Oklahoma State coaching search: Falcons OC Zac Robinson pressed on contact he has had with alma mater

The Oklahoma State Cowboys were one of the first programs to open up their head coach position this season, moving on from longtime head coach Mike Gundy. That’s allowed the administration there to openly begin its coaching search and contact potential replacements.

One coach who has seen his name consistently rumored for the Oklahoma State job is Zac Robinson. The current offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Robinson, is an Oklahoma State alumnus, having played quarterback there for Mike Gundy. Now, it appears he’s a candidate to be their next head football coach.

However, when pressed on the subject, Robinson was evasive. He said, “I’ll kind of leave that and just focus on today and progressing this week.”

Robinson is a Colorado native who began his playing career at Oklahoma State in 2005. That was the first season for Mike Gundy as the head coach there. By 2007, he’d worked his way into the starting role for the Cowboys. During his time as the starter there, he took Oklahoma State to three bowls, including the Cotton Bowl, and had one AP Top 25 finish.

That time in college would be the launching pad for a professional career for Robinson. From 2010 to 2013, he bounced between four different NFL franchises. Then, in 2019, he’d begin a coaching career as an offensive assistant on the Los Angeles Rams. By 2024, he’d be named the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Notably, however, he doesn’t have any experience coaching in college football.

Through four games for Atlanta and five games for the majority of the NFL, the Falcons are seventh in offensive yards per game, averaging 362.8 yards. They’re also 26th in scoring, averaging 19.0 points per game.

Following the move to fire Mike Gundy, On3’s Pete Nakos shared some insight on who to keep an eye on in the Oklahoma State coaching search. He shared that the priority is to make a hire sooner rather than later. Immediately, Zac Robinson was listed as a name on just about every shortlist. Nakos included him, as well as GJ Kinne,  Alex Golesh, Jeff Traylor, Jason Candle, and fellow NFL offensive coordinator Todd Monken, among others.

For now, both Robinson and the Cowboys are looking to keep the focus on the field. Oklahoma State is back in action on Saturday at home against the Houston Cougars. Meanwhile, the spotlight will be on the Falcons. They host the Buffalo Bills for Monday Night Football.