USF coach Alex Golesh denies reports that he interviewed at Oklahoma State

On Oct. 24, Carson Cunningham reported that USF head coach Alex Golesh interviewed for Oklahoma State‘s opening at head coach. On Tuesday, Golesh denied this report.

“I have not,” Golesh said when asked if he’s had an interview with Oklahoma State. “I’m so focused and locked in on this program and this team. We got so much work to do. But, I have not.

“… It’s humbling that people bring your name up. It’s because [the players] have done an elite job of building this place to where people are taking notice. Credit to our kids. Credit to our staff.”

Golesh is in his third season as USF’s head coach and one of the more popular names in coaching search discussions. In just three years, he’s transformed USF into a Group-of-Five powerhouse and College Football Playoff contender.

The Bulls are 7-3 this season. On Saturday, they suffered a 41-38 loss to Navy, effectively eliminating them from CFP contention. Nonetheless, Golesh’s work at USF has been nothing short of impressive.

In the three seasons before Alex Golesh took over the program, USF had posted a combined 4-29 record. In Golesh’s tenure, he’s led the Bulls to an overall 21-15 mark. Oklahoma State is reportedly interested in landing the 41-year-old HC.

Oklahoma State has been searching for its next head coach since firing Mike Gundy after the Cowboys’ Week 3 loss to Tulsa. Oklahoma State has not won since firing Gundy and is 1-9 this season.

While Gundy’s last two seasons with Oklahoma State were far from ideal, his successor will have large shoes to fill. Gundy was the Cowboys’ head coach for 20 years, amassing a 170-90 overall record, one Big 12 championship and three Big 12 title game appearances.

Gundy led Oklahoma State to a winning record every season from 2006-23. He won the Big 12 Coach of the Year award three times and took home the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 2011.

Along with Morris, Oklahoma State is interested in hiring Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and North Texas head coach Eric Morris, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Additionally, Oklahoma State could target Texas A&M’s Collin Klein and Nebraska’s Dana Holgorsen.

With the regular season nearing an end, coaches will soon be forced to make difficult decisions. Until then, Alex Golesh insists he is focused on helping his team reach their potential. On Saturday, USF will square off against UAB at 3 p.m. ET.