Subscribe for free to the America First Report newsletter.
Oklahoma State is on the bubble of being a major coaching job. It’s been more of a stepping stone until very recently – a good program with a long history but not a true national championship contender. Les Miles started there before taking the bigger job at LSU.
Mike Gundy has turned Oklahoma State into a contender. Though they seem to be a puzzle piece or two away from reaching the top, they’re perennially in the top 25 now and usually considered the biggest roadblock to Oklahoma University’s road to a Big 12 championship and possible playoff berth. Just one piece.
His name has been tossed around for the majority of major coaching vacancies for several years. The latest potential move was reported today as he interviewed with Tennessee.
Report: OSU’s Mike Gundy speaking with Tennessee about head coaching job
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy has spoken with the University of Tennesee about the team’s head coaching vacancy, ESPN reports.
Gundy, who signed a new 5-year contract with Oklahoma State in June, has already interviewed with Tennessee and had multiple phone conversations with representatives, according to ESPN.
This would seem like a perfect fit. They’ve struggled mightily after being a premier program for decades. It’s been 20 years since their last national championship. They didn’t register a conference win. There’s literally no place to go but up.
Reports indicate they would have doubled the salary he’s making at Oklahoma State.
Despite all of this, he turned them down.
Mike Gundy staying on as coach of Oklahoma State Cowboys
Mike Gundy has decided to stay at Oklahoma State after sources said he met with Tennessee athletic director John Currie earlier Tuesday in Dallas about the Volunteers’ head-coaching vacancy.
A former Cowboys quarterback, Gundy, 50, has spent 23 of his 28 years in coaching at Oklahoma State, the last 13 as head coach. Since 2010, he has led the Cowboys to at least 10 wins five times and guided them to an outright Big 12 title in 2011.
His Tweet didn’t just end speculation about the Tennessee job. If he’s to be believed, then it should end all future speculation, period.
Cowboy For Life! #GoPokes #okstate
— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) November 29, 2017
This is where he played football. It’s where he’s spent the vast majority of his coaching career and all of his head coaching career. It’s where his family and friends are. It’s where he belongs.
We should all want a Mike Gundy leading our favorite teams. In a world that is loaded with coaching carousels and career stepping stones, it’s good to know that loyalty and a willingness to build something great can still supersede ambition and financial gain. He’s the coach Oklahoma State deserves. If only he’d lose the mullet.
Covid variant BA.5 is spreading. It appears milder but much more contagious and evades natural immunity. Best to boost your immune system with new Z-Dtox and Z-Stack nutraceuticals from our dear friend, the late Dr. Vladimir Zelenko.