Oklahoma State has officially parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy. The move ends a 21-year run that made him the winningest coach in school history. Gundy leaves with a 170–90 record and multiple seasons of national relevance under his belt.
The timing comes after a steep decline for the program. Oklahoma State started the 2025 season 1–2, with the loss against Tulsa being considered the tipping point. News of the firing has spread like wildfire across college football circles.
Fans are putting out their reactions, with many pointing to the sudden end of an era. Social media is filled with memes and jokes about Gundy, his trademark moments, and the dramatic falloff from his past success.
Here are the top 7 memes on the subject:
“Great run for Gundy. Sucks the program fell apart,” Dave Portnoy posted on X with a clip of Gundy’s best moments with the press.
Great run for Gundy. Sucks the program fell apart. pic.twitter.com/5ZzJViBZRC
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 23, 2025
“Dabo Swinney and Mike Gundy sitting on a beach together this time next year,” a fan posted with a popular clip of actor Paul Rudd from the ‘Hot Ones’ show.
Dabo Swinney and Mike Gundy sitting on a beach together this time next year pic.twitter.com/LVe4aHVoWv
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) September 20, 2025
BetMGM stated that it’s the “End of an era”, listing out several legendary college football coaches who have retired in recent years.
Mike Gundy is gone
Saban is gone
Urban is gone
Mack Brown is gone
Bob Stoops is gone
Jimbo is gone
Spurrier is gone
Harbaugh coaching the Chargers
Dabo is washedEnd of an era pic.twitter.com/Vi2yMUogcY
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) September 23, 2025
“I hate everything right now except for Mike Gundy. I won’t ever hate him,” a fan wrote.
I hate everything right now except for Mike Gundy. I won’t ever hate him. https://t.co/e2RtjcURDB pic.twitter.com/IZLptJ7JFG
— CowpokeU🤠🍊 (@cowpoke_u) September 23, 2025
“Mike Gundy walking into his meeting with the AD,” a fan wrote.
Mike Gundy walking into his meeting with the AD pic.twitter.com/LV83trgLUE
— IcingThePunter (@IcingThePunter_) September 23, 2025
“Mike Gundy & Kasey Dunn knowing I have no one to get irrationally pissed at other than myself,” a fan posted with a clip of rapper Jack Harlow and comedian Druski’s viral clip.
Mike Gundy & Kasey Dunn knowing I have no one to get irrationally pissed at other than myself. pic.twitter.com/YXAqHh1Ud1
— OKSTProbs (@OKSTProbs) September 23, 2025
“Mike Gundy,” a fan posted with a clip of Harvey Dent from ‘The Dark Knight’ delivering the iconic, “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” line.
Mike Gundy pic.twitter.com/vfSVSF5Yn7
— Joe Castiglione Jr. (@JoeCJr29) September 23, 2025
The most surprising part about Gundy being fired is that he didn’t want to leave, and he had recently made that clear during a press conference.
Mike Gundy Didn’t Want to Leave Oklahoma State
Mike Gundy’s exit from Oklahoma State came despite his own insistence that he wanted to stay. Just days before his firing, the veteran coach made it clear he was not looking for an exit. He has been with the Cowboys for almost his entire career.
He played for the program from 1986 to 1989. In 1990, he joined the coaching staff. From 1996 to 2000, he stepped away, serving other programs, and was back in Oklahoma again. When he was recently asked if this was going to be his final year, he said:
“I haven’t had a player come to me and ask me any of that. I’m under contract here for about 3 1/2 years.”
He stated that he wouldn’t step away until he felt like he didn’t want to do this anymore or someone told him to vacate his position. Gundy probably didn’t know that it would only be a matter of days before that happened.
His tenure ended not by choice, but by the reality of performance and expectations. For someone who often described Oklahoma State as home, it was a difficult and abrupt conclusion to a historic run.
Read More:
Mike Gundy Salary, Contract, Net Worth, and More
Mike Gundy Confesses: ‘I Still Wake Up in the Middle of the Night Thinking About Football’
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