Two decades with a program? That’s not just a commitment; it’s a dynasty in the making. “You have continuity and you have structure. You have what you call consistency.” Those words describe a coach who has built a winning legacy, with only a single losing season marring his record since his rookie year back in 2005. But 2024 threw a wrench into the works, sending the program into a tailspin. Now, with a hefty $15 million buyout hanging over their heads, the pressure is on to not just recover but to come back stronger than ever. Can he pull it off?

The weight of expectations rests squarely on the shoulders of… Mike Gundy. His two decades of dedication to the Oklahoma State Cowboys came crashing down after a dismal 2024 season. The Cowboys ended with a 3-9 record, a humiliating 0-9 in Big 12 games, marking the first time since 1991 that they failed to secure a single conference victory. This has placed immense pressure on Gundy, particularly after being listed by Brad Crawford as one of the coaches under the most scrutiny heading into the 2025 season.

“Before last season, Gundy had one losing campaign in Stillwater with the Cowboys, and that came way back in 2005. His first year, this program has never gone winless into the Big 12 until last season, so 2025 has to be a bounce back if you’re Oklahoma State and Mike Gundy,” Brad said. See, the problem here is Mike Gundy is already facing the heat of a losing season. But that’s not the only thing creating problems for him. Coach Gundy’s $15 million paycheck is also seeing a major dip, and Brad’s statement is only making it worse.

Well, the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents recently made a significant decision regarding Mike Gundy’s salary. They approved a $1 million pay cut, reducing his 2025 earnings from $7.75 million to $6.75 million. Despite agreeing to the new terms last month, Gundy is now bound by a 4-year contract extending until 2028, with annual $125,000 raises.

While this isn’t as lucrative as his previous deal, he is still receiving compensation. Plus, changes have been made to the buyout terms, with the previous percentage-based system being replaced by a fixed $15 million over the next three years. This is a significant drop from the $25 million buyout under the old agreement. Gundy now has a few years to either improve the situation or opt for the buyout.

But despite a challenging season and contract dispute, Gundy is not the one making plans for his future. As coach Mike returns to Stillwater, the outlook for him appears bleak.

More pressure builds around Mike Gundy’s future with the Cowboys

Now, after a tough 3-9 season that saw Oklahoma State finish at the bottom of the Big 12, Gundy’s decision to maintain stability involves a complete overhaul of the coaching staff. Mike Gundy is the only head coach remaining. While the departure of both coordinators may appear to be a setback, Gundy views it as a fresh opportunity. The entire staff is new, with Doug Meacham and Todd Grantham taking over as the new offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.

Mike Gundy isn’t hitting the panic button despite major roster and coaching staff turnover. He acknowledges the difficulty of the past December, admitting, “I don’t like letting people go.” While he’s returning, his entire coaching staff has turned over, including both coordinators. However, Gundy sees this complete reset as a unique form of continuity. “But in my situation, tough decisions have to be made. The continuity of college football players being in a location for the duration is a factor, and then I think allowing them to bring coaches in that understood their system will help with that continuity,” he explained. He’s banking on the fresh ideas his new staff brings from other programs, arguing that hiring a whole new staff together actually creates continuity, as opposed to bringing in a coordinator and then scrambling to find other coaches who fit his system.

Now adding another layer of complexity, Gundy’s new contract mandates his involvement in selecting and preparing his successor, ensuring a smooth transition as per AD Chad Weiberg’s instructions. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is reallocating the $1 million saved from Gundy’s salary towards enhancing the revenue share for athletes.

On top of that, coach Gundy’s also locked into fundraising duties. So, the AD will call on him for assistance, regardless of whether it’s a large-scale event or a private meeting. Now, Mike Gundy’s role has expanded beyond coaching, putting him in the driver’s seat for both the present and future of the program. Let’s see how he turns things around for the program this season.