interest in such a deal unless it’s spelled out explicitly by the brass.
It’s been reported that Oklahoma State has indeed asked Gundy to take a pay cut, but Gundy has stated they have not provided him with any details on the matter. He’s owed nearly $25,000,000 under his current contract.
As such, the Oklahoma State board has reportedly looked into firing Gundy with cause if he doesn’t agree to a new contract. Firing him with cause would save them from the contract buyout in Gundy’s current deal, which is reported to be around $25,030,000.
How’d we get this far? This all stemmed from a meeting on Friday.
Mike Gundy Dominates College Coaching Carousel Rumors
Gundy and the Cowboys just limped to their worst season together in 2024. The year concluded with a 52-0 beatdown, thanks to the Colorado Buffaloes. A loss that pushed Oklahoma State to 0-9 in Big 12 play and just 3-9 on the season.
Following the season, Gundy fired both his coordinators after over a decade together. But apparently, that wasn’t enough to guarantee the head man keeps his post.
According to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy, the Oklahoma State board of regents were set to meet Friday to discuss an evaluation and assessment of the employment of the Oklahoma State football staff.
The lack of success on the field is now said to be considered with Gundy’s public criticism of the Cowboy fan base as well as their overall lack of competitiveness in the Big 12’s new era.
Yes, Gundy had put forth 18 consecutive seasons with a winning record at the program prior to this season and starting back in 2006, but the team has not won the Big 12 Championship since 2011 and has only competed for the Big 12 title in four of those 18 seasons.
Gundy has also shown recently that he may have lost his edge on the recruiting trail as well. His class rankings for 2024 and 2025 have reached all-time lows according to consensus rankings for total team recruiting class.
- 2025: 56th
- 2024: 63rd
- 2023: 44th
- 2022: 36th
- 2021: 34th
- 2020: 37th
- 2019: 39th
- 2018: 34th
- 2017: 38th
- 2016: 45th
- 2015: 40th
- 2014: 25th
- 2013: 31st
- 2012: 31st
- 2011: 25th
- 2010: 27th
- 2009: 33rd
- 2008: 30th
- 2007: 24th
- 2006: 17th
The usage of the transfer portal, NIL funds, and recruiting trail may have passed the staff at Oklahoma State by, and that, combined with their lack of success on the field in 2024 may have served as the final signature on the termination papers of the long-time Cowboy coach.
Time will tell, but if the board of regents is meeting to discuss and evaluate your performance, that doesn’t bode well for you, the program, or your ability to secure commitments from recruits or transfers.
Oklahoma State needs to come away from this with a poignant resolution, and they need to do it quickly, one way or another.
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