Well, two decades at the helm don’t buy you infinite patience — just a longer rope to hang yourself with when things go south. This HC built a consistently competitive program, but after years of stability, a sudden decline was even more devastating. Plus he hadn’t had a taste of losing a season before 2024, aside from his rookie year of 2005. But then came a disastrous collapse; a winless streak and a future hanging precariously on $15 million. And even that can’t save him. The only way out? Wins.

It’s pretty clear by now that it’s a do-or-die situation for Mike Gundy as the weight of expectations rests squarely on his shoulders. One more losing season might be harsh on Coach Gundy’s tenure. Plus, critics continuously make it hard for him to catch a break. Recent dig? John Kurtz’s words build pressure on him as he says, “Mike Gundy — listen, I very much agree with the sentiment here that he would be if you wanted to do a top 10 or 15 list in the country, I’ve got no problem with including Mike Gundy on that. Things have been sort of trending downhill for five or six years now, with two real bright spots popping up in there, but outside of that, it was starting to — you know, four of five with eight wins or less before the 10-win season in 2023.” That’s a fact. Besides the notable 2021 and 2023 seasons, with 12 and 10 wins, the Cowboys have faced challenges, especially last season.

Now, two decades of loyalty may not be enough to shield you from the consequences of accumulating losses. In 2024, Mike Gundy experienced a historically dreadful season. A 3-9 overall record, a 0-9 Big 12 conference record, and the Cowboys’ first winless conference performance since 1991 have intensified the pressure on Stillwater’s longest-serving coach. Oklahoma State fans are not only restless now; they are also starting to question what lies ahead.

And the worst part is prior to last season, Mike Gundy had only one losing season in 2005, his debut year as head coach. However, the 2024 season surpassed all previous low points. For the first time, a Big 12 game shut out OSU, and now in 2025, the focus is on survival, not just improvement. If Gundy fails to steer the team in the right direction, it could mark the end of an era in Stillwater.

Even John Kurtz recognizes Oklahoma State’s program is stagnant, a problem he openly criticizes, saying, “So, a little bit of restlessness from Oklahoma State fans, a bit of just fatigue, right? He’s been there for a very long time — 20 years, two decades now. Maybe some Mike fatigue. And then there’s been drama, and a lot of it, for a while. Surrounded by the NIL stuff, like, is he embracing NIL enough?  Now the worst part is Coach Mike Gundy’s new contract.

So, Oklahoma State reduced Gundy’s buyout, signaling a significantly shorter leash for him. Now, the cost to fire him in December exceeded $25 million, but OSU now pays $15 million over three years, decreasing to $10 million in 2028. Plus, their financial safety net is shrinking rapidly. If Gundy doesn’t turn things around swiftly, the Cowboys might be writing a check sooner or later.

A tough road ahead for Mike Gundy

It’s evident that Mike Gundy is under intense pressure heading into the 2025 season as Gundy is the lone returning on-field coach. Yes, you read that right. With new coordinators Doug Meacham on offense and Todd Grantham on defense leading a revamped coaching staff. However, simply making coaching changes may not be enough to address the team’s issues. The fanbase is growing restless, and Gundy is not just coaching for wins anymore — he is coaching for his job.

Moreover, things get even trickier with the Cowboys HC’s new contract, which requires him to assist in finding his own replacement if the athletic director wants it to happen. Pretty rough, right? This move indicates that coach Gundy is not just facing pressure to perform but also to gracefully transition out if needed. Plus, Oklahoma State has reallocated $1 million from Gundy’s salary to support NIL funding for players. Additionally, Gundy is now expected to take part in various fundraising activities, ranging from donor events to individual meetings, all under the discretion of AD Chad Weiberg.

Even John Kurtz didn’t hold back when discussing Mike Gundy’s situation: “Obviously, I haven’t even mentioned it yet, but, you know, three-win season last year. Winless in the Big 12. Just wretched. Just wretched. So because of that, Mike Gundy is definitely under a lot of pressure.” Since OSU contemplated a coaching change last offseason, this contract revision reads as a warning, not an endorsement.

Now, as if things weren’t dire enough, their recruiting class also looks thin — especially on defense, as following a visit to Colorado, edge rusher Alexander McPherson (IMG Academy) decommitted, leaving OSU in a difficult position. In response, they added JUCO defensive end Rashod Bradley (East Mississippi CC), but that leaves their defensive line class with just two players. Let’s wait and see how Coach Gundy will turn things around in Stillwater.