The end of an era can feel a lot like a bad breakup. You don’t want to admit it’s over, but deep down, you know it is. Mike Gundy has been the face of Oklahoma State since way back when the iPhone didn’t even exist, but these days? It’s not going great. After that rough game against Tulsa, people in Stillwater are saying that $15 million might be the only way to finally change the locks on Gundy’s office.

But then we have to consider Gundy’s resume. From 2006 to 2023, the Cowboys were bowl-eligible under his watch. Such was his consistency that the program was close to making it to the playoffs in an era when only four teams were let in. But then 2024 happened. A 3-9 record didn’t help his case. That was followed by a 1-2 start to the 2025 season. The two losses included Tulsa’s first win in Stillwater since 1951.

The contract makes the situation messier for the decision-makers. Last December, Gundy signed a deal that cut $1 million off his salary and removed the rollover safety net that kept him untouchable. He’s still bagging $6.875 million this season, and the buyout’s a chunky $15 million if he’s canned before December 31, 2027. Drop that date, and it slides to $10 million. So the real question is, does Oklahoma State cough up that $15 million now to end the saga or play the waiting game while the fanbase sets Stillwater on fire?

If the Cowboys are brave enough to roll the dice, here are the five best names that could take over Gundy’s headset.

1. Ben Arbuckle – Oklahoma Sooners OC

Ben Arbuckle is already making waves at 30 years old, carving out a reputation as one of college football’s most dynamic offensive minds. At Western Kentucky in 2022, he built an offense that led the country in passing and helped Austin Reed sling for nearly 4,800 yards. In 2023, in Washington State, he dropped a top-15 scoring unit and turned John Mateer into a touchdown machine with 44 touchdowns.

His system is straight-up fireworks. Air Raid roots, but tailored to whatever QB he has. Before Cam Ward lit up teams at Miami, it was under Arbuckle’s watch that the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft gained the national spotlight. OSU’s offense has been allergic to consistency since Mason Rudolph walked out the door. Arbuckle could fix that in a heartbeat. But there is an issue. Arbuckle’s stock is mooning. After 2025, NFL teams might come calling for the Oklahoma OC. Can Oklahoma State actually afford Arbuckle—not just the salary, but the risk that he bounces in two years?

2. Jon Sumrall–Tulane Head Coach

Sumrall’s resume screams winner. At Troy, he posted a 23-4 record over two seasons, securing consecutive Sun Belt titles and a top-20 national ranking. At Tulane, he led the Green Wave to a 9-5 record in 2024, finishing 7-1 in AAC play and making it to the conference championship game. In 2025, he’s already 3–0 with wins over Northwestern and Duke.

He’s a defense-first guy, and OSU hasn’t exactly been known for scaring anybody on that side of the ball lately. At Troy, his teams ranked top 10 nationally in points allowed, giving up just 17 a game. He doesn’t do gimmicks. Instead, Sumrall is known for building programs with clear-cut identities. Word is he even interviewed at UNC before they went nuclear and hired Bill Belichick last year. If Oklahoma State wants someone who’ll win ugly but win often, Sumrall’s their man.

3. Zac Robinson – Atlanta Falcons OC

If Oklahoma State wants nostalgia with some NFL spice, Zac Robinson is sitting right there. Former Cowboy QB from 2007–09, tossed over 8,300 yards and 66 touchdowns under Gundy and lived through OSU’s offensive glory days. But don’t mistake him for just a feel-good story. As the Falcons’ OC, his unit finished top-10 in both passing and rushing last season. Balanced, creative, modern.

This hire would be poetic. The last time OSU hired one of their own, it gave them Gundy. Doing it again could be the reset button Stillwater needs. Robinson knows how to scheme at the NFL level, he knows how to develop quarterbacks, and he’d have instant credibility in recruiting.

4. Alex Golesh (USF HC)

Sometimes you have to respect a man who makes lemonade out of lemons. Alex Golesh took South Florida, a program drowning in irrelevance, and gave it CPR. Two bowl wins in two years, a Top 25 ranking, and a team that punched way above its weight. Before that, he was cooking up fireworks at Tennessee, helping them lead the nation in scoring with 43 points per game.

Before their Week 3 loss to Miami, the Bulls had defeated two ranked teams in Boise State and the Florida Gators. The latter happened in Gainesville in front of a tough crowd, and when you heard him talk post-game, he didn’t make it seem like an upset. He expects USF to win, and it doesn’t matter that they keep losing guys to the portal. That’s what you get with Golesh. His teams play tough, physical brand of football.

5. Will Stein – Oregon OC

Will Stein is arguably one of the most impressive offensive coordinators in the country. In 2023, his Oregon offense averaged 46.5 points and over 545 yards per game, ranking second nationally. Stein’s system flexes efficiency, high completion percentages, and minimal turnovers. He’s helped quarterbacks like Dillon Gabriel reach Heisman-level performance, while also producing balanced offenses that can dominate both the run and pass games.

In 2024, Oregon averaged 35.7 points and 433.7 yards per game under Stein, ranking top 10 in scoring nationally. Problem? He just signed an extension through 2028. Oregon has Nike money, and Stillwater isn’t exactly Nike’s runway.

Bonus: Collin Klein – Texas A&M OC

Collin Klein has a great mix of experience as both a former Heisman finalist quarterback and a coach. At Kansas State, he led the Wildcats to a Big 12 Championship and set a record with 87 touchdowns. When he was the offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2023, he really turned things around, boosting their yardage from 362.3 to 446.1 yards per game, landing them at No. 10 nationally in scoring. Now, in 2025, he’s got Texas A&M’s offense firing on all cylinders. The Aggies are off to a solid start at 3-0 and averaging almost 480 yards per game!

So, here we are. Mike Gundy’s $15M buyout sits like a poker chip on the table. Fold and ride it out, or push it all in for a fresh start. No matter what, if Oklahoma State takes the gamble, it’s about more than just a coach—it’s about whether the Cowboys are ready to stop living in the past and start chasing the future.