Mike Gundy hot seat: Oklahoma State coach says questions about job are 'fair'

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said the questions about his job security are “fair.” The long time Cowboys’ coach was on the hot seat coming into the 2025 season following a three-win campaign.

“I’m under contract here for I think 3.5 years,” Gundy said, via Eli Lederman. “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.”

Oklahoma State fell to 1-2 on the season with a 19-12 loss to Tulsa at home. The Cowboys have to take on Baylor Saturday in Big 12 action.

Following Friday’s loss, ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke down where things stood with Gundy and the school. Being in one place for two decades is impressive, but Gundy’s time could be coming to an end.

“Yeah, Rece, there was a surreal scene last night as Oklahoma State lost that home to Tulsa,” Thamel said on College GameDay. “There were chants of ‘Fire Gundy’ echoing through T. Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State has lost 11 straight FBS football games, Rece. And I’ve been told by sources, there’s an overwhelming expectation that both the coaching staff and the highest levels of the athletic department are going to be overhauled at Oklahoma State in the upcoming weeks.

“Remember, Gundy restructured his contract. They owe $15 million to fire him. And it would be a shock to the industry if Gundy is the coach at Oklahoma State in 2026.”

Gundy is 170-90 at Oklahoma State, the only place he’s been a head coach. They’ve been to the Big 12 Championship twice in recent years (2021 and ‘23), but haven’t won the conference since 2011. That year, the Cowboys finished No. 3 in the country and won the Fiesta Bowl.

Mike Gundy knows he’s under pressure

Over the last two seasons, it’s been anything but successful. Gundy went 3-9 last season and is already 1-2 this year following the loss to Tulsa.

Gundy praised the fans multiple times for showing out at Boone Pickens Stadium for Friday’s game. He credited them for the energy they provided and showing up for the Blackout game, hoping to help provide a lift.

However, Gundy is on multiple hot seat lists after a rocky start to the year. His message, though, was simple. Those decisions are out of his control, and his focus remains on the task at hand.

“I gave you a message earlier about the fans,” Gundy said. “They were awesome tonight. They really were. The stadium was full and they were fired up and they were awesome.

“But those aren’t decisions that I make. My decision is to do exactly what I mentioned earlier. Get these guys and keep moving forward and go on down the road, and that’s what we do.”