How soon they forget. That is certainly what comes to mind when thinking about Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy. Gundy’s young and injury riddled Pokes are 5-6 and facing a must win Bedlam matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners if they are to extend their bowl streak to nine consecutive years. What is amazing is how quickly fans have turned on the winningest coach in the modern history of this program.
Hometown Hero No More
The 47-year-old Gundy was a star quarterback at OSU from 1986 through 1989 and was an assistant coach in Stillwater on two occasions from 1990 through 1995 and again from 2001 through 2004. He replaced Les Miles as head coach of Okie State in 2005 after Miles bolted to LSU.
Gundy has a career record of 82-44 with a 5-3 mark in bowls and a Big 12 Conference championship in 2011. He was the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2010, the Bear Bryant Award winner in 2011, and the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year in 2011. Until this season Gundy won at least nine games in each year but one from 2008 through 2013. But, in recent years, Gundy has clashed with the athletic department and is now facing an even bigger personality conflict.
Slim Pickens
Oklahoma State’s powerful alum T. Boone Pickens is the virtual owner of the football program, much like Nike’s Phil Knight is at Oregon. Pickens feels he is not getting enough bang for his buck this year and is frustrated with Gundy’s 1-8 record against Oklahoma. Pickens recently was quoted as saying he supports the “program” when asked specifically if he supports Gundy. This makes Saturday’s Bedlam showdown even more important to Gundy.
Defying History
Gundy has beaten the odds with his success at Oklahoma State. He has taken the program to a level of success never before attained in OSU history. The Pokes were within a whisker of a national title shot in 2011. And now with an inexperienced roster wiped out by graduation and the loss of starting QB J.W. Walsh to injury early in the season Gundy is feeling the heat. Cowboy nation had better be careful about what they wish for.
