"Willingness to compromise": Pete Thamel's report from College GameDay sums up $25M worth standoff between Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State
Having a staple at the coaching position is critical for a team to dominate but there has been a standoff in Stillwater between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and coach Mike Gundy. There was a rumor floating out on Friday that the two sides are discussing that either Gundy restructures his contract or get fired.
While reporting on "College GameDay," ESPN's Pete Thamel broke down the standoff that is going on between the Cowboys and Gundy.
"In my two decades doing this, I don't think I've seen one quite like this," Gundy said. "Yesterday, Oklahoma State officials approached Mike Gundy and said to him, 'you need to take a pay cut and a cut in the buy out or we are going to fire you.'
"Gundy, as of right now, is still in this contract standoff with Oklahoma State. He makes $7.7 million a year and his buy out is $25 million. I've been told Gundy has shown a willingness to compromise, we'll see if it happens this weekend."
Mike Gundy has been the coach of the Cowboys since the 2005 season, making him the second-longest tenured coach in college football. He has a 169-88 record (102-72 Big 12) throughout his collegiate career thus far.
What controversies has Mike Gundy been part of?
The Oklahoma State Cowboys had a miserable 2024 season as they were last in the Big 12 Conference with a 3-9 (0-9) record. Gundy has been no stranger to controversy and having an issue with the administration.
In 2020, Gundy had a $1 million pay cut after he was publicly criticized by former Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard for wearing a One America News T-shirt.
Gundy also said during the 2024 Big 12 Media Day that he has probably drunk and driven 1,000 times. During the 2024 regular season, he apologized for implying that fans who were criticizing Oklahoma State "can't pay their own bills".
Mike Gundy has proven to be a good coach but has also shown to put his foot in his mouth at other times.