Oklahoma State has fired Mike Gundy after two decades of coaching the Cowboys. What does it mean for the future of the Oklahoma State football program?
Oklahoma State Fires Mike Gundy
Oklahoma State is firing head coach Mike Gundy, sources tell @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/N8xbcgovcS
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 23, 2025
Per CBS Sports, Gundy is out at Oklahoma State.
Gundy, 58, has been the head coach at Oklahoma State since 2005. Last Friday, the Cowboys fell to 1-2 following their 19-12 loss to Tulsa.
During Monday’s press conference, Gundy stated that he intended to remain with the Cowboys after the 2025 season.
“I’m under contract, here, for I think, 3.5 years,” Gundy said via ESPN. “When I was hired here to take this job, ever since that day, I’ve put my heart and soul into this, and I will continue to do that until at some point, if I say I don’t want to do it or if somebody else says we don’t want you to do it.”
One day later, Oklahoma State removed Gundy as the head football coach. Oklahoma State still owes Gundy $15 million.
Gundy had been the second-longest-tenured FBS head coach behind Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (26 years).
Gundy played quarterback at Oklahoma State from 1986 to 1989.
After spending six seasons as an assistant, Gundy left Oklahoma State for Baylor in 1996. After stints at Baylor and Maryland, Gundy returned to Oklahoma State in 2001 as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
After Les Miles left to coach LSU in 2004, Oklahoma State promoted Gundy to head coach.
Gundy compiled a record of 170-90 from 2005 to 2005.
Gundy’s best season came in 2011. Led by quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State finished 12-1, capped off by winning the Big 12 for the first time. The Cowboys finished No. 3 in the AP Top 25 poll and defeated Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl.
Since losing the Big 12 Championship in 2023, Oklahoma State has plummeted. Oklahoma State lost their final nine games of the 2024 season after getting off to a 3-0 start.
Following the 2024 season, Gundy agreed to a restructured contract to remain the head coach at Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys are currently 1-2, with one of those losses being a 69-3 defeat to Oregon.
Where Does Oklahoma State Go From Here?
Oklahoma State, Gundy part ways https://t.co/T2hVZdxEJX pic.twitter.com/1mIPb6RHZN
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) September 23, 2025
Gundy should be praised for bringing Oklahoma State to new heights as a program. Gundy led the Cowboys to eight 10-win seasons.
However, Gundy struggled to adapt to the changing landscape of college football, most notably the NIL and transfer portal.
Oklahoma State will now begin the search for its next head coach. Expect the university to hire a younger coach who understands how to adapt to the new version of college football.
Oklahoma State (1-2) hosts Baylor (2-2) on Sept. 27.
