Mike Gundy reacts as job pressure builds after historic home loss

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy was blunt after a 19–12 loss to Tulsa, a defeat that snapped the Cowboys’ stranglehold on their in-state rival and left the longtime leader facing pointed questions about his future.

“Third and fourth down conversions weren’t good for us,” Gundy said. “I thought they did a a great job early in the game with some of the concepts that we haven’t executed on defense and really through the first quarter out coached us.”

But the spotlight quickly shifted from X’s and O’s to his job security. “Fans are upset. They’re all wondering if you should be the head coach even tomorrow morning. What would be your message?” one reporter asked.

Final: Tulsa 19, Oklahoma State 12

“Those aren’t decisions that I make,” Gundy replied. “My decision is to do exactly what I mentioned earlier and get these guys and keep moving forward and go on down the road and that’s what we do.”

Pressed further, Gundy acknowledged the unusual nature of the moment. “Well, it’s different obviously. You know, in 21 years it’s a different position that I’ve been in. But, um, as I say every week, you know, my job is to evaluate the overall program, players, the systems, and then be able to put it down and think about it. What do we need to do to improve? And then I have to make a decision on where we’re at based on what we have. And that’s what I do.”

Despite the setback, he pointed to progress with a young roster. “We’re still playing with a young quarterback that in my opinion in four or five weeks will be considerably different than he is now just through experience.”

And he reserved his closing words for the fans. “The crowd was awesome tonight. They really were. The stadium was full and they were fired up and they were awesome. But those aren’t decisions that I make.”

For a man that has been part of Oklahoma State’s football program for close to four decades, the postgame scene felt ominous. As Gundy himself admitted, “It’s a different position that I’ve been in.”

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