Mike Gundy firing: Oklahoma State coach to receive full $15 million buyout, per AD Chad Weiberg

Coach Mike Gundy will receive the full $15 million buyout owed to him after Oklahoma State elected to fire him Tuesday, per athletic director Chad Weiberg. The buyout will be paid through 2028, when his contract was set to expire.

The news of Gundy’s first came three games into the 21st year of his tenure as the Cowboys football coach. Oklahoma State was 1-2 to start the season and coming off of a 19-12 loss against Tulsa in Week 4.

Gundy agreed to terms on a restructured contract in December 2024 that included a $1 million reduction in salary and new buyout terms. Instead of a buyout on a percentage scale, based on the remaining total Oklahoma State would owe Gundy, it moved to a flat total.

Gundy is the winningest coach in program history with a 170-90 overall record since taking over in 2005. He also has one Big 12 Championship and a 12-6 record in bowl games, including two Fiesta Bowl wins. He was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year in 2011 after directing Oklahoma State to a 12-1 record.

However, since playing in the Big 12 title game in 2023, the program has been on a massive free fall. The Cowboys went 3-9 in the 2024 season and failed to win a single conference game. They have lost 11 straight games against FBS opponents dating back to last year.

The program reached a point where it could no longer accept the recent results that Gundy was putting out. It marks the end of an era for Oklahoma State football with plenty of good memories to outweigh the sour end, and it looks like the school will

More on Mike Gundy’s coaching career

Gundy played quarterback at Oklahoma State from 1986-89 before getting into coaching with the Cowboys. He started out as wide receivers coach in 1990 and coached quarterbacks from 1991-93. He was then promoted to offensive coordinator in 1994 before returning to quarterbacks in 1995.

From there, Gundy had stints at Baylor and Maryland before returning to Stillwater in 2001. He started out as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator under Les Miles, whom Gundy succeeded in 2005.

After a 4-7 season in 2005, Oklahoma State won seven games every year until 2024 – a stretch that also saw eight 10-plus win seasons. The Cowboys won the 2011 Big 12 title and made four conference championships under Gundy’s watch.

Gundy has never been a head coach anywhere but his alma mater, and it appears this could be it for his decorated career. Now the focus for Oklahoma State turns to finding his replacement as they look to rebuild the program to where it once was.