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.

Source: AP News – Oklahoma State fires football coach Mike Gundy after 20-plus years

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In a move that caught many by surprise, the New York Knicks have parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau — just days after the team made its deepest playoff run since the 1990s.

The decision, announced Tuesday, comes three days after the Knicks were eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals in six games by the Indiana Pacers. Despite the disappointing end, New York’s postseason journey included a stunning second-round upset over the defending champion Boston Celtics and showcased the emergence of a promising new core.

A Surprising Goodbye to a Proven Winner

Thibodeau, who was signed to a three-year extension just last summer, leaves behind a legacy of stability and success in a franchise that has long craved both. Over five seasons, he led the Knicks to consecutive 50-win campaigns — a feat the team hadn’t accomplished since 1995 — and this year surpassed Pat Riley to become fourth all-time in coaching victories for the storied franchise.

Still, the front office felt a change was needed.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” team president Leon Rose said in a statement. “This pursuit led us to the decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction.”

Rose thanked Thibodeau for his dedication and heart, calling him “forever part of our Knicks family.”

Thibs’ Deep Knicks Roots and Lasting Impact

Thibodeau’s connection to the Knicks stretches back to the ‘90s, when he served as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy during one of the franchise’s most memorable eras. One of his assistant coaches, Rick Brunson, played for those same Knicks teams and used to bring his young son, Jalen, to practices — the same Jalen Brunson who now stars as the team’s franchise player.

Brunson, visibly frustrated when asked about Thibodeau’s job security after their season-ending loss, responded: “Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he’s the right guy? Yes. Come on.”

A Season of Bold Moves and Big Minutes

The 2024-25 season was anything but conventional for the Knicks. In a flurry of aggressive moves, the front office sent five first-round picks to Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges, then flipped Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

The trades transformed the Knicks into one of the most talented starting lineups in the league — but at the cost of bench depth. True to form, Thibodeau leaned heavily on his starters, often playing them more than any other five-man unit in the NBA, even as the league continues to prioritize rest and load management.

A Strong Coaching Resume, Still Missing a Finals

Thibodeau’s time in New York was his third head coaching stint in the NBA, following tenures in Chicago (2010–15) and Minnesota (2016–19). Across all three stops, he has compiled a .579 winning percentage — the highest in league history among coaches without a Finals appearance (minimum 300 games), per ESPN Research.

Though he exits without reaching the NBA’s biggest stage, Thibodeau’s impact on the Knicks’ culture and identity will be hard to ignore.

Now, as the team looks to build on its recent momentum with a new voice at the helm, one thing is clear: expectations in New York have changed — and they’re higher than ever.

Source: ESPN – Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau as coach after five seasons

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After nearly three decades at the helm, basketball icon Gregg Popovich is stepping down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. The 76-year-old legend announced Friday that he will now focus solely on his duties as president of basketball operations—a role he’s held since 1994.

Popovich’s departure marks the end of one of the most remarkable coaching runs in NBA history. Over 29 seasons, he led the Spurs to five NBA championships and became the league’s all-time leader in both regular-season and playoff wins with a single team. His resume also includes three NBA Coach of the Year awards, a 2023 Hall of Fame induction, and an Olympic gold medal as head coach of Team USA in 2021.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in a heartfelt statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff, and fans who allowed me to serve them… and I’m excited to continue supporting the organization and the city I love.”

Popovich missed nearly all of the 2024 season after suffering a stroke on November 2 at the Spurs’ home arena. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson took over for the remainder of the season. Though Popovich expressed hopes in February of returning to the bench, a reported medical episode last month during a restaurant outing cast doubt on a full comeback.

He has not made any public appearances since the November incident but briefly addressed the team earlier this year.

Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt praised Popovich’s unparalleled impact on the organization and the city of San Antonio.

“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” Holt said. “He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach.”

Popovich’s coaching journey began in 1996 when he dismissed then-head coach Bob Hill and named himself to the role. Since then, he became not only the face of the franchise but also a respected mentor and leader across the NBA.

While he may be stepping away from the sidelines, Popovich isn’t saying goodbye to basketball—or San Antonio. He’ll continue shaping the team’s future from the front office, where his legacy is sure to endure.

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Source: FOX News – Basketball great Gregg Popovich steps down as Spurs head coach after nearly 30 years

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