Oklahoma State University has decided to retain head football coach Mike Gundy for the 2025 season, despite a deeply underwhelming 2024 campaign. After wrapping up their 20th season under Gundy’s leadership with a 3-9 record, the Cowboys’ struggles led to speculation about his future with the program. However, a report from KFOR’s Dylan Buckingham confirmed that Gundy will remain at the helm.
Ranked No. 17 in the preseason, expectations were high for the Cowboys. With returning stars like 2023 Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon III, quarterback Alan Bowman, linebacker Collin Oliver, and receiver Brennan Presley, fans and analysts alike anticipated a strong season.
The Cowboys opened the year with a promising 3-0 start but faltered as they entered Big 12 play. Consecutive losses to ranked opponents Utah and Kansas State marked the beginning of a sharp decline, with Oklahoma State failing to win another game for the rest of the season.
The struggles were evident on both sides of the ball.
Offense: Despite ranking fourth in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (262.3), the Cowboys’ rushing attack was one of the weakest in the conference, averaging just 111.8 yards per game (14th in the Big 12). This was a stark drop-off for Ollie Gordon III, who had rushed for 1,732 yards in 2023 but managed only 880 yards this season. Meanwhile, quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 2,423 yards with 16 touchdowns but also had 12 interceptions, underperforming compared to expectations.
Defense: The defensive unit was even more concerning, allowing an average of 500.6 yards per game—the worst in the Big 12. The inability to contain opposing offenses became a recurring issue throughout the season, culminating in a 52-0 blowout loss to Colorado in the final game of the regular season.
Following the season, Oklahoma State’s Board of Regents convened to evaluate Gundy’s performance and the program’s direction. Despite the disappointing results, the university opted to retain Gundy, citing his long-standing contributions and overall track record.
Since taking over in 2005, Gundy has become the winningest head coach in Oklahoma State history with a 169-88 record. Under his leadership, the Cowboys have appeared in 18 bowl games, boasting a 12-6 record in those postseason matchups.
While the decision to keep Gundy has sparked debate among fans, the veteran coach will have a chance to rebuild and refocus the program in 2025. The challenges ahead are significant, but Gundy’s legacy and history with the Cowboys suggest he has the experience to turn things around.
For now, Oklahoma State fans are left to hope that the lessons learned from a challenging 2024 season will pave the way for a stronger and more competitive team next year.