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Mike Gundy Says Oklahoma State has 'No Part' in Rivalry Game vs. Oklahoma Ending
Sep 21, 2022
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 1: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks around the field after his 150th career win at OSU with a victory against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 1, 2022 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 58-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The longstanding Bedlam rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will officially come to an end when the Sooners depart for the SEC in 2025, but Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy wants to make it clear his school is not to blame.
Per ESPN's Dave Wilson, Gundy said Tuesday that Oklahoma State "has no part" in the rivalry ending.
From the perspective of Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, it's the Cowboys who are calling it quits on the historic rivalry, which has been around since 1904 with 116 meetings between the schools.
"Oklahoma State has shown no interest to schedule any future games in football, so we're moving on," Castiglione said.
Gundy denied the accusation and believes it's not something that is worth discussing because it all hinges on Oklahoma's decision to depart the Big 12.
"Bedlam is history, we all know that. We've known that," Gundy said, "because OU chose to follow Texas and the money to the SEC. It's OK. So now, we're having what I think are childish discussions, in my opinion, over something that's done. And I would like to make this the last statement that I have because I have no hard feelings."
The 55-year-old continued: "But what's going on now is almost a situation with a husband and a wife, or a girlfriend and a boyfriend when you know you're dead wrong and you try to turn the table and make them think they're wrong, when Oklahoma State has no part in this."
While it sounds like Gundy has accepted fate, Castiglione said Tuesday that he hasn't given up on the Bedlam rivalry and he believes it could return "at some point in the 2030s."
As far as Gundy is concerned, the onus doesn't fall on the Cowboys to figure it out because they weren't involved in the "multibillion-dollar conversations" between Oklahoma and the SEC.
"So, everybody needs to get over it and move on and quit trying to turn the tables," he said. "It's somewhat comical that they still want to bring us into this equation. Let's not turn the tables. Let's just say, 'Hey, look, we chose to follow Texas and take the money and we're going to the SEC.' It's all good. Let's quit talking about it. Let's talk about football."
The Sooners will host the Cowboys in what could be one of their final meetings on Nov. 19.
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Bedlam Rivalry Series Done When Sooners Join SEC
Sep 20, 2022
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 27: Running back Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners leads linebacker Devin Harper #16 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys on a chase in the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys won 'Bedlam' 37-33. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The Bedlam series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will come to an end in 2025.
Athletic directors Chad Weiberg of Oklahoma State and Joe Castiglione of Oklahoma told Brett McMurphy of The Action Network there are no plans to continue the rivalry when the Sooners leave the Big 12 for the SEC.
"It (playing Oklahoma) presents logistical issues under our current (scheduling) structure," Weiberg said. "We don’t have any openings to play them. We’re full. Unless there are significant undertakings to make the game happen, it can’t happen."
According to Castiglione, Oklahoma State "has shown no interest to schedule any future games in football" and his program is "moving on" to other potential opponents.
Conference realignment has upended several rivalry games that took place annually across college football. Oklahoma and Nebraska went 11 years between games from 2010 to 2021 after the Cornhuskers left the Big 12 for the Big Ten. The two teams did reunite for a home-and-home series in 2021 and 2022.
The Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pittsburgh was on ice for 11 years after the Mountaineers left the Big East for the Big 12. They played their first game against each other since 2011 on Sept. 1, with Pitt getting a 38-31 win.
The Lone Star Showdown featuring Texas and Texas A&M hasn't been played since 2011, though it will likely make a comeback when the Longhorns join their in-state rivals in the SEC in 2025.
Per McMurphy, the biggest reason Bedlam won't continue is because the schools share similar scheduling philosophies, with Oklahoma State expected to maintain a nine-game Big 12 schedule and the SEC expected to implement a nine-game conference schedule when Oklahoma and Texas join.
The board of regents at Oklahoma and Texas unanimously voted to accept an invitation to the SEC in July 2021. The move is expected to happen on July 1, 2025, after the Big 12's current media rights deal expires.
The Sooners and Cowboys have a rivalry that dates back to 1900 if you include track and field. Their football series began in 1904 with a total of 116 games played. The only years they haven't met on the gridiron were 1905 and 1909.
Oklahoma has dominated Bedlam on the football field. The Sooners have a 90-19-7 edge in the series, but Oklahoma State won last year's game 37-33. This year's matchup will be played on Nov. 19 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
Mike Gundy: Oklahoma, Texas 'Took the Money and Ran' to SEC, Hurt College Football
Aug 16, 2022
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach MIke Gundy looks on before the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl college football bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on January 1, 2022 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy didn't mince words when speaking about Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, saying that the two rivals "took the money and ran."
"Let's just cut to the chase. They made a choice to financially secure their athletic departments for the next 12 to 15 years," Gundy told Chris Low of ESPN. "People can talk about all the reasons, but that's why they did it, all for the money, and took a lot of history out of this league and a lot of history out of college football with them.
"Now, they're not the first ones to do it. Texas A&M did the same thing when they jumped ship to the SEC [in 2012]."
Texas and Oklahoma will officially leave the Big 12 for the SEC on July 1, 2025, and both schools are bound to take in far more cash thanks to the seemingly bottomless pit of money waiting for SEC institutions, as Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News noted on Feb. 18, 2022:
"The latest staggering number came Feb. 10, when the SEC reported $777.8 million in revenue for the 2020-21 fiscal year. That translates into $54.6 million for each of the 14 member schools, including Texas A&M. The figure represented a $9.1 million increase over 2019-20, the first fiscal year to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and paves the way for a lot of pricey contract extensions and facility upgrades."
Jabari Young of CNBC reported in July 2021 that Texas and OU had "received about $34 million from the Big 12 over the last year."
Gundy also noted that "some great rivalries and a lot of history" will be lost with Texas and OU leaving, including the infamous "Bedlam" showdown between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
"It's just not going to be feasible," Gundy said in part. "We're scheduled out to 2036, I think, and I'm sure the SEC is going to nine conference games. They'll have to, or the media will kill them."
As far as the Big 12's future goes sans Oklahoma and Texas, Gundy isn't overtly concerned that their exodus will negatively affect the conference.
"The Big 12 is going to be fine, and I'm just giving you my opinion and know people get upset with my opinion, but we were fortunate that the two teams that left did it when they did [last year] and not now," Gundy said.
Gundy also praised the four schools (BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF) who will be joining the Big 12 with Texas and Oklahoma now leaving, noting they "can compete at any level."
"They have great television markets in different locations in the country that we didn't have," he said. The SEC and Big Ten are going to be strong, but after that, we're right there."
Gundy is entering his 18th season as the Cowboys' head coach. His team is ranked No. 12 in the preseason Associated Press poll and is slated to begin the year against Central Michigan on Sept. 1.
Mike Gundy Addresses Brother Cale's Oklahoma Resignation After Using 'Shameful' Word
Aug 13, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys stands on the sideline during the second half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy didn't have much to say about his brother, Cale, in the wake of his resignation from the University of Oklahoma earlier this week for using what he described as a "shameful and hurtful" word during a position meeting.
Speaking to reporters Saturday, Mike joked the situation "gave me enough information for a good chapter in my book whenever I retire."
Specific details about the word Cale used have not been made public. He said in his resignation statement on Twitter that he "read aloud the words" written on a player's iPad screen and one of them he "should never—under any circumstance—have uttered" the word that was displayed.
Sooners head coach Brent Venables said in a statement that he accepted Cale's resignation for reading aloud "not once but multiple times, a racially charged word that is objectionable to everyone, and does not reflect the attitude and values of our university or our football program."
When Venables took over as head coach in December following Lincoln Riley's surprise move to USC, Gundy was named wide receivers coach.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon, who played for the Sooners from 2014 to 2016, issued a statement of support for Gundy on Twitter:
Mike was asked on Saturday about the possibility of adding his brother to Oklahoma State's coaching staff.
"We hadn't even talked about that," Mike said. "He's got several other options right now that he's looking at. I haven't talked to him about that."
Cale has spent most of his life at the University of Oklahoma. He played quarterback for the Sooners from 1990 to 1993 and remained with the program as a graduate assistant in 1994.
After spending four seasons as an assistant coach at UAB, Cale returned to his alma mater in 1999 when Bob Stoops hired him as running backs coach. He has also coached wide receivers and was the team's recruiting coordinator from 2015 to 2021.
Mike is entering his 18th season as Oklahoma State head coach. The 55-year-old began his coaching career with the Cowboys in 1990 as wide receivers coach on head coach Pat Jones' staff.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Mike played quarterback at Oklahoma State from 1986 to 1989.
Malcolm Rodriguez NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Oklahoma State LB
Apr 1, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball while being tackled by Malcolm Rodriguez #20 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 232
HAND: 9 5/8"
ARM: 30 1/8"
WINGSPAN: 6'1 1/8"
40-YARD DASH: 4.52
3-CONE: DNP
SHUTTLE: DNP
VERTICAL: 39.5"
BROAD: 10'0"
POSITIVES
— Very good vision and discipline. Identifies run and pass concepts quickly and does not hesitate to react.
— Plays fast downhill. Knows how to stay tight to the DL and work in traffic.
— Good quickness in the box. Can hop gap to gap and function in tight spaces.
— Effective at slipping blocks thanks to his quickness, natural leverage and decent balance.
— Good speed. Can make plays in space and toward the perimeter.
— Heads-up, physical coverage player. Effectively plays his zones and reroutes when possible.
NEGATIVES
— Short build with poor arm length. Prone to losing engagements with OL and giving up ground.
— Despite putting up 36 reps of 225 at the Oklahoma State pro day, his play strength is inconsistent. He is willing to play violently but just does not have the functional strength or explosion to do it consistently.
— Change of direction in space can get clunky. Needs to take perfect angles to the perimeter.
— Sound form as a tackler, but his short arms can lead to missed tackles.
2021 STATISTICS
14 G, 129 TOT, 16 TFL, 3 SK, 4 FF, 1 INT
NOTES
— 3-star recruit in 2017.
— Recruited to Oklahoma State as a safety but transitioned to linebacker by the time he became a starter in 2018.
Malcom Rodriquez has all the necessary skills of an NFL linebacker, but he will be fighting an uphill battle against his small build.
At 5'11" and 232 pounds, Rodriguez sports a thick build, but he will be one of the shortest linebackers in the league. Likewise, he measured in at the combine with 30⅛" arms. That lack of length regularly showed up on film when going to take on blocks. He rarely proved he could them head-on, both due to his poor length and wavering play strength. Even in the most optimistic projection, there will be instances where he is outmatched physically.
Rodriguez has plenty to offer, though. Despite his size and strength, he still finds ways to excel in the box. He plays with a hair trigger that is seldom wrong, allowing him to get the jump on run plays. Rodriguez is also quite comfortable playing tight to blocks and finding creative ways to slip blocks in congested areas, helping him overcome his deficiencies. He's also mostly impressive in space. Though his change of direction can get ugly at times, he plays with good initial burst as well as long speed to chase to the perimeter.
Rodriguez can hold his own in coverage as well. Keeping up with quicker running backs and slot receivers may be tricky with his change-of-direction limitations, but his awareness and speed allow him to play effectively in zone coverage. He can patrol windows all around him while also excelling at triggering downhill to kill yards-after-catch situations.
Size and strength are Rodriguez's limiting factors. Everything else about his game screams NFL starting-caliber linebacker. That said, size and strength are major limitations to overcome, and Rodgriguez would need to develop into an elite processor and technician to make it work at a high level. He would be best served as a "Mike," where his quick processing, coverage skills and range can be accentuated.
Baylor Upsets Oklahoma State in Big 12 Title Game as Cowboys' CFP Hopes Fade
Dec 4, 2021
Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (9) celebrates a touchdown catch with wide receiver Drew Estrada (18) and tight end Ben Sims (86) during the first half of the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
The Baylor Bears have won the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time in school history after their thrilling 21-16victory over Oklahoma State at AT&T Stadium on Saturday.
Oklahoma State had an opportunity to take the lead in the final seconds, but Baylor's defense stepped up huge. Dezmon Jackson's attempt to turn the corner on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line came up short when Jairon McVea stopped him short of the end zone.
That came after the Cowboys went 89 yards in 16 plays to put themselves in position to go ahead. Baylor forced a turnover on downs and was able to run out the clock on its next offensive snap.
This was the second time Baylor has played in the conference title game. Its first appearance was a 30-23 loss to Oklahoma in 2019.
Saturday's win also provides the Bears with a strong measure of revenge. They were held to a season-low 14 points in a loss to Oklahoma State on Oct. 2. Head coach Dave Aranda's team will likely be headed to the Sugar Bowl for the second time in three years.
Oklahoma State likely would have found itself in the College Football Playoff with a win. The Cowboys entered this week No. 5 in the rankings, with all four teams ahead of them playing Saturday.
One of Georgia (No. 1) and Alabama (No. 3) was guaranteed to lose since they are playing in the SEC Championship Game.
Baylor looked like it was going to roll in this game during the first half. Quarterback Blake Shapen completed his first 17 passes, three for touchdowns, to get the Bears out to a 21-3 lead with 5:29 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bears were shutout in the second half, but their defense was able to make enough plays for those 21 first-half points to be enough.
Oklahoma State was its own worst enemy for most of the game. Spencer Sanders threw four interceptions, though some were the product of bad luck. He hit Brennan Presley in the third quarter with a pass that was thrown a little off target, but Presley bobbled it, allowing Brayden Utley to pick it off.
After getting down to Baylor's 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter, Jackson fumbled a handoff by Sanders that Oklahoma State was able to recover. It settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-16 with 8:17 left in regulation.
That would be the end of the scoring for both teams in the game. Oklahoma State lost for just the second time this season. Its 11 wins this season are its most since 2011 (12-1).
This game couldn't have any started any better for Baylor. Shapen was picking apart an Oklahoma State defense that came into this week ranked third in the nation in total yards allowed per game (281.4) and tied for fifth in points allowed per game (16.4).
The Bears surpassed that point total in the first 25 minutes of game time. Shapen looked to be on his way to having a historic performance.
What a first half for Blake Shapen against OKST...
- 4th QB with 3 Pass TD in the 1st half of the Big 12 title game.
The Bears did miss a golden opportunity to extend their lead before halftime. Shapen drove them 60 yards downfield with three chances from the Oklahoma State 21-yard line, but each of his passes fell incomplete to set up a field-goal attempt that was blocked.
Baylor's offense had five drives in the second half, not counting the final snap of the game. Only one of those drives lasted more than five plays and gained at least 10 yards.
Despite those struggles with the ball in their hands, the Bears were able to win because their defense was able to match what Oklahoma State was doing.
The Cowboys had seven drives of their own in the second half. Two of them did end with points, including one touchdown, but the others resulted in two interceptions, one fumble, one turnover on downs and a punt.
It hasn't been talked about a lot because the Big 12 isn't regarded as a defensive conference, but defense was crucial to Baylor's success this season.
Even though Oklahoma State was the best defensive team in the conference, Baylor more than held its own. The Bears ranked 17th in the nation with 19.4 points per game coming into Saturday.
TCU was the only team to score at least 30 points against Baylor.
All of the pieces came together to lead the Bears to a Big 12 title game victory for the first time in program history. They have been an elite team all year and will have a chance to end the season ranked in the Top 10 for the first time since 2014 with a win in the bowl game.
Mistakes Doom Cowboys in Final Playoff Audition
In their biggest game of the season, this was as bad as the Cowboys could have played. Sanders had as many interceptions today as he did in the previous seven games combined.
The Oklahoma State defense allowed Shapen to throw for 151 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
Whatever head coach Mike Gundy said to his team during the halftime break seemed to have resonated, especially with the defense. Shapen completed sixof 11 attempts for 29 yards in the second half.
Oklahoma State's offense did move the ball better in the second half, but there was still a lack of consistency overall that wound up playing a huge role on the decisive final drive.
The defense forced a turnover on downs early in the third quarter to help set up the Cowboys' first touchdown drive. Dominic Richardson capped off an eight-play drive with a score from four yards out.
Special teams also looked like it was going to work in Oklahoma State's favor. In addition to a blocked field goal at the end of the first half, the Cowboys got a turnover when Baylor's Trestan Ebner muffed a punt return that Korie Black recovered.
Gundy continued to show tremendous confidence in his defense in crunch time. He punted the ball away on 4th-and-4 from his own 31 with 3:51 remaining, despite trailing by five points.
The strategy paid off with Oklahoma State forcing a three-and-out to get the offense back on the field with 90 yards to go and 3:14 left on the clock.
It looked like the Cowboys were going to overcome their ugly play and pull off a miraculous win. They gained 88 yards in 13 plays to set up a 1st-and-goal from Baylor's 2-yard line.
Gundy's play-calling in that situation left a whole lot to be desired:
Ball at the 1… 0 yard run inside the tackles 0 yard run inside the tackles PAP throw to the DE Shotgun inside zone for .5 yards
Credit the Baylor defense but my word Okie State. Y’all had nothing better when that same offense didn’t work the last drive
Throughout his tenure at Oklahoma State, Gundy's teams have been defined by explosive offenses capable of putting up points in bunches. He coached a conservative game Saturday, and it wound up hurting his team.
Sanders' turnover problems may have impacted how Gundy wanted to play, but running back-to-back plays in the biggest moment of the game into the teeth of a Baylor defensive front that has been eating you alive all day was a bad strategy.
The end result is that Oklahoma State probably won't make it into the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings.
What's Next?
Oklahoma State and Baylor will find out which bowl game they will play in on Sunday.
No. 7 Oklahoma State Outlasts Caleb Williams, No. 10 Oklahoma for Bedlam Rivalry Win
Nov 28, 2021
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 27: Safety Tanner McCalister #2 and cornerback Christian Holmes #0 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrate after stopping a drive by the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The No. 7 Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners 37-33on Saturday to improve to 11-1 on the season. It was the team's first win over Oklahoma since December 2014.
Oklahoma State had already punched its ticket to the Big 12 title game before Saturday's win, which was head coach Mike Gundy's third win over Oklahoma since taking over as head coach in 2005.
Notable Stats
Caleb Williams, QB, OU: 20/39 for 252 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT and 19 CAR for 36 YDS
Spencer Sanders, QB, OSU: 19/30 for 214 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT and 16 CAR for 93 YDS, 1 TD
Kennedy Brooks, RB, OU: 22 CAR for 139 YDS; 1 REC for 25 YDS
Tay Martin, WR, OSU: 7 REC for 89 YDS, 1 TD
Brennan Presley, WR, OSU: 3 REC for 40 YDS; 2 kick returns for 142 YDS, 1 TD
Oklahoma State Overcomes Turnovers
Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders tossed a late first half interception to allow Oklahoma to tie the game entering halftime, and it was the Sooners who came out of the locker room for the third quarter with all the momentum thanks to multiple miscues by the Cowboys.
While Oklahoma was forced to punt on its first possession of the second half, the team forced a safety to go up 26-24 early in the third quarter. Oklahoma State's Dominic Richardson fumbled and it was recovered in the end zone for the safety.
The team came up big again on special teams by forcing Oklahoma State's Brennan Presley to fumble on a punt. Sooners star Justin Broiles recovered the ball for a touchdown to help put Oklahoma up 33-24.
Oklahoma State's struggles only continued when Tanner Brown missed a 44-yard field goal with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter. He entered Saturday's game having made 10-of-12 field goals on the season, with his longest being 49 yards.
And while Oklahoma State forced an Oklahoma fumble after missing the field goal, quarterback Spencer Sanders tossed his second interception of the night on the following drive.
Despite all the turnovers, the Cowboys cashed in when it mattered most, capitalizing off a muffed punt by Oklahoma's Eric Gray with 9:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma State's Demarco Jones recovered before Jaylen Warren rushed in for a touchdown to give the Cowboys a 37-33 lead.
Regardless of the win, the amount of turnovers from Oklahoma State on Saturday was absurd. They'll have to clean that up before facing Baylor in the Big 12 title game.
Oklahoma's Offensive Performance Disappointing
Oklahoma's rushing performance in Saturday's loss to Oklahoma State was disappointing. While Kennedy Brooks led the way with 22 carries for 139 yards, the rest of the team combined for just 14 yards on the ground and quarterback Caleb Williams recorded 19 carries for 36 yards.
This is in comparison to an Oklahoma State rushing offense that combined for 140 yards and three touchdowns and was more effective on the ground.
While it was a disappointing night for Oklahoma, the team's performance on the ground doesn't necessarily come as a surprise. The Sooners entered their regular-season finale averaging just 174.9 yards per game on the ground, fifth in the Big 12, compared to 266.5 passing yards per game, second in the conference.
In addition to the team's rushing performance, the receiving performance wasn't all that great either. Jeremiah Hall led the team with four catches for 76 yards, while Austin Stogner had three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
However, the Sooners finished with two turnovers compared to the Cowboys' three and also led with 441 yards to Oklahoma State's 354. So while the offense could have been better, it's clear that turnovers played a massive role in this game.
What's Next?
Oklahoma State will face the Baylor Bears in the Big 12 title game, while Oklahoma will watch from the couch.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Agree to Perpetual 5-Year Contract; Terms Not Disclosed
Oct 22, 2021
OCTOBER 16: Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy reacts to the crowd after defeating the University of Texas on October 16, 2021, at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After a 6-0 start this season, Oklahoma State has rewarded head football coach Mike Gundy with a new, unique contract extension.
The school announced Friday that the board of regents has approved a perpetual five-year contract for Gundy:
Prior to the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Gundy changed the terms of his contract with the program.
Athletic director Mike Holder told reporters in July 2020 that Gundy took a $1 million per year pay cut, and the rollover years in his contract were reduced from five to four. His buyout was also reduced from $5 million to $4 million.
“The changes were offered up by Mike Gundy, and I commend him for that. It was his idea to take a million-dollar pay cut,” Holder said. “I think it really demonstrates his commitment to being a better coach. He wanted to make a statement that assured all the players that this wasn’t just about talk, this is more about action, and that’s the first step.”
Friday's announcement essentially reinstates the five-year rollover clause in his deal.
Gundy has the Cowboys off to their best start since the 2015 season when they finished 10-3. They are ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
An Oklahoma State alum, Gundy began his coaching career at his alma mater. He was hired as the wide receivers coach in 1990 by then-head coach Pat Jones. He spent six seasons with the program before serving as an assistant at Baylor and Maryland.
The Cowboys brought Gundy back as associate head coach and offensive coordinator under Les Miles in 2001. The 54-year-old was promoted to head coach when Miles took the LSU job after the 2004 season.
Gundy is the program's all-time leader in games coached (210), wins (143), bowl-game appearances (15) and bowl wins (10).
