Mike Gundy Fired by Oklahoma State After 20 Seasons as Head Coach

Published: September 24, 2025, 21:00 EDT

Oklahoma State University has dismissed Mike Gundy, ending a 20-year tenure that reshaped the football program and brought national prominence. Despite decades of success, recent struggles, including 11 losses in 12 games, proved decisive in the school’s move to part ways with its longest-serving coach.

End of an Era in Stillwater

The Mike Gundy era at Oklahoma State came to a close on Tuesday when the university announced the dismissal of its 58-year-old head coach. Gundy compiled a career record of 170–90 at his alma mater, making him one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in college football.

Gundy, who began his tenure as head coach in 2005, led the Cowboys to unprecedented success. Under his leadership, Oklahoma State posted winning records every year from 2006 through 2023, captured the Big 12 championship in 2011, and appeared in five New Year’s Six bowl games. However, two straight losing seasons ultimately eroded confidence in his ability to adapt to a rapidly changing sport.

A Lifelong Cowboy

Gundy’s ties to Oklahoma State run deep. As a player in the late 1980s, he became the Big 8 Conference’s all-time leading passer while helping balance an offense featuring legendary running backs Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders.

After serving as an assistant coach, Gundy returned to Stillwater to take the helm in 2005. His charisma, humor, and reputation for developing under-recruited talent quickly endeared him to fans and recruits alike. Backed by significant investment from the late benefactor T. Boone Pickens, Gundy turned the Cowboys into a Big 12 powerhouse capable of competing with the nation’s elite programs.

“Oklahoma State football reached an unprecedented level of success and national prominence under Coach Gundy’s leadership,” athletic director Chad Weiberg said in a statement. “I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when I say we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard and show us what is possible.”

Success and National Impact

During his 20-year head coaching tenure, Gundy’s teams won 10 or more games eight times. His 2011 squad, which captured the Big 12 title, came within reach of a spot in the BCS National Championship game. More recently, Oklahoma State played in the Big 12 title game in 2021 and 2023.

Known for his quick wit and blunt assessments, Gundy often made headlines beyond the football field. He is perhaps as famous for his fiery 2007 “I’m a man, I’m 40” rant—delivered in defense of a player—as for his wins. That moment became a cultural touchstone, referenced in commercials and sports commentary alike.

Struggles in the Modern Era

Despite his longevity and success, Gundy’s approach proved increasingly difficult in the era of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. A coach once known for finding overlooked recruits struggled to retain talent and navigate a new environment where financial incentives play a central role.

In his final two seasons, Gundy’s Cowboys lost 11 of their last 12 games. The program’s decline included a 52–0 loss to Colorado and a 69–3 defeat at Oregon, results that raised questions about competitiveness at the highest level. Fans’ frustrations boiled over after a home loss to Tulsa—the first since 1951—with chants of “Fire Mike Gundy” echoing through the stadium.

“If you want to be angry at Coach Gundy, then you can do whatever you want that makes you feel better, but don’t do it to the team,” Gundy said earlier this week, defending his players despite growing calls for his removal.

A Changing Voice in College Football

Even as losses mounted, Gundy remained outspoken about the business side of the sport. During training camp before the 2024 season, he grew frustrated with discussions about NIL deals and the transfer portal.

“I told the players there’s no negotiating now,” Gundy said at the time. “Portal’s over. All negotiation’s history. Now we’re playing football. Just coaching and playing football.”

His candid remarks offered insight into the shifting landscape of college athletics. Yet they also underscored the challenges of coaching in an era where roster management and financial negotiations often extend beyond the field.

Controversies and Apologies

Over the years, Gundy occasionally courted controversy. In 2020, he apologized for referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” and later for wearing a T-shirt promoting the far-right network One America News, which drew criticism from star running back Chuba Hubbard. While tensions eased as the team continued to win, those incidents highlighted the scrutiny facing high-profile coaches.

Ultimately, Gundy’s legacy is defined less by controversy than by the transformation he oversaw in Stillwater. He elevated Oklahoma State from a middling program into a nationally respected contender—a shift that will remain part of his enduring impact.

Transition to Interim Leadership

Following Gundy’s dismissal, offensive coordinator Doug Meacham was named interim head coach. A 60-year-old Oklahoma State alumnus and former Cowboys offensive lineman, Meacham brings decades of coaching experience, including two stints at TCU where he helped engineer nationally ranked offenses.

Meacham will lead the Cowboys for the first time on Saturday against Baylor. His task is steep: steadying a program shaken by recent losses while charting a path forward in one of college football’s most competitive conferences.

Looking Ahead for Oklahoma State

The decision to part ways with Gundy signals Oklahoma State’s recognition of the need for fresh leadership. Athletic director Weiberg emphasized gratitude for Gundy’s contributions while acknowledging the urgency of positioning the Cowboys for success in an evolving landscape.

As the search for a permanent replacement begins, Oklahoma State faces questions about how to remain competitive in the age of NIL and the transfer portal. For fans, the end of the Gundy era marks both the close of a celebrated chapter and the uncertain beginning of another.