![Former NFL Coache Jon Gruden have a laugh while attending an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5844,h_3287/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/266/01k8p0jgwqzn3e2bgvk8.jpg "Former NFL Coache Jon Gruden have a laugh while attending an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
As Oklahoma State begins its search for the next head football coach, the early betting odds are offering a glimpse into where the conversation is heading although they don’t always tell the full story. The betting lines can’t predict exactly who will take over in Stillwater, but they do give valuable insight into how insiders, sportsbooks, and fans view the most likely candidates.
According to the latest odds, former OSU quarterback Zac Robinson leads the pack at 2/1, followed by G.J. Kinne at 3/1 and Ben Arbuckle sitting at 5/1. From there, the field widens with intriguing names like Jim Knowles, Collin Klein, Jeff Traylor, Brian Kelly, and even Jon Gruden entering the mix with varying degrees of buzz.
That’s a little bit of everything ranging from rising offensive minds, seasoned defensive coordinators, and even big-name wildcards from the NFL ranks.
A Program at a Crossroads
Oklahoma State faces a rare moment in program history. After more than 20 years of stability under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys are stepping into unfamiliar territory. Few programs in college football have enjoyed that kind of continuity, which makes this hire not just about replacing a coach, but defining the next era of OSU football.
The betting favorites reflect that tension between past and future. Does Oklahoma State stay “in the family,” hire a young offensive innovator, or swing big for a national name?
Zac Robinson: The Hometown Favorite
It’s no surprise that Zac Robinson tops the early odds. A former Oklahoma State quarterback who starred in Stillwater from 2006 to 2009, Robinson has steadily climbed the NFL coaching ladder. Currently an assistant with the Atlanta Falcons as the offensive coordinator, he’s earned a strong reputation as a sharp offensive mind and player developer.
If the Cowboys want to maintain continuity while modernizing their approach, Robinson fits that vision perfectly. He understands the school’s traditions, can energize the fan base, and would bring the youthful, offense-driven energy that’s currently trending across college football. One area he lacks in, is coaching experience at the college level and also as a HEAD football coach. Definitely a few barriers to climb but he seems fit for the job challenges if he would get the chance.
In an era where explosive offenses win games, and sell tickets, Robinson checks a lot of boxes.
G.J. Kinne and Ben Arbuckle: Betting on Upside
If Oklahoma State decides to go younger but stick within the college ranks, G.J. Kinne and Ben Arbuckle are the names to watch.
Kinne, currently the head coach at Texas State, has made waves for turning a Group of Five program into an exciting, high-scoring team. He’s proven he can lead a locker room, develop quarterbacks, and bring modern offensive concepts to life.
Arbuckle, the offensive coordinator at Washington State, is another fast-rising name in coaching circles. While he hasn’t yet been a head coach, his creativity and aggressive offensive style have drawn national attention. Both Kinne and Arbuckle would represent bold, forward-thinking hires — the kind that could pay off big if Oklahoma State is willing to gamble on upside.
The Wildcards: Experience and Controversy
Then there are the long shots but intriguing ones nonetheless.
Jim Knowles, who previously served as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator before moving to Ohio State, is familiar with the Cowboys’ blueprint and culture. Currently at Penn State as their defensive coordinator and he could be available come seasons end with all the turnover going in Happy Valley. If OSU wanted to lean defensive again, he’s a name worth watching.
Meanwhile, Brian Kelly sits at 12/1 odds. His resume is loaded — 200 career wins, two AP Coach of the Year awards, and experience leading blue-blood programs like Notre Dame and LSU. But questions about locker room culture and fit make this one feel more like a conversation piece than a realistic possibility.
And then there’s Jon Gruden. The former Super Bowl-winning NFL coach’s name always seems to pop up in speculative searches, and while the odds reflect some buzz, this would be the most chaotic and unlikely option of all.
What the Odds Tell Us
Betting lines aren’t predictions, they’re reflections of perception. And right now, perception says Oklahoma State has options across every coaching archetype imaginable.
From Robinson’s homegrown connection to Kinne and Arbuckle’s offensive firepower, to experienced veterans like Knowles or Kelly, this search will ultimately come down to identity.
After decades of consistency under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys now have to decide: do they want a familiar face who understands the culture, or a new voice to modernize the program?
Either way, the odds make one thing clear that this will be one of the most fascinating coaching searches of the offseason.