Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy doesn’t feel like he’s in a bad spot. This is even though his team is 1-2 after a blowout loss to the Oregon Ducks and then a very disappointing 19-12 home loss to Tulsa.
It was the first time the Golden Hurricane had beaten the Cowboys in a college football game in Stillwater since 1951.
Gundy and Oklahoma State have now only won one game over their last 12 games, dating back to last season.
Gundy has been the head coach in Stillwater since 2005, and he’s led the Cowboys to some very high highs. This is undoubtedly a low point for the program, though. So low, in fact, that there’s a sentiment out there that perhaps the 58-year-old head coach is losing his touch.
Mike Gundy does not plan on leaving Oklahoma State
Gundy is an Oklahoma State legend, so there’s very little reason to believe that the university will let him go, no matter how bad things get on the field.
He could always walk away, of course, but Gundy was clear when speaking to the media on Monday that leaving anytime soon is not his intention.
In fact, he said he’s “100%” intent on staying in Stillwater past this 2025 season.
“I’m under contract, here, for I think 3½ years,” Gundy said, according to Eli Lederman of ESPN. “When I was hired here to take this job, ever since that day, I’ve put my heart and soul into this and I will continue to do that until at some point, if I say I don’t want to do it or if somebody else says we don’t want you to do it.”
Gundy must do more than just skate on his goodwill
As mentioned, Gundy has earned a ton of goodwill at Oklahoma State.
Even 21 seasons as head coach of one program can be overshadowed by poor play on the field, though, and Gundy is starting to approach that territory. Despite his 170-90 overall record and 12-6 bowl record, he’s now gone 4-11 over his past 15 games, and these aren’t just any losses.
A Big 12 program losing at home to an American Athletic Conference team is not a good look, no matter how good Tulsa may ultimately be.
Gundy has to turn this thing around with some big wins, ASAP, and it has to start with a Week 5 win in Stillwater against Baylor.
If the Cowboys lose two straight at home, things could get really ugly.