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Mike Gundy Defiant Vows to Fix Oklahoma State After 11 Shocking Losses
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Mike Gundy’s Unwavering Resolve: “100 Percent” Committed to Leading Oklahoma State Cowboys
STILLWATER, Okla. – Amid a storm of speculation and a painful losing streak, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy stood firm on Monday, delivering a powerful and definitive message about his future: he is not going anywhere.
In a news conference that addressed what he termed “fair questions” about his tenure, Gundy left no room for doubt regarding his intentions to remain the head coach of the Cowboys beyond the 2025 season.
“100 percent,” Gundy stated when asked directly if he planned to continue coaching at Oklahoma State.
This strong affirmation comes on the heels of a difficult start to the 2024 season. The Cowboys fell to 1-2 after a stunning 19-12 home defeat to Tulsa last Friday night. The loss was historic, marking the program’s first loss to the Golden Hurricane at home since 1951. More broadly, the team has now lost 11 of its last 12 games dating back to the start of the 2024 season. This includes 11 consecutive defeats to FBS opponents, the longest active streak among all Power 4 conference teams.
The mounting losses have naturally amplified discussions about Gundy’s job security. However, the coach, now in his 21st season at the helm, presented a calm and determined front. He emphasized that his commitment to the program remains as strong as ever.
“I’m under contract here for I think 3½ years,” Gundy said. “When I was hired here to take this job, ever since that day, I’ve put my heart and soul into this and I will continue to do that until at some point, if I say I don’t want to do it or if somebody else says we don’t want you to do it.”
Gundy acknowledged the team’s struggles but was quick to label the mistakes plaguing the Cowboys as “fixable.” He pointed to the significant roster turnover—the team added over 60 new players prior to this season following a dismal 3-9 (0-9 in conference) record in 2023—as a factor in the early-season growing pains. The team’s performance has been inconsistent, from a 69-3 loss at Oregon to a statistically closer but ultimately frustrating game against Tulsa.
Despite the “noise” surrounding the program, Gundy insists his “demeanor” and “daily operation” have not changed. He praised the home crowd of over 48,000 for their support during the Tulsa game and reiterated his passion for the job.
“It’s about the team and about the organization,” Gundy explained. “That’s the way I see it. It’ll always be that way. But I love what I do. I have the exact same amount of energy that I’ve had from Day 1 doing this.”
The speculation is further complicated by the situation of Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg, who has been working without a contract since June. Any decision to make a coaching change would also carry a significant financial implication. If the university were to fire Gundy without cause before the end of the 2025 season, it would owe the 58-year-old coach a buyout of $15 million.
As the Cowboys prepare to open Big 12 play this Saturday at home against Baylor, Gundy made his feelings crystal clear. Addressing those who question why he would subject himself to the current pressure, he offered a simple, heartfelt answer.
“I’ll get people [with] text messages saying, ‘Man, you’ve done this all this time. You don’t need this. You don’t need that. What are you doing? Why are you doing this?'” Gundy shared. “It is still fun for me.”
For now, Mike Gundy’s focus is singular: fixing the problems on the field and leading Oklahoma State out of its deepest slump in decades.