Reports: Nine OSU Football Assistants Unaffected by Budget Cuts

Oklahoma State announced COVID-19-triggered budget cuts earlier this week that impacted approximately 232 of the athletic department’s 241 employees.

The nine who were not affected by the cost-cutting measures, according to reporting from Scott Wright of The Oklahoman, were assistant coaches on the football team.

“The payroll cutbacks impacted 232 of the department’s 241 employees, but assistant football coaches under contract did not have their salaries affected, according to a document obtained from OSU by the USA Today Network and The Oklahoman,” Wright reports.

Stadium’s Brett McMurphy further added that OSU asked 25 head coaches, assistants and staffers under multi-year contracts to accept voluntary pay cuts, and the nine have not agreed to do so. At least not yet. (There are reportedly some negotiations between OSU’s football coaches and Holder, which thus far have resulted only in a stalemate, per Robert Allen.)

McMurphy’s coworker, Jeff Goodman, adds that OSU basketball staffers Lance Troster and Barry Hinson were affected by the cuts.

Of Oklahoma State’s 25 head coaches/assistants/staff w/multi-year contracts asked to take voluntary pay cuts, only 9 refused: football assistants Kasey Dunn, Jim Knowles, Charlie Dickey, Joe Bob Clements, Dan Hammerschmidt, Jason McEndoo, John Wozniak, Greg Richmond & Tim Rattay

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 12, 2020

The Oklahoma State football assistants refusing to take cuts likely cost others their jobs — including two on the men’s basketball side. Basketball operation director Lance Troester and analyst Barry Hinson both lost their jobs this past week. https://t.co/em8Fx9Kv8E

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) September 12, 2020

Mike Gundy, Mike Boynton and Mike Holder all received 25% pay reductions, per The Oklahoman. Cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie also received a pay reduction, of 20%. They were among the most drastic percentage pay reductions among those who are still employed, with pay cuts ranging from 2.5% to 25%. The highest-paid employees were asked to take the biggest percentage pay cuts.

In total 10 employees were laid off on Wednesday by OSU including Troester and Hinson, two invaluable hoops staffers. Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World reported late last week that Johnny Barr and Mike Groce, two key staffers working in recruiting, were also part of the layoffs.