Did Mike Gundy Get Fired? Everything We Know So Far

Oklahoma State University has fired longtime head coach Mike Gundy after a 1-2 start to the 2025 season. The move ends a 21-year tenure that saw him become the winningest coach in Cowboys history. Gundy leaves the program with a 170–90 record and a reputation as the face of modern Oklahoma State football.

The decision was confirmed on Tuesday, with multiple outlets including CBS Sports reporting the news. It comes just days after a disappointing Week 4 loss to Tulsa. For a coach who once made the Cowboys a Big 12 power, the dismissal marks a dramatic fall from national prominence.

Mike Gundy Fired: Key Details and Context

Mike Gundy, 58, was the second-longest tenured coach in the FBS. He guided Oklahoma State to eight seasons with 10 or more wins, 18 bowl games, and the school’s only outright Big 12 championship in 2011. He also collected National Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and three Big 12 Coach of the Year awards.

But the last two years were marked by decline. In 2024, the Cowboys finished 3-9 with no conference wins — their worst season in decades. The struggles carried into 2025, with a 1-2 start that included the loss to Tulsa. Despite a major roster overhaul and nine new assistant coaches, results did not improve.

Trusted outlets like Associated Press and Reuters highlighted the challenges of the NIL era and transfer portal. Once known for producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks and receivers, Oklahoma State has not had a quarterback drafted since Mason Rudolph in 2018. The roster instability and lack of player development fueled doubts about Gundy’s ability to adapt.

Financially, Oklahoma State will owe Gundy a $15 million buyout under the terms of his restructured deal signed in 2024. His contract was meant to provide a “succession plan,” allowing him to help identify his replacement. It is not clear if that plan will still play out now that the firing has been accelerated.

Broader Impact and What Comes Next

The firing raises questions about Oklahoma State’s future direction. Boone Pickens Stadium, once one of the hardest venues in the Big 12, has lost some of its edge in recent years. Fan frustration has grown, and donors have pushed for change to bring back competitiveness.

For Gundy, his career ends with a complicated legacy. He transformed a mid-tier program into a consistent national contender. Yet, his inability to navigate the new landscape of college football ultimately cost him his job. The next coach faces the task of restoring the stability and success that Gundy once brought to Stillwater.

Did Mike Gundy get fired? Yes, and it marks the end of an era. His departure leaves Oklahoma State searching for new leadership while his two-decade run secures his place as the most influential coach in program history.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Did Mike Gundy get fired from Oklahoma State?

Yes. He was officially fired after a 1-2 start to the 2025 season following a 3-9 record in 2024.

Q2: Why did Oklahoma State fire Mike Gundy?

He was fired due to poor results, difficulty adapting to NIL and transfer portal changes, and back-to-back disappointing seasons.

Q3: What is Mike Gundy’s buyout?

His contract calls for a $15 million buyout if fired within the first three years of the deal, which runs through 2028.

Q4: What are Mike Gundy’s biggest achievements?

He won the 2011 Big 12 title, guided the Cowboys to 18 bowl games, and became the winningest coach in school history.

Q5: Who will replace Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State?

No replacement has been announced yet. The school’s succession plan is expected to play a role in the search.

References

Reuters. (2025). Oklahoma State fires Mike Gundy after 21 seasons.

Associated Press. (2025). Longtime Cowboys coach Gundy out after 1-2 start.

BBC News. (2025). Mike Gundy leaves Oklahoma State as program enters transition.