Oklahoma State fires head coach Mike Gundy after 21 seasons

Oklahoma State has fired head coach Mike Gundy after 21 seasons, per On3’s Chris Low and Pete Nakos. The Cowboys didn’t win a Big 12 game in 2024 and struggled out of the gate in 2025.

Gundy was in the midst of his 21st season as the head coach at his alma mater, where he became the winningest coach in program history. However, it’s been a rough go the last two seasons as Oklahoma State won just three games in 2024 – none of which came in conference play.

The 2025 season saw another rough go, including a blowout loss to Oregon in Week 2. Now, the program is going in another direction and moving on from its all-time winningest coach. Oklahoma State will owe a $15 million buyout.

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.

More on the last two years at Oklahoma State

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. His 170 wins are over 100 more than Pat Jones, who has the second-most in program history.

Oklahoma State last made the Big 12 Championship in 2023, falling to Texas. From there, things got rough for Mike Gundy and the Cowboys, who went just 3-9 in 2024. The 2025 season started out with a win over UT Martin – a game in which starting quarterback Hauss Hejny got hurt – but the noise got louder after Week 2.

Oklahoma State got blown out in a Week 2 game at Oregon as the Ducks got a resounding 69-3 victory. That matchup came after Gundy commented on Oregon’s investment through NIL and facilities, and Ducks quarterback Dante Moore said it made things personal in the matchup.

From there, Oklahoma State had a bye week before taking on Tulsa in Week 4. The Cowboys’ offense struggled again and the Golden Hurricane had a huge night, as well, to get the victory at Boone Pickens Stadium.