Oklahoma State coaching search: Zac Robinson expected to be on shortlist to replace Mike Gundy

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is reportedly expected to be on the “very shortlist” of candidates to potentially replace his former coach Mike Gundy as Oklahoma State‘s head football coach, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Robinson is one of the Cowboys’ most prolific quarterbacks to play under Gundy during his more than three-decade career in Stillwater.

Oklahoma State formally parted ways with the 58-year-old Gundy last Tuesday after 21 years as head coach following a disappointing 1-2 start to the 2025 regular season. That followed what has been a downward trend for the Cowboys that included a 3-9 record last season, including 0-9 in Big 12 play.

Robinson appears to be the early fan favorite to replace Gundy. On3‘s Pete Nakos noting that Robinson “would be a return to some of the best years in program history” and “would motivate Oklahoma State donors” in last Tuesday’s hot board report.

Robinson, 38, is in his second season as the Falcons offensive coordinator after five seasons as a Los Angeles Rams assistant under head coach Sean McVay. Robinson played three years in the NFL (2010-13) after being a seventh-round pick — No. 250 overall — in the 2010 NFL Draft, though he never saw the field before an elbow injury ended his playing career.

A beloved Oklahoma State alum, Robinson played under Gundy from 2005-2009, starting his final three seasons in Stillwater before finishing as one of the program’s top playmakers with 8,317 yards on 61.1-percent passing and 66 touchdowns through the air while adding 1,858 rushing yards and 22 scores on the ground between 2006-09.

Dez Bryant calls for Oklahoma State to hire Zac Robinson as head coach, Mike Gundy replacement

For the first time in two decades, Oklahoma State is in the market for a new head football coach after longtime coach Mike Gundy was relieved of his duties on Tuesday following a disappointing 1-2 start to the 2025 college football season. Gundy finishes with a career record of 170-90 over 21 seasons leading the Cowboys, including a 4-11 record in his final 15 games at the helm.

While the search for Gundy’s replacement is just now beginning, former NFL receiver and Oklahoma State alum Dez Bryant made his preference clear. Bryant called on the Cowboys to hire Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, his former quarterback at Oklahoma State in the late 2000s.

“Oklahoma State, let’s make Zac Robinson the head coach!” Bryant tweeted Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the news of Gundy’s firing was made official.

Bryant is one of Oklahoma State’s most vocal alumni, especially on social media, and appears to speak for a growing contingent of Cowboys fans eager for Robinson to replace his former coach.