Oklahoma State Football Needs Change After Disastrous Season
The collapse of Oklahoma State’s football season has been both shocking and unacceptable.
Coach Mike Gundy’s worst season culminated in a crushing 52-0 defeat to Colorado, marking the most humiliating loss of his 20-year coaching career. This should have been his final game.
Back in September, the Cowboys were 3-0, having convincingly beaten the FCS national champions, staged a comeback against Arkansas, and dominated Tulsa. At that point, they were considered the class of the Big 12, even though they hadn’t fully integrated running back Ollie Gordon into the offense. But their early success was misleading.
After facing Utah and Kansas State, it became clear that the Cowboys weren’t contenders in the Big 12, revealing their weaknesses. OSU (3-9, 0-9) ended the season with their first winless conference record in 30 years, despite being touted as one of the most talented teams in program history.
What was most astonishing about this collapse was the lack of response from the coaching staff. For two months, it was unclear why Gundy stuck by offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo despite their failures. After a loss to Arizona State, Gundy admitted he disagreed with Dunn’s game plan but later changed his mind after rewatching the game.
Under Dunn’s leadership, the offense struggled, ranking 59th in yards, 95th on third down, and 124th in time of possession. Gundy blamed “sporadic quarterback play,” but this was a result of his decision to rely on Alan Bowman, a traditional pocket passer who couldn’t deliver when defenses adjusted to Gordon. Despite having Spencer Sanders for four years, Gundy opted for Bowman, a choice that proved disastrous.
Dunn’s inability to adapt was a failure on his part, but it was also a failure of Gundy, whose background as an offensive coach should have allowed him to guide the team through rough patches. Yet, Gundy’s refusal to change, such as not benching Bowman sooner, was telling. On defense, Nardo’s unit ranked 117th in scoring and 132nd in yards, and Gundy’s comments suggested he believed Nardo’s strategy was sound. This is baffling, given the team’s abysmal defensive performance.
Gundy’s stubbornness was a recurring theme this season, refusing to acknowledge flaws in both the offense and defense. If he wasn’t calling plays, his leadership as the “CEO” of the team didn’t seem to produce any positive results. OSU’s roster is turning over rapidly, and Gundy’s future as the head coach is uncertain.
While Gundy remains enthusiastic about coaching, citing his love for football, it’s unclear if he still has the ability to adapt to the new realities of college football, dominated by NIL and the transfer portal. His strategy of focusing on under-recruited players and developing them over time is becoming outdated.
Gundy’s legacy as OSU’s best coach is secure, but if the program’s decline continues, that legacy may tarnish. With a $25 million buyout that increases annually, it might be the right time for OSU to make a change at the top. Although the university values attendance over wins, the current state of the program raises serious questions about Gundy’s future.
At this point, it’s on Athletic Director Chad Weiberg to decide whether Gundy can bring meaningful change in 2025, or if the program needs a new direction.
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