Oklahoma State’s 19-12 loss to Tulsa felt like the final nail in Mike Gundy’s Cowboys run. But the writing had been on the wall long before Tulsa. Just two weeks earlier, Oregon absolutely shellacked Gundy’s squad 69-3. The Cowboys’ struggles were glaring: a dismal 3-9 season in 2024, zero conference wins, and the front office had already hit pause on the coach’s contract. Tulsa’s upset poured gas on the fire, turning whispers into loud “Fire Gundy” chants as they grabbed their first win at Boone Pickens in 74 years. Gundy himself acknowledged the tough spot, saying, “It’s a different position than I’ve been in,” but insisted on pushing forward.

No more now; the Cowboys’ fans have had enough. The conversation about Gundy’s fate quickly exploded on ESPN, where Scott Van Pelt (SVP) and Stanford Steve broke down the realities after that Tulsa game. “Tulsa went into Stillwater and beat Oklahoma State,” the host said. “After they got absolutely boat raced by Oregon and had a week to get ready for an in-state team that they don’t lose to, and they lost. Like that’s just done. I don’t know what you do in that spot.” 

Even in the Oregon matchup, a jab Mike Gundy took from Dan Lanning two days before the game fired them up. It all started when Gundy went on his radio show and took a shot at Oregon’s resources, specifically calling out head coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks’ massive NIL spending. “I think Oregon spent close to $40 [million] last year alone,” Gundy said. “So, that was just one year. Now, I might be off a few million.” Gundy highlighted that OSU had spent around $7 million on its team over the past three years. Stanford Steve further looked into the Tulsa game and what kind of changes may happen in the program.

“Pate said it sounds like it’s going to come like a wholesale change, like the whole athletic department… When Oklahoma State scored a touchdown last night,” Stanford Steve said. “I believe it was 109 minutes since their last touchdown, and that came in the fourth quarter in their week one win over UT Martin. So, yeah, that was a rough one.” 

Imagine going over 100 minutes of game time without scoring a touchdown. That’s basically almost two full games’ worth of offensive drought. The Cowboys actually scored their last touchdown in the fourth quarter of their week one win against UT Martin. It was a comfortable 27-7 win that, while not dominant, showed some offensive spark. And then came the Tulsa game after getting a whole week of preparation.

OSU’s defense struggled to contain Tulsa’s redshirt freshman quarterback, Baylor Hayes. He threw for 219 yards and a TD, showing poise and mobility that kept the Cowboys on their heels as Tulsa jumped to a 16-3 halftime lead behind Seth Morgan’s four clutch field goals, including a 47-yarder. In the fourth, QB Zane Flores led OSU’s rally, flashing 214 passing yards and a rushing TD, but Gavin Freeman got shoved out at the Tulsa 10, killing the comeback.

Mike Gundy’s price for 21 years of service

Mike Gundy’s days at Oklahoma State are finally hanging by a thread after 21 years. And much of that has to do with a colossal buyout that’s become a hot topic. The longtime coach, who built OSU into a powerhouse with a 169-88 record and only one losing season since 2005, now faces whispers and outright calls for his firing. But for OSU to part ways with Gundy, they’re staring down a staggering $15 million buyout. This figure may end up saving Gundy’s job.

And especially for a program already grappling with fan frustration and credibility issues. The university responded last offseason by reshaping Gundy’s contract. They tweaked his salary by $1 million to $6.75 million, but also set a hefty $15 million buyout if fired without cause after the 2025 or 2026 seasons. That in turn drops to $10 million after 2027. Spending that kind of money signals how deeply OSU valued Gundy’s tenure and influence on the program over those two decades.

But lately, it feels like the money’s becoming more of a prison than a prize. Now that same number is making fans and boosters think twice about paying a giant sum to move on. When asked about the rumors and mounting pressure, Gundy stayed calm and dodged responsibility, saying, “Those aren’t decisions I make. My decision is to do exactly what I mentioned earlier. Get these guys and continue moving forward, and go on down the road. And that’s what we do.” The clock is ticking, and the Cowboys’ future hinges on what’s next.