Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has been fired after more than two decades at the helm for the Cowboys, according to multiple reports.
Gundy, 58, was the second-longest tenured FBS coach and depared Stillwater after a steady decline over the past two seasons, including a 4-11 record since the start of 2024. The news comes following the disappointing loss to Tulsa in Week 4.
Oklahoma State became a consistent Big 12 contender under Gundy, with eight double-digit win seasons and 18 bowl appearances. However, the program couldn't keep up with the current era of college football.
Gundy negotiated a restructured contract to stay at Oklahoma State during the offseason. It was a fair trade-off considering the program enduring its worst season in decades, including a winless Big 12 slate. Gundy agreed to a flat $15 million buyout, which saves OSU over $10 million.
Despite the rough years and now eventual dismissal, Gundy left us with one of the greatest rants in sports history. "I'm a man, I'm 40" will live on and forever be attached to Gundy's legacy. As it turns out, the classic press conference moment hit adulthood on Monday with the 18th anniversary coming a day before OSU's fateful decision.
After hearing about an article from The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson that criticized Cowboys quarterback Bobby Reid, Gundy went off the rails. The original piece entitled, “QB Change: All about Attitude” was later modified to “Reid is still the most talented signal-caller, but attitude is reason for change.”
Gundy's words go viral and stick in Stillwater
For context, here's the entire rant from Gundy on September 22, 2007:
I want to talk about this article right here. If anybody hasn't read this article— I don't read it— this was brought to me by a mother, of children. I think it's worth reading. Let me tell you why I want to talk about this article. Three-fourths of this is inaccurate. It's fiction. And, this article embarrasses me to be involved with athletics, tremendously. And that article, had to have been written by a person that doesn't have a child. And has never had a child that's had their heart broken and come home... upset. And had to deal with the child when he is upset. And kick a person when he's down.
Here's all that kid did: he goes to class, he's respectful to the media, he's respectful to the public, and he's a good kid. And he's not a professional athlete, and he doesn't deserve to be kicked when he's down.If you have a child someday, you'll understand how it feels. But you obviously don't have a child. I do.
Your child goes down the street, and somebody makes fun of him, because he dropped a pass in a pick-up game, or says he's fat, and he comes home crying to his mom, you'd understand. But you don't have that. But someday, you will. And when your child comes home, you'll understand.
If you want to go after an athlete— one of my athletes— you go after one that doesn't do the right things. You don't downgrade him because he does everything right and may not play as well on Saturday. And you let us make that decision.That's why I don't read the newspaper: because it's garbage. And the editor that let it come out is garbage. Attacking an amateur athlete for doing everything right. And then you want to write articles about guys that don't do things right and downgrade them— the ones who do make plays.
Are you kidding me? Where are we at in society today? Come after me! I'm a man! I'm 40! I'm not— I'm not a kid. Write something about me, or our coaches. Don't write about a kid that does everything right that's heart's broken, and then said that the coaches said he was scared. That ain't true! And then to say that we made that decision because Donovan Woods, because he threatened to transfer. That's not true! So get your facts straight.
And I hope someday you have a child and somebody be— downgrades him, and belittles him and you have to look him in the eye and say, "You know what? It's okay. They're supposed to be mature adults, but they're really not." Who's the kid here? Who's the kid here? Are you kidding me?That's all I've got to say. Makes me want to puke.
The moment will likely be played on a loop in Atlanta at the College Football Hall of Fame. For now, Gundy will scout out his next move away from Oklahoma State.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson turns heads with outfit choice on sideline
- Dabo Swinney out at Clemson? Insider reveals if his job is in jeopardy
- Deion Sanders reveals which three NFL teams called about Shedeur during draft slid
- SEC blasts refs for missing Oklahoma's illegal 'hideout tactic'