Mike Gundy’s Legacy Under Fire After Oklahoma State’s Collapse: Can He Rewrite the Ending?
For nearly two decades, Mike Gundy has been the face of Oklahoma State football—defined by stability, success, and a toughness that weathered nearly every storm. With a 169-88 record and just one losing season since 2005, he built a program rooted in consistency. But the disastrous 2024 season—ending 3-9 overall and winless in the Big 12—shattered that foundation and brought Gundy’s future into sharp question.
What unfolded last season wasn’t just a dip in form. It was a nosedive. The Cowboys went 0-9 in conference play—their worst showing since 1991—and lost cornerstone players like Ollie Gordon, Brennan Presley, Collin Oliver, and Nickolas Martin. These weren’t average contributors; they were elite talents. Gordon put up 880 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Presley caught 90 passes for 767 yards. Oliver was a three-time All-Big 12 defensive end. Martin earned First-Team honors in 2023. All gone.
Despite the setbacks, Gundy is far from surrendering. He’s rebuilt the roster aggressively, landing 22 recruits and 40 players from the transfer portal. He also overhauled his staff, bringing in offensive coordinator Doug Meacham and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. But as Shehan Jeyarajah from 365 Sports noted, the talent is unproven, and the DNA of the program has essentially been wiped clean.
“There’s just so much turnover,” Shehan said. “With so few proven players and so many new faces, it’s hard to expect a quick bounce-back. Right now, this is a bottom-tier Big 12 team.”
That’s the harsh reality facing Gundy. His $28 million contract with built-in raises has become a weighty symbol of expectation. And for the first time in his career, serious discussions about his job security are surfacing.
Still, Gundy is leaning into the challenge. He hosted a full-contact spring game—a bold decision when many schools opted out due to transfer risk. It was more than a showcase; it was a test. “This is their shot to show what they can do,” Gundy said. He split his roster and coaching staff, ran three live quarters, and even promised steak and lobster to the winning team—hot dogs to the losers.
This wasn’t a gimmick. It was a message: the Gundy era isn’t folding without a fight.
He’s betting on his ability to mold a new identity from scratch. He’s betting on players like Cam Abshire, who tallied over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023 at Emory & Henry. He’s betting on TCU transfer Hauss Hejny and young QB Zane Flores to command the offense. But most of all, he’s betting on his own legacy.
Because for Gundy, 2025 isn’t just another season. It’s a defining one.
So the question remains: Is Mike Gundy’s legendary run nearing its final chapter—or is this just his next great comeback?
Only time—and wins—will tell.