With Mike Gundy no longer at the helm, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are facing one of the most consequential coaching searches in recent Big 12 memory, and insider McClain Baxley of GoPokes247 published a detailed hot board of potential successors that reflects both bold thinking and the new realities of the conference.
According to Baxley, among the names on that list are Zac Robinson (Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator), Todd Monken (Baltimore Ravens OC), Jim Knowles (Penn State DC), Eric Henderson (USC co‑defensive coordinator), Ryan Silverfield (Memphis head coach), G.J. Kinne (Texas State head coach), and Alex Golesh (USF head coach).
The range of candidates here underscores the ambitious path Oklahoma State appears to be pursuing. Zac Robinson, a former OSU quarterback turned NFL play‑caller, brings an alumni connection and offensive pedigree. Todd Monken, with his NFL experience and sustained success in the pro ranks, offers a plug‑and‑play pedigree and a signal that OSU is willing to look upward rather than only laterally.
Jim Knowles stands out as a defensive architect with Big Ten exposure and a high‑profile résumé. Eric Henderson represents the rising coordinator class at major programs, someone who could bring fresh energy. Ryan Silverfield and Alex Golesh offer proven head‑coaching experience, albeit outside the Power Four mainstream. G.J. Kinne rounds out the list as a rising Group of Four name who has already built momentum as a head coach and recruiter.
From a Big 12 vantage point, the stakes here are particularly high. Oklahoma State’s position in the league is undergoing a transition, with members recalibrating in response to new competition and resource bases under realignment. The Cowboys need a hire that can both reclaim past relevance and build toward sustainable success. By targeting candidates with profiles ranging from NFL coordination to successful Group of Four leadership, OSU appears to be acknowledging that the modern Big 12 demands hybrid leadership: recruiting acumen, transfer‑portal navigation, offensive innovation, and the toughness to win in a highly competitive league.
In the end, McClain Baxley’s hot board isn’t just a draft board; it’s a roadmap of expectations for Oklahoma State’s next chapter. Whether the Cowboys go with an NFL veteran, a rising star, or a proven head coach at a smaller program, they’re clearly signaling that incremental isn’t good enough anymore. In the Big 12’s new order, the new OSU coach must move fast and aim high.
