For two decades, Mike Gundy defined Oklahoma State football. He won big, delivered bowl games, developed NFL stars, and made headlines with fiery press conferences and viral sideline moments. But after a historic collapse on the field and mounting tension off it, it sounds like the Gundy era is officially over, according to a CBS News 9 report.
From Winningest Coach to Washed Out
The 2024 season was disappointing for the Oklahoma State University football program. The 2025 season has been disastrous so far. After opening with a shaky win over UT Martin, the Cowboys were embarrassed by Oregon in a 69–3 blowout, marking the worst loss of Gundy’s career. They followed that with a shocking home loss to Tulsa—TU’s first win in Stillwater since 1951.
OSU finished 2024 without a single Big 12 win. They dropped nine straight to end the year and kept losing into 2025. The program’s freefall became impossible to ignore.
The Collapse That Ended It All
By the numbers:
- 0 Big 12 wins in 2024.
- 69–3 loss at Oregon with back-to-back pick-sixes.
- First home loss to Tulsa in 74 years.
- Nine consecutive losses heading into 2025.
Behind the scenes, boosters and fans were losing patience. Gundy’s recent behavior didn’t help: downplaying DUI arrests, mocking fans, and doubling down in pressers. While his “I’m a man, I’m 40!” speech lives on in football lore, his latest antics didn’t age as well.
A Complicated Legacy
Gundy, a former OSU quarterback, took over in 2005. He posted 18 straight winning seasons, reached multiple New Year’s Six bowls, and coached 42 NFL Draft picks. He exits with a 170–90 record and a $15 million buyout.
But the culture had shifted. From his viral rants to political backlash over a T-shirt, Gundy’s leadership style increasingly clashed with the program’s evolving priorities. His controversial defense of players’ off-field behavior, including Ollie Gordon’s DUI, didn’t sit well with the administration or fans.
Still, Gundy leaves behind a winning tradition—and big shoes to fill. OSU is now hunting for a new head coach with hopes of returning to Big 12 relevance.
