Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II exited the program on Friday and coach Mike Gundy could be next after the school reportedly asked him to take a restructured contract.
The request was made after Oklahoma State bottomed out with a 3-9 record this season and went winless in nine Big 12 games to finish last in the conference. The Cowboys were mauled 52-0 by Colorado in their season finale on Nov. 29.
Multiple reports suggest the Oklahoma State Board of Regents asked Gundy to take a significant pay cut but haven’t yet provided specifics to Gundy.
Reports indicate the regents want to use those funds toward NIL allocations in terms of helping land players. The regents would consider terminating Gundy’s contract if he fails to agree.
Gundy has a five-year contract that rolls over each year. His buyout is reportedly $25 million.
Earlier this week, offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo were dismissed.
Gundy just completed his 20th season as coach of the Cowboys and will miss out on a bowl game for the first time since going 4-7 in his first season (2005).
Gundy has eight 10-win seasons, including in 2011 when he went 12-1 and Oklahoma State beat Stanford 41-38 in the Fiesta Bowl to finish No. 3 nationally. The Cowboys also finished No. 7 in a 12-2 campaign in 2021 after recording a 37-35 win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
Gundy was a quarterback for Oklahoma State from 1986-89 and passed for 7,997 yards, 54 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. Among his teammates were Pro Football Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders.
Gordon declared for the NFL Draft on Friday while the chaos in Stillwater ensued.
Gordon struggled in 2024 after winning the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in the nation in 2023. He led the nation with 1,732 rushing yards and scored 22 touchdowns, 21 on the ground, while earning first-team All-American honors.
This season, Gordon rushed for 880 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. Overall, he had 2,920 rushing yards for the Cowboys, which ranks 12th in program history.
“It’s been an amazing run. From day one, I knew I was in the right place,” Gordon wrote on social media. “The love, support and family I’ve gained here will always be a part of me.
“Now, it’s time to take the next step in living out my dream … Thank you OSU, for everything. There’s only one Oklahoma and it ends with STATE!”
–Field Level Media
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