Times are tough for Oklahoma State and head coach Mike Gundy after the program suffered its first home loss to Tulsa since 1951 on Friday.
The Cowboys dropped to 1-2 to start this season with their 19-12 defeat against their in-stat rivals. It was their first loss overall to Tulsa since 1998, snapping a 10 game winning streak in the Turnpike Classic.
After going 3-9 last season, Gundy signed a revised contract in January that runs through 2028, reduced his average annual salary by $1 million and lowered his buyout.
Per CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland, the revision contains a flat buyout rate structure where Oklahoma State would owe Gundy $15 million if he is fired within the first three years of the deal and $10 million if he is fired in the fourth year.
Gundy, who is now in his 21st season as Oklahoma State’s head coach, is in a seat that continues to get hotter as the program continues to struggle.
The Cowboys’ 3-9 record in 2024 was their worst in a single season since their winless 1991 campaign (0-10-1). They have lost each of their first two games against FBS opponents this season, including a 69-3 defeat at Oregon on Sept. 6.
Oklahoma State’s lone win so far in 2025 was against FCS opponent Tennessee-Martin. The team’s once-high-powered offense is currently tied with Northern Illinois for 127th out of 134 FBS programs with 14.0 points per game.
The 58-year-old Gundy has deep ties to the Oklahoma State. He played quarterback for the program from 1986 to ’89, leading it to back-to-back 10-win seasons in ’87 and ’88.
Gundy is also the longest-tenured head coach in Cowboys history. He is the program’s all-time leader in games (261), wins (170), bowl appearances (18) and bowl wins (12).
Having lost two of its first three games, Oklahoma State will now head into Big 12 play trying to turn its season around. It will open its conference schedule at home against Baylor on Sept. 27.
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