Oklahoma State fires Mike Gundy after 21 seasons amid fan outrage
Cowboys dismiss longtime coach following a home loss to Tulsa that prompted fan calls for his departure
Oklahoma State fired longtime coach Mike Gundy after 21 seasons, ending an era of the Cowboys' program. The announcement came after a 19-12 loss to Tulsa on Friday at Boone Pickens Stadium, a defeat that marked Tulsa's first win over Oklahoma State in Stillwater in 74 years. Tulsa built a 16-3 lead by halftime, and the crowd's mood turned heated as the game wore on.
The loss capped a difficult start to the season for Oklahoma State, which stands 1-2 after being routed by No. 6 Oregon 69-3 a week earlier. The Cowboys beat UT Martin 27-7 in the opener. The program finished 3-9 last season, snapping a streak of 18 straight seasons with at least a .500 record under Gundy. Two seasons ago, Oklahoma State played in the Big 12 championship. Over 21 years and 260 games at Oklahoma State, Gundy went 170-90. Athletic director Chad Weiberg praised Gundy for elevating the program, saying he helped bring national prominence and set a standard for Cowboys football.
The university announced the firing was effective immediately and did not provide a timetable for a replacement. Oklahoma State will play Baylor at home next week, a game that will help shape the program's direction going forward. Gundy, a former Cowboys quarterback from 1986 to 1989, had been head coach since 2005 and guided OSU through a long period of on-field success and consistency before this season's downturn.
Chants from fans during the Tulsa game reflected the sentiment that had built in recent weeks. The ESPN broadcast captured vocal calls for the coach's firing as Tulsa extended its lead in the fourth quarter. Gundy's legacy at Oklahoma State includes lasting ties to Stillwater and a tenure that defined a generation of Cowboy football, even as the latest losses forced a dramatic transition.
As the program moves forward, the athletics department will consider interim or external candidates to lead the program. The move underscores a willingness to reset after more than two decades under a single coach, and fans will watch closely as the school navigates the coaching search and the rebuilding process.
