BENCHED

Shock as College Football Coach Is Fired After 21 Years

“Coach Gundy dedicated decades of his life to OSU, achieving significant success,” Oklahoma State University said.

Longtime Oklahoma State University coach Mike Gundy was abruptly fired Tuesday, shocking the college football world. Gundy, 58, had led the Cowboys since 2005, but struggled in recent years, finishing 2024 with a record of 3-9 and beginning this season with one win and two defeats, including a 69-3 trouncing by Oregon and a rare defeat Saturday to in-state rival Tulsa. In addition to bringing Oklahoma State unprecedented success, Gundy is known for his witty and sometimes controversial interactions with the press. That included him downplaying the severity of one of his players receiving a DUI last summer—something he was ridiculed for, in addition to refusing to suspend the athlete. Before Gundy arrived at Oklahoma State, the university rarely enjoyed any level of success. Gundy was in the hot seat, but had downplayed calls to quit. “I’m under contract, here, for I think 3.5 years,” Gundy said Monday. After his termination, the university will owe him $15 million. Oklahoma State claimed they “are looking for someone who can lead our program in this new era.” A source told ESPN that the team’s offensive coordinator, Doug Meacham, is now the interim head coach.