Oklahoma State University (OSU) has officially parted ways with longtime head football coach Mike Gundy following a disappointing 1-2 start to the 2025 season and an embarrassing weekend loss to in-state rival Tulsa.
Gundy, 58, has been a staple at OSU for over two decades, cementing his legacy as the school’s all-time winningest coach. A former quarterback for the Cowboys, Gundy transitioned into coaching and elevated the program to national relevance, especially during the early 2010s.
However, the tides began to shift. After years of stability and success, OSU’s dominance waned following the departure of several Big 12 powerhouses like Texas, Oklahoma, and earlier, Texas A&M and Missouri. Without those rivalries anchoring the conference’s prestige, Oklahoma State’s relevance—and results—declined. The Cowboys ended the 2024 season with a dismal 3-9 record and have shown little improvement this year.
In a statement released Monday morning, Oklahoma State President Jim Hess emphasized that the decision was based on the future of the program.
“This is a decision about what’s best for our football program, our student-athletes, and Oklahoma State University,” Hess said. “Coach Gundy dedicated decades of his life to OSU, achieving significant success and positively impacting hundreds of young men. His contributions, both on the field and off, will not be forgotten.”
Gundy’s tenure was marked by consistency and achievement. He led the Cowboys to 18 bowl appearances, including five New Year’s Six games, and eight seasons with double-digit wins. His crowning achievement came in 2011 when OSU captured the Big 12 title.
Despite a career record of 170-90, recent struggles and a loss of momentum in recruiting and on-field performance ultimately led to the university’s decision to move on.
