Oklahoma State made headlines this week by parting ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy — not just because of who was fired, but because of how it happened. Just days before the announcement, Gundy stood at a press conference reaffirming his commitment to the program, and all signs pointed to him finishing out the season. Now, he’s out, and the abrupt shift has left more questions than answers.
What Was Said: Gundy Expected to Finish the Season
A Coach That Felt Still in Control
Earlier this week, Mike Gundy spoke to the media with the tone of a man still in charge. He made it clear that he wanted to be the head coach of this time and did not want this being his final season at Oklahoma State; and referenced his existing contract, which still had three and a half years remaining. There was no indication that his job was on the brink of ending just 24 hours later.
An Understanding — Then a Reversal
"Entering the weekend, sources had told @On3sports that Gundy would be given the chance to coach the rest of the 2025 season out of respect for what he built in Stillwater.Pete Nakos via Twitter
That clearly changed in the final 24 hours of his tenure."
From what had been shared publicly and according to source Pete Nakos, the plan appeared to be: allow Gundy to finish out the season before any major decision was made. Whether that understanding came from direct communication or through the implied tone of the athletic department’s silence, it was generally accepted that a midseason firing was unlikely to happen. That changed quickly and without explanation.
The Sudden Shift: What Happened?
Did the Press Conference Change Everything?
It’s hard to ignore the timing. Less than a day after Gundy spoke confidently about his future, the university decided to cut ties. Some speculate that his demeanor, or even specific comments, may have triggered discomfort at the highest levels. If his tone came off as too defiant or out of sync with internal expectations, it may have been the final push for leadership to move on. The university should know Coach Gundy by now and if this was the case, that’s quite silly to make this the end of his era.
A Change of Heart from Leadership?
Another possibility is that the decision-makers simply had a change of heart. Whether driven by pressure from donors, boosters, or internal assessments, it’s possible that leadership felt the cost of keeping Gundy, both on the field and off, had become too great. Even if the original plan was to let him finish out the year, circumstances may have evolved too rapidly to maintain that course.
Something Behind Closed Doors?
There’s also the chance that something happened behind the scenes that hasn’t yet come to light. Whether it was an internal disagreement, a staff-related issue, or private conversations about the future of the program, the timing suggests that something shifted dramatically — and quickly. It’s not uncommon for major decisions in college athletics to be accelerated by factors the public never fully sees.
Unanswered Questions
This entire situation has created a cloud of uncertainty around Oklahoma State football. Among the lingering questions:
- Why allow Gundy to speak to the media if a decision was already in motion?
- Was he misled, or were university officials still undecided at the time of his press conference?
- Was this always the plan, or did something behind the scenes cause a last-minute change?
- Most importantly, what message does this send to future coaches and staff about transparency and leadership at OSU?
These are not easy questions, and right now, they’re not getting answers.
Conclusion: The Exit Feels Off
Firing Mike Gundy may have been the right decision for Oklahoma State’s long-term future, but the execution has raised more issues than it solved. It’s not just that he was let go — it’s how it happened, and how quickly things shifted after appearing stable. If the university made a promise, even informally, to let Gundy finish the season, reversing that without explanation damages credibility and trust. This could hurt them in their new searches for a head coach and other coaches even within their current staff at the university.
Right now, fans and observers are left with speculation. Was this a knee-jerk reaction? A strategic shift? Or something more serious that has yet to be revealed?
Until Oklahoma State addresses the why, the story of how will continue to dominate the conversation.