Mike Gundy has really left a mess behind him at Oklahoma State. After that legendary 21-year run, the Stillwater football head coach job is wide open with a pinch of uncertainty. As per AD Chad Weiberg, the Cowboys are now in desperate need of a playcaller. Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham is stepping in as interim coach, but the permanent role is a hot ticket with no clear favorite yet. The search promises to be thorough and deliberate. But the decision requires a bit more time. Meanwhile, one possible candidate has ruled himself out of the running for the Oklahoma hot seat. Who? Jeff Traylor.

Traylor, the head coach of UTSA, made his stance pretty clear, and it doesn’t look good for the Cowboys. Traylor, with a $28M price tag on his shoulders, has candidly turned down the rumors linking him to Oklahoma State. “It’s no different than all the other things we’ve heard since I’ve been here. I’ve proven over and over and over again, this is where I want to be,” Traylor can be heard saying in a clip posted by JJ Perez on X on Wednesday. “The reason I had to address it is because I want to make sure they’re hearing it from me, my commitment to stay at UTSA, and my wife and I, how much we love San Antonio.”

Traylor had made his stance pretty clear in front of his team as well, to squash the chatter before practice. He’s made it clear that San Antonio is the place where he truly belongs. He’s built something special at UTSA, leading them to five consecutive bowl appearances with an excellent 29-3 home record at the Alamodome. Plus, it’s all about the roots, running deep in Texas football. He had a successful history as a high school coach who won multiple state titles. People respect him for recruiting and developing underrated players into stars. A glaring example is running back Robert Henry Jr., who came from junior college ranks to lead the nation in rushing.

A couple of years ago, Traylor seemed like a perfect fit for OSU. But UTSA’s 9–8 record since 2024 has cooled his stock. Still, Jeff Traylor’s impact on UTSA is very much visible. Why? He reshaped the program from a mid-major afterthought into what many now call “the people’s powerhouse.” He led UTSA to back-to-back Conference USA titles in 2021 and 2022, and you can imagine how that draws national attention. In his first season with the Roadrunners, he cleared the drought, tripling the mere previous seven wins before his time. But wait, that’s not it. In just two years, the Roadrunners grabbed a conference title.

A year later, they cracked the national rankings. By year five, they’d racked up more wins than any other FBS team in Texas since 2020. His teams have been known for tough, physical defense and a dynamic offense. Take Robert, for example, a juco transfer who became a standout under Traylor’s tutelage. This season, Robert showcased a splendid performance with 68 carries for 624 yards and 7 TDs. Now that’s a brilliant molding in Traylor’s part.

Traylor’s got a $5 million buyout, which drops to $4 million on Jan. 1, thanks to the 10-year, $28 million extension he signed back in 2021. But if the Traylor is happy staying put in San Antonio, who are the other candidates that could potentially replace Mike Gundy?

Who is left after Jeff Traylor’s rejection?

Jeff Traylor’s rejection of the Oklahoma State coaching job doesn’t put the Cowboys’ search at a halt. The administration seems patient and willing to invest, so the perfect fit could turn OSU back into a Big 12 heavyweight. There are still 9 other potential prospects for Stillwater to consider. Texas State’s G.J. Kinne is another Texas native with deep regional ties. He also has a knack for QB upgrades. He’s turned heads up in San Marcos, but some speculations are that he could hold out for a more prestigious offer, given his rising stock.

Army coach Jeff Monken represents the opposite side of Gundy’s offensive style. He’d bring an option-heavy, disciplined style that could maximize overlooked talent. His ability to win in a demanding environment makes him an intriguing wild card. And who knows, this variation is just what the Cowboys need. Jason Candle from Toledo is also in line. Toledo has churned out solid coaches for Power Five schools before. Thus, Candle’s offensive acumen and experience could be a fit for OSU’s offense.

Montana State’s Brent Vigen is also a part of the flock. He is a product of the successful Craig Bohl tree and has turned the Bobcats into a Big Sky powerhouse. Then there’s Gary Patterson, the legendary former TCU head coach. At 65, Patterson’s experience and knack for finding under-the-radar talent will be really helpful. Then we have the Aggies’ offensive guru, Collin Klein, whose name is popping up here and there. Then Penn State’s offensive expert, Andy Kotelnicki, could shake things up with his innovative play-calling and success in turning around Kansas’ offense.

Let’s not forget Oklahoma’s young Air Raid offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. He represents the new wave of coaches mastering passing games and quarterback development. Lastly, Zac Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator and former OSU quarterback, is a wildcard.

So, the race for Mike Gundy’s replacement is still wide open with numerous names still in the running. Who would be your choice? Lets us know your thoughts in the comments.