Mike Gundy may no longer be coaching Oklahoma State, but his connection to the Cowboys remains as strong as ever. Gundy appeared on TNT’s Big 12 pregame show on Saturday and reflected on his decades-long relationship with Oklahoma State, from arriving in Stillwater as a quarterback in 1986 to eventually becoming the program’s head coach.
“We had been very fortunate to be there a long time,” Gundy said. “I came there in 1986 as a player, and Oklahoma State was good enough to give me a scholarship, get a degree, nice enough to make me a coach and eventually as a head coach.”
Gundy then went on to talk about what Oklahoma State and Stillwater have meant to him.
“The fondest memories of my life,” Gundy said. “And just, great people, great organization. Stillwater, Oklahoma, is a beautiful place. And memories of a lifetime. And very, very thankful for Oklahoma State. And excited about what they’re doing now.”
It’s a notable reflection from a man whose name became synonymous with Oklahoma State football.
Here’s the full video:
Mike Gundy’s Career
Gundy played quarterback for the Cowboys from 1986-89 before eventually returning to the program as an assistant coach. He was promoted to head coach in 2005 and went on to lead Oklahoma State for more than two decades, overseeing one of the most successful stretches in program history.
Gundy’s tenure at Oklahoma State was easily the most successful sustained run in program history. After taking over as head coach in 2005, he finished with a 170-90 record, winning more games than any other coach in school history by a wide margin. Gundy led the Cowboys to the 2011 Big 12 Championship, eight 10-win seasons, five New Year’s Six bowl appearances and 18 consecutive winning seasons from 2006-23. He also won 12 bowl games and finished with 102 Big 12 victories, trailing only Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder in conference history when his tenure ended. Gundy was a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and earned National Coach of the Year honors during the Cowboys’ 12-1 season in 2011. His teams also produced 48 All-Americans and 42 NFL Draft picks, helping transform Oklahoma State into a consistent national contender during his two decades leading the program.
Now, Gundy is getting a chance to remain around the Big 12 from a different perspective as part of TNT’s college football coverage.
And judging by his comments Saturday, there doesn’t appear to be any bitterness about how his time in Stillwater ended. Instead, Gundy used his first Big 12 television appearance as an opportunity to express his gratitude for the school and community that shaped nearly his entire adult life.
