Paul Finebaum reacts to Oklahoma State firing head coach Mike Gundy

On Tuesday, Oklahoma State fired longtime head coach Mike Gundy. During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum weighed in on Oklahoma State’s decision to part ways with the legendary head coach.

“He’s a Hall-of-Fame coach, but it needed to be done. When things spiral out of control, losing the other night at home to Tulsa, that was the final blow. Just like with UCLA and just like with other schools,” Finebaum said. “The problem when you do it this soon, you potentially lose your roster. But, I’m not sure there’s that much to lose out there.

“So, I think the school said, ‘We need to make a clean break. There’s no easy way to fire someone as legendary as him.’ I agree with the school for making [the decision] now.”

Oklahoma State is 1-2 this season and has lost 11 of its last 12 outings. Calls for Gundy’s job hit an all-time high this past weekend after Oklahoma State suffered 19-12 loss to Tulsa — the Cowboys’ first loss to the Golden Hurricane since 1998.

Oklahoma State was starting from scratch this season after revamping its roster following its lackluster 2024 campaign. In the offseason, Oklahoma State added 40 players from the transfer portal, while losing 26 players to it.

Alas, Oklahoma State’s offseason efforts proved to be unsuccessful through four weeks of this season. Gundy spent 21 seasons as Oklahoma State’s head coach, amassing a 170-90 overall record and a 2011 Big 12 title.

He was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year three times during his tenure and produced 18 consecutive winning seasons. The school will owe Gundy a $15 million buyout.

“Cowboy Football reached an unprecedented level of success and national prominence under Coach Gundy’s leadership,” OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said in a statement Tuesday. “I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when I say that we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard and show us all what is possible for Oklahoma State football.”

Mike Gundy leaves Oklahoma State football as the program’s winningest coach of all time. In the 16 years before Gundy took over at Oklahoma State, the program had four winning seasons.

Oklahoma State offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Doug Meacham will reportedly serve as the team’s interim coach while the school conducts a coaching search. On Saturday, the Cowboys will look to pull out of their downward spiral as they square off against Baylor at 2:30 p.m. CDT. The game will air live on ESPN2.