Oklahoma State President Jim Hess Pens Letter to Cowboy Family in Wake of Gundy Firing

The past two Oklahoma State presidents haven’t had to go through a leadership change atop the university’s football program, but after being on the job for less than a year, Jim Hess will see that change.

Oklahoma State fired coach Mike Gundy on Tuesday. Hess, who became OSU’s president on an interim basis in February before fully taking over in April, released a letter to the “Cowboy family” regarding Gundy’s termination Tuesday afternoon.

Dear Cowboy family,

After careful consideration and evaluation, Mike Gundy will no longer serve as Oklahoma State University’s head football coach. Offensive Coordinator Doug Meacham has been named interim head coach as we begin our search for the program’s next leader.

This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to championship-level football and our expectation of competing for national success. At OSU, we dream as big as the sky, and that means setting the highest standards for our athletic programs and ensuring our student-athletes have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Throughout the challenges facing OSU football, the Cowboy family has shown the passion, loyalty and unwavering support that define who we are. Your dedication to our student-athletes exemplifies the very best of our community, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to OSU. 

I appreciate Chad Weiberg’s leadership as we move forward. We are committed to embracing the aspects of modern college football that will help our program compete at the highest level. We will provide our coaches and student-athletes with the resources and support they need to succeed, ensuring that when our players finish each day, they know that they and the university have given their all.  

Our search for a permanent head coach will be thorough and comprehensive. We are looking for a leader who shares our vision for championship football, who understands the unique culture and values of our land-grant university, and who can recruit and develop the exceptional young men who will represent the Cowboy family with pride.

This is a pivotal moment for our program, and I have confidence in our ability to return to Big 12 and national contention. OSU football is built on the principles of hard work, integrity and excellence. With your continued support and our shared commitment to doing what’s right, we will emerge from this transition stronger than ever.

Your loyalty, your passion and your belief in this university mean everything to our success, and together we will continue pursuing the excellence that defines OSU. 

I want to express the gratitude of the Cowboy family for Coach Gundy’s decades of service to our university. His legacy as a player and coach will always be part of our story, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.

As always, thank you for being part of the Cowboy family.  

Go Pokes!

Jim Hess
President, Oklahoma State University

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