He was the man. He was 40. Now, he’s gone.
The news that Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State football have officially parted ways—effective September 23, 2025—hit Stillwater like a rogue tornado. For three decades, Gundy wasn't just the coach; he was the heartbeat, the mullet, and the undisputed "Don" of Cowboy football. But the end wasn't a fairy tale. It was a $15 million breakup following a brutal 11-game losing streak to FBS opponents.
Honestly, it feels weird. Seeing someone else on that sideline after 21 seasons as head coach is going to be jarring for fans who grew up knowing nothing but Gundy’s brand of high-octane offense and "Cowboy Culture."
The Implosion Nobody Saw Coming
You've got to look at the numbers to really grasp the fall. In 2021, the Pokes were a literal inch away from a Big 12 title and a potential playoff berth. By late 2024, they were 3-9. By 2025, they were losing to Tulsa at home and getting demolished 69-3 by Oregon.
Basically, the game changed and Gundy didn't.
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While other programs were treatsing the Transfer Portal like a frantic grocery spree, Gundy stayed loyal to his "develop from within" philosophy. It was noble. It was also, unfortunately, a disaster in the NIL era. He even joked about Oregon’s "$40 million roster" compared to his modest $7 million budget. But that gap wasn't a joke on the scoreboard.
The talent just dried up. When Ollie Gordon II—the star back and one of the few recent NFL-caliber players developed in Stillwater—was drafted 179th overall in the 2025 spring draft, it highlighted a glaring issue. The Cowboys weren't putting elite talent into the league anymore.
Why the Oklahoma State Football Legend Finally Broke
It’s easy to point at the losses, but the tension went deeper than the win-loss column. Gundy actually renegotiated his contract in late 2024, taking a $1 million pay cut and lowering his buyout from a staggering $25.3 million to a flat $15 million.
That was the writing on the wall.
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The administration was clearly building an off-ramp. Chad Weiberg, the Athletic Director, basically admitted that the "investment needed to compete" required a new direction. You can't blame them. When you lose 11 straight to Division 1 schools, the "I'm a man" energy starts to feel more like "I'm out of time."
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think Gundy just got "old." That’s not quite it. Gundy is 58. He’s younger than plenty of successful coaches. The issue was his refusal to play the "pay-to-play" game. Nick Saban—yes, that Nick Saban—actually commented on Gundy's firing, noting that some "old timers" have a hard time with the idea of paying players.
Gundy saw the portal and NIL as a burden. He missed on key coordinator hires, like when he promoted Kasey Dunn to OC instead of bringing in fresh blood after losing Sean Gleeson to Rutgers. The "loyal to a fault" trait that made him a legend in 2011 became his Achilles' heel in 2025.
The Legacy of 170 Wins
We shouldn't let the messy ending bury the lead: Mike Gundy is the greatest coach in Oklahoma State history. Period.
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- 170-90 career record.
- 12-6 in bowl games.
- The 2011 Fiesta Bowl championship.
- Eight 10-win seasons.
Before Gundy took over in 2005, OSU was a program with a sub-.500 all-time winning percentage. He turned them into a national brand. He beat OU in Bedlam when it mattered most. He made "Go Pokes" mean something on a Saturday in January, not just a Tuesday in the Independence Bowl.
He even showed up on a video in late 2025 promoting the school's club hockey game, jokingly asking if OSU was a "hockey school now." That’s the Gundy fans loved—the guy who didn't take himself too seriously until you crossed a line.
What Happens Now in Stillwater?
The program is in a total rebuild. Eric Morris was hired as the replacement in November 2025, and he’s already hitting the portal hard. They just landed Drew Mestemaker, a star QB from North Texas, to try and stabilize a roster that looked hollowed out by the time Gundy left.
As for Gundy? He’s currently doing the "Coaches Film Room" for ESPN’s national championship coverage. His brother Cale says Mike isn't done with coaching, but it’s hard to imagine him wearing anything other than orange and black.
If you're an Oklahoma State fan or just a college football junkie, here is how you should evaluate the "Post-Gundy" era:
- Watch the NIL Collective: If the "Pokes with a Purpose" collective doesn't see a massive influx of cash, the coach's name won't matter. The $7 million vs $40 million gap has to close.
- Look at the 2026 Class: Early enrollees like Quincy Shelton are already on campus. The speed and depth of the 2026 recruiting class will tell you if Eric Morris can fix the talent drain Gundy left behind.
- Follow the Buyout: The school is eating $15 million. That’s a lot of money that isn't going to facilities or recruiting. The financial health of the athletic department over the next two years is a major storyline.
Mike Gundy gave 30 years of his life to Oklahoma State football. He quarterbacked them in the 80s and led them from the sidelines for two decades. The breakup was ugly, but the era was undeniable.