The firing of Mike Gundy from Oklahoma State marks the end of a remarkable, yet recently tumultuous, era. As the winningest coach in program history, his dismissal only three games into the 2025 season sent shockwaves through the college football world.

The Breakdown of the Firing

Timing and Immediate Cause:

Gundy was officially fired on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, after a disappointing 1-2 start to the 2025 season.

The final straw appeared to be a stunning home loss to in-state rival Tulsa, a program Gundy had never lost to during his tenure.

The loss to Tulsa immediately followed an embarrassing 69-3 blowout defeat at the hands of the Oregon Ducks.

The Bigger Picture: Two Seasons of Decline: The decision was ultimately based on a downward trend that began well before the 2025 season:

The 2024 Collapse: The team finished the 2024 season with a terrible 3-9 overall record, including their first winless conference record in 30 years and a season-ending 52-0 blowout loss to Colorado.

The Losing Streak: When he was fired, Oklahoma State was on an 11-game losing streak against FBS opponents, which was unacceptable for a program Gundy had elevated to a national contender.

Failure to Adapt to Modern CFB: Gundy had publicly struggled to fully embrace the new era of college football, especially the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape and the Transfer Portal. He had made comments indicating reluctance toward aggressive NIL strategies, leading to concerns from the administration and donors about the program's competitiveness.

The Legacy and The Cost:

The Winningest Coach: Gundy was the quintessential Cowboy, a former OSU quarterback who led the program for over 20 seasons, accumulating 170 career wins and multiple 10-win seasons. He took the program to heights previously unseen, including a Big 12 Championship in 2011.

The Buyout: Oklahoma State will pay Gundy a $15 million buyout, an amount that was reportedly restructured last offseason (it was originally much higher) in what may have been an attempt to create an "off-ramp" for his departure.

Interim Coach: Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The dismissal signals that the administration and key financial supporters prioritized a change in direction and a renewed commitment to competing at the highest level, even if it meant moving on from the most successful coach in school history.

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