Report: Mike Gundy in ‘Standoff’ with Oklahoma State

It’s been an odd few days in Stillwater with little being said publicly, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel has now reported what everyone has been speculating about.

Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State are in a “standoff,” according to Thamel. Thamel reports that OSU has come to him and asked him to restructure his contract, but OSU has yet to provide him with any details. Thamel reports there have been discussions of firing Gundy for cause if he doesn’t agree to the new deal.

Sources: Mike Gundy is in a standoff with Oklahoma State. He’s telling people they have come to him and asked him to take a restructured contract, which is expected to include a pay cut. But they have yet to provide him with any details. pic.twitter.com/rCXlHRQ29b

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 6, 2024

John Holcomb, of KOTV and the Cowboy Radio network, reports that the offered restructured contract is for less money and would “restrict his autonomy when it comes to hiring coordinators” and that Gundy has a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday to make a decision.

The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents met for about two hours Friday morning in executive session. OSU president Dr. Kayse Shrum and athletic director Chad Weiberg joined that meeting about 45 minutes in. Gundy was not present.

Gundy, according to USA Today, was set to make $7.75 million this year. He’s the 17th highest-paid coach in the country and the highest-paid coach in the Big 12, per USA Today. His contract includes an automatic rollover every year. According to Thamel, Gundy is owed nearly $25 million if he isn’t fired for cause.

All this comes after the Cowboys went 3-9 in 2024, finishing 0-9 in Big 12 play after the Pokes returned a lot of production and were picked third in the league. Adding to the bad play on the field, Gundy also made headlines in early November when he said “in most cases” people voicing negative opinions “are the same ones that can’t pay their own bills,” a comment that was not looked at fondly by the OSU fanbase or donors.

The 2024 season was Gundy’s 20th as the Cowboys’ coach. He has a 169-88 record and is unquestionably OSU’s most successful football coach ever. After going 4-7 in his first season (2005), Gundy led the Cowboys to 18 straight bowl games, a streak that was snapped this season.

Reports surfaced Wednesday that OSU fired coordinators Kasey Dunn and Bryan Nardo, something that the school has yet to confirm.