Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy got a surprise upgrade this summer.
He’s now in EA Sports’ College Football 26, and apparently, the digital version of him came with some serious hair.
“I think it’s pretty cool someone put me in a video game,” Gundy told reporters at Big 12 Media Days. “Someone showed me a photo of me in the game, and I love the hair. I have good hair, but they gave me great hair. Permanent hair. I loved it.”
That last part got a laugh around the room. “Permanent hair” is probably a phase all football coaches dream of after years of sideline stress. The glow-up clearly hit the right chord.
Gundy didn’t hide his envy of the compensation side of things either. “I wish I were getting the royalties the players are,” he joked. It’s a nod to the ongoing conversation around player likenesses and NIL in sports gaming.
It’s a small moment, but it matters in how coaches are starting to lean into pop culture. Gundy’s reaction is exactly the energy fans want: lighthearted, relatable, and self-aware. He’s willing to poke fun at himself and recognize that the gaming world is now part of the bigger college football ecosystem.
This also keeps Oklahoma State in the headlines for more than just wins and losses. A moment like this adds a splash of personality, and it reminds fans that Gundy isn’t just a play caller, he’s part of the culture, too.
So if you’re loading up College Football 26 this fall, keep an eye out for that digital flow on Gundy. Permanent hair, perfect coach.
