Team Information
Ground | Boone Pickens Stadium |
City | Stillwater, Oklahoma |
Conference | Big 12, |
Nickname | Cowboys |
About Oklahoma State Cowboys Football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represents Oklahoma State University. They have been playing since 1901. The team plays in the Big 12 Conference and is known for its strong performances. Their home games are held at Boone Pickens Stadium, which expanded to seat over 55,000 fans. Mike Gundy has been the head coach since 2005. Under his guidance, the team has achieved multiple honours, including a Big 12 Championship in year 2011.
The Cowboys have appeared in many bowl games and have a history of winning seasons. Some of their biggest rivals are Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor. The team colors are orange and black, and their mascot is Pistol Pete. The Cowboys are known for their high-scoring offenses and tough defenses. Now, let’s explore the rich history of the Oklahoma State Cowboys football program.
Name of Team | Oklahoma State Cowboys Football |
First season | 1901 (122 years ago) |
Athletic director | Chad Weiberg |
Head coach | Mike Gundy |
Stadium | Boone Pickens Stadium |
Location | Stillwater, Oklahoma |
Conference | Big 12 Conference |
Field surface | FieldTurf |
Conference titles | 11 |
Fight song | Ride 'em Cowboys |
Mascot | Pistol Pete |
Rivals | Oklahoma (rivalry) Tulsa (rivalry) |
Consensus All-Americans | 20 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Introduction
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football team started in 1901. They have a long history in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and play at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mike Gundy is their head coach.
The Cowboys compete in the Big 12 Conference and have won 11 conference titles. Their fight song, "Ride 'em Cowboys," is well-known and loved by fans. The team's mascot, Pistol Pete, represents the Old West and the team's determination. They have a strong rivalry with Oklahoma and also play exciting games against Tulsa.
The team has had 20 consensus All-Americans, showing their high level of talent. Athletic director Chad Weiberg leads them with a focus on grit and pride. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are known for their thrilling performances and continue to be a strong team in college football.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football History
Founded in 1900, the Oklahoma A&M Aggies, later known as the Tigers, embarked on their football journey, joining the Southwest Conference in 1915. Transitioning to the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1925, they laid the foundation for a storied legacy. The Cowboys have competed fiercely throughout their history, amassing an all-time record of 638–572–48 (.526) and a commendable bowl record of 22–12 (.647).
Noteworthy achievements include claiming two national titles, one recognized in 1945 and the other in 2011, alongside clinching 11 conference championships. The program has produced distinguished talents, including Heisman winner Barry Sanders in 1988 and 20 Consensus All-Americans.
Rivalries have played a pivotal role, notably against in-state foes Oklahoma and Tulsa, igniting passion and intensity on the gridiron. As stalwarts in the Big 12 Conference since 1996.
Since 2010, Oklahoma State has accomplished eight seasons with at least 10 wins. They secured an outright Big 12 title in 2011 and a share of the Big 12 South title in 2010. Additionally, they made appearances in the Big 12 Championship game in 2021 and 2023. Oklahoma State reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll in multiple years, including 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Coach
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program boasts a rich history of leadership, with 22 head coaches shaping its trajectory since its inception in 1901. Among these notable figures are pioneers who laid the foundation for the program's success, each contributing their unique coaching styles and strategies.
From the inaugural head coach, F. A. McCoy, who guided the team in its formative years, to legendary figures like Jim Lookabaugh, Cliff Speegle, and Jimmy Johnson, who propelled the Cowboys to postseason glory, each coach has left an indelible mark on the program's legacy.
Noteworthy achievements include conference championships clinched under the guidance of John Maulbetsch, Lynn Waldorf, and Mike Gundy, who ushered in eras of dominance in collegiate football. Furthermore, coaches like Waldorf and Johnson have been honored with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Head Coach: Mike Gundy
Mike Gundy is the head coach of Oklahoma State Cowboys football, starting in January 2005. He's an American college football coach and former player. Gundy played quarterback at Oklahoma State from 1986 to 1989. He became Oklahoma State's coach on January 3, 2005. Gundy and Kyle Whittingham of the University of Utah are the second-longest tenured FBS coaches with one school, after Kirk Ferentz. Gundy is the longest-tenured in the Big 12 Conference. Throughout his coaching career, he's held various positions, including wide receiver coach, quarterback coach, offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach. His overall coaching record is 166–79, with a bowl record of 12–6.
Name | Term |
Mike Gundy | 2005–present |
Les Miles | 2001–2004 |
Bob Simmons | 1995–2000 |
Pat Jones | 1984–1994 |
Jimmy Johnson† | 1979–1983 |
Jim Stanley | 1973–1978 |
Dave Smith | 1972 |
Floyd Gass | 1969–1971 |
Phil Cutchin | 1963–1968 |
Cliff Speegle | 1955–1962 |
Jennings B. Whitworth | 1950–1954 |
Jim Lookabaugh | 1939–1949 |
Ted Cox | 1936–1938 |
Albert Exendine | 1934–1935 |
Pappy Waldorf† | 1929–1933 |
John Maulbetsch | 1921–1928 |
Jim Pixlee | 1919–1920 |
Earl A. Pritchard | 1917–1918 |
John G. Griffith | 1915–1916 |
Paul J. Davis | 1909–1914 |
Ed Parry | 1908 |
Boyd Hill | 1906–1907 |
F. A. McCoy | 1905 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium
Boone Pickens Stadium, once called Lewis Field, has been the Oklahoma State University Cowboys football team's home since 1919. It became a full stadium by 1920 and is the oldest field in the Big 12 Conference. After big wins, like the 2001 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Bedlam Series game plans for a big upgrade started.
The stadium got a big renovation funded by the "The Next Level" fundraising project led by the Oklahoma State athletic department. Now, it can hold 53,885 fans and is full of energy during games, giving fans a great place to cheer for their Cowboys football team.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Rivals
Bedlam Series
The Bedlam Series pits the Oklahoma State Cowboys against the Oklahoma Sooners in a heated rivalry encompassing various sports, including football. Despite the intensity of this rivalry, there isn't a specific trophy associated with their football matchups. The series, dating back over a century, has seen both teams compete fiercely for bragging rights and state supremacy. As of 2021, Oklahoma holds the lead in the overall series, with numerous memorable moments etched in the rivalry's history.
Oklahoma State–Tulsa football rivalry - The Turnpike Trophy
The Oklahoma State Cowboys engage in a rivalry with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, competing for the Turnpike Trophy. This trophy symbolizes the battle for regional supremacy along Oklahoma's turnpike system. In football, Oklahoma State leads the overall series against Tulsa with a record of 43–28–5. Notably, the Cowboys have maintained a dominant presence in recent matchups, particularly at home, boasting a twenty-three game winning streak against Tulsa in Stillwater since 1951. Their most recent victory in the series came in 2021, with a hard-fought 28–23 win. Since 1990, Tulsa has struggled against Oklahoma State, winning only three out of seventeen matchups, underscoring the Cowboys' dominance in this regional rivalry.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Record and stats
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program boasts a rich history, having been named national champions twice by NCAA-designated major selectors. While they officially claim the 1945 national championship, they don't acknowledge the 2011 title awarded by the Colley Matrix. The 1945 team, known then as Oklahoma A&M, was retroactively awarded the Coaches Poll national championship in 2016 after finishing the season undefeated with a victory in the Sugar Bowl. Their eleven conference championships, six outright and five shared, underscore their consistency and competitiveness within their conference. Notably, the 1945 season stands as the only undefeated campaign in Oklahoma State football history.
National championships
Season | Coach | Selectors | Record | Bowl | Result |
1945 | Jim Lookabaugh | AFCA | 9–0 | Sugar | W 33–13 |
Conference championships
Season | Coach | Conference | Overall Record | Conference Record |
1926 | John Maulbetsch | Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc. | 3–4–1 | 3–0–1 |
1930 † | Lynn O. Waldorf | Missouri Valley Conference | 7–2–1 | 2–0 |
1931 † | 8–2–1 | 1–0 | ||
1932 | 9–1–2 | 3–0 | ||
1933 † | 6–2–1 | 2–0 | ||
1944 | Jim Lookabaugh | 8–1 | 1–0 | |
1945 | 9–0 | 1–0 | ||
1948 | 6–4 | 2–0 | ||
1953 † | J.B. Whitworth | 7–3 | 3–1 | |
1976 † | Jim Stanley | Big Eight Conference | 9–3 | 5–2 |
2011 | Mike Gundy | Big 12 Conference | 12–1 | 8–1 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Roster
The Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Roster for the upcoming season showcases a diverse array of talent across all positions.
Leading the offense, the team has quarterbacks A. Bowman, Z. Flores, G. Gundy, G. Rangel, and P. Thompson, along with running backs E. Collins, H. Devins, O. Gordon II, J. Nixon, and S. Vailahi.
The receiving corps boasts players like T. Andrews, J. Bray, C. Cabbiness, J. Deason, B. Green, L. Johnson III, R. Owens, and more.
On the defensive front, notable names include R. Baker, D. Brown, I. Isuman-Hundley, X. Benson, C. Borrelli, N. Martin, D. Beamon, K. Black, and R. Lester.
Players like A. Hale, T. Murray, H. Kaak, and O. Ehrlich fortify the special teams, ensuring a well-rounded roster for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Schedule
The Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Schedule for the upcoming season is packed with exciting matchups.
DATE | OPPONENT |
Sat, Aug 31 | vs South Dakota State |
Sat, Sep 7 | vs Arkansas |
Sat, Sep 14 | @ Tulsa |
Sat, Sep 21 | vs Utah |
Sat, Sep 28 | @ Kansas State |
Sat, Oct 5 | vs West Virginia |
Fri, Oct 18 | @ BYU |
Sat, Oct 26 | @ Baylor |
Sat, Nov 2 | vs Arizona State |
Sat, Nov 9 | @ TCU |
Sat, Nov 23 | vs Texas Tech |
Fri, Nov 29 | @ Colorado |
FAQ's On Oklahoma State Cowboys Football
A. The Oklahoma State Cowboys football team was established in 1901, making it 122 years old as of 2024.
A. Mike Gundy is the current head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team, leading the program since 2005.
A. The Oklahoma State Cowboys play their home games at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
A. The Oklahoma State Cowboys football team competes in the Big 12 Conference.
A. The fight song of the Oklahoma State Cowboys is "Ride 'em Cowboys."