OSU AD says Gundy exit handled ‘right,’ cites long-term view

Stillwater, Ocla. – After hours Oklahoma State Announced Long -term football coach Mike Gundi firing Between the beginning of 1-2, Athletic Director Chad Weigeberg stressed that the decision was “the long-term the best interest of advancing the program”.

Gundi, the second longest -last -lasting FBS head coach, was leading Cowboy in his 21st season, only Kirk Farentz, behind, IowaCoach coach since 1999. The announcement of his exit comes on Tuesday morning, four days after Cowboy loses 19–12. Tulsa Last Friday.

“I expected that this season would be different from the results of the season,” Wieberg asked reporters on Tuesday. “It returns to the level of expected that coach Gundi has determined the program.

“We have more expectations from this, so when it does not appear that it is not going to be fulfilled, it felt that it was time to decide for the good of the program so that we could start the process of achieving the program where we want it to be.”

Viberg confirmed that he informed Gundi about his firing in a meeting on Tuesday morning. Accepting the long history of Gundi in Stillwater, Weigeberg spoke to the importance of ensuring that their exit was “correct”, and said that the decision was contributed to the time of the decision.

The 58 -year -old Gundi was not given the opportunity to remain in his role through the end of the season, according to Weberg, who explained that Gundi is ready to receive the entire amount of purchase of $ 15 million mentioned in his contract, determined to run through the 2028 season.

First year Oklahoma State aggressive coordinator Dag Mechum will serve as an interim head coach, this Saturday started with domestic game BeyorLong -term strength and conditioning coach Rob Glass is expected to take care of administrative duties within the program.

Gundi, the most winning coach in the history of the program, returned to the state of Oklahoma, it fell under a reorganization contract in 2024 after a 3-9 finish, the first defeat of the program after the first in-charge of Gundi in 2005. The loss to Tulsa came two weeks after Cowboy’s loss of 69–3. Oregan On 6 September and the FBS of Oklahoma state marked the 11th consecutive defeat against the opposition. Everyone said, Gundi charged 11 of their last 12 matches.

Underlining the decision to move beyond Gundi with nine sports, Weigeberg pointed to disappointing consequences that came after the school’s 2024 season “significant investment” in the program. He also looked at the long -term health of Oklahoma State Football beyond 2025.

“I think there are things here and now, this week, today, today, yesterday,” Weibberg said. “But we also have to see what is better for the program in next year, two years, five years.”

While there was speculation around Gundi job security this month, Viberg’s own future has been kept uncertain with the school, the 53 -year -old Athletic director has worked without a contract since the end of June.

Viber on Tuesday confirmed that he would lead the search for the next football coach of the school. While a new deal has not been formally completed, sources told ESPN that Weigg is ready to sign a four -year contract with an increase in its current annual salary of $ 750,000.

Wiebberg said that from the time of Tuesday’s decision, the state of Oklahoma would allow the state to form the basis for the future of the program and would discover a new fare at the end of this year, but refused to offer a certain timeline.

After participating with a coach, which was several times in the zero/revenue-share era of college football, Weibberg emphasized the resources available in the Oklahoma state. “This is not an affordable football team that we have this season,” said Weigberg and strengthened what is further due to the commencement of the program on our first coaching search in two decades.

“In any way this decision should not be away from the years of success, OSU football is under the leadership of coach Gundi,” said Weibberg. “Thanks to him, we know that winning Big 12 championships, going to college football playoffs and competing for the championship is realistic goals. They remain a perverse goal, but bets are high and competition is intense. It will be important for the OSU family to unite behind the next leader of the Cowboy Football.”