Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State are in hot water after a shocking loss to Tulsa. Although Gundy, a Stillwater fixture since 2005, has had highs: 2 Fiesta Bowl wins and 12-6 in bowls. It also didn’t help that the Tulsa game happened after a brutal 69-3 loss to Oregon. With “Fire Gundy” chants filling the stands and other programs like Virginia Tech and UCLA making midseason coaching changes, the pressure is on. Gundy’s tenure in Stillwater hangs by a thread. Will it end midseason? Who will step in to fill the gap?

HCBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah doesn’t mince words. According to him, Gundy could be out anytime between now and December. And the trigger? A jaw-dropping 19-12 upset at home to the Golden Hurricane that rattled Boone Pickens Stadium. Now, while Gundy’s future looks shaky, chatter is heating up around two potential candidates to take over. On September 21, Bud Elliott threw a name into the mix for Oklahoma State’s next HC: Alex Golesh, USF’s $2.5M man.

“I would look at Alex Golesh,” stated Elliott. But why, Golesh? Elliott noted Golesh’s past ties to Stillwater as a graduate assistant, adding, “Gundy has been there forever, so he actually has a hand in making this hire.” And Elliott believes it could be a perfect fit. “Having someone who was a GA for him back in the day makes sense. Golesh has done a pretty fine job at USF,” he added. And that’s true.

USF had been struggling for years. They hadn’t had a winning season since 2018. And they hadn’t won a bowl game since 2017. But then came 2023. USF finished the regular season at 6-6, showing signs of life. On top of that, they capped it off with a 45-0 blowout over Syracuse. It was just like magic, and all of it under Alex Golesh’s first season as HC. Now, many see USF rising as a top contender in the AAC with Golesh at the helm. However, Elliott had another name in mind besides Golesh.

Collin Klein, the former Kansas State QB. Elliott praised Klein’s work as an OC, saying he’s done a “tremendous job with Marcel Reed and the offense” at College Station. “That’s a perfect fit for me,” added Elliott. “What I’ve seen from him, both as a player and now as an OC, shows he’s ready to level up.” With Oklahoma State in need of a no-nonsense leader, Elliott leans toward Colin Klein as the top choice. And it’s easy to see why.

Collin Klein has emerged as a standout offensive mind at Texas A&M. In 2024, his offense racked up nearly 500 YPG, with QB Marcel Reed throwing nine TDs against just one interception. Klein’s system is built around play-action and quick screen passes. Meanwhile, Mike Gundy’s OSU offense has struggled to find rhythm, highlighted by the blowout loss to Oregon. Now, the contrast is striking, making Klein’s innovative approach a potential catalyst to revive the Cowboys’ scoring. Although nothing is set in stone for Gundy, moving on from him could come with a hefty price tag for OSU.

Mike Gundy’s buyout

Mike Gundy’s future at OSU is tangled up in dollars and dates. Because after his renegotiated deal, cutting ties won’t come cheap. If the Cowboys fire him without cause before Dec. 31, 2027, he’s owed a staggering $15 M, according to The Oklahoman. On top of that, Gundy is locked in at $6.875 million a year, with annual raises of $125K under contract through the end of 2028.

Even with 2025 off to a rocky start, Gundy’s resume still carries weight in Stillwater. Unlike coaches such as DeShaun Foster and Brent Pry, who faced exits, Gundy brings decades of stability that reshaped OSU. So, one brutal season doesn’t erase a legacy built on wins and staying power. However, midseason choices can’t wait for feelings.

Now with Big 12 play around the corner, OSU may have to move fast in the hunt for Gundy’s replacement. So, a midseason firing would be sudden, but the Cowboys could see it as necessary to reset momentum.