(Updated to include a comment from Oklahoma State president, Dr. Kayse Shrum.)
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy made comments during his weekly press conference, this one on Nov. 4 head on Zoom, that took exception with fans and the type of fans that are criticizing his program that is mired in a six-game losing streak and is 0-6 in Big 12 play. Gundy issued an apology on Twitter/X on Tuesday night.
Gundy’s original comments were:
“That's why, in my opinion, I have to have a better feel for a broad picture of the organization in general. Kind of the synopsis of all of this is that this place has had tremendous success for 18 and a half years or 19. I can't do the math real good, but unfortunately in life, most people are weak, and as soon as things start to not go as good as what they thought, they fall apart and they panic, and then they want to point the finger and blame other people. You see it happen in everyday life. People do it all the time. That's why I refuse to watch the TV and watch the news, because I get tired of people complaining and bitching about this and that versus just doing something about it and trying to figure out a way to make it better.
“Well, that's what happens in college athletics. And as Jenni said, she's exactly right: it's just on the bigger stage where people can voice their opinion, and in most cases, the people that are negative and voicing their opinion are the same ones that can't pay their own bills. They're not taking care of themselves. They're not taking care of their own family. They're not taking care of their own job. But they have an obligation to speak out and complain about others because it makes them feel better. But then, in the end, when they go to bed at night, they're the same failure that they were before they said anything negative about anybody else.”
Pokes Report has learned that Gundy was strongly encouraged to issue the apology by athletics director Chad Weiberg as he and other staffers received extensive complaints about the Gundy comments.
Oklahoma State president, Dr. Kayse Shrum, released a statement to Channel 6 in Tulsa on the incident.
"OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg and I value the strength created by bringing the OSU family together. Coach Gundy's press conference comments did not reflect the position of the university, and he has subsequently issued a statement to apologize for those offensive remarks. We are grateful for the dedicated OSU fans and donors who make our success possible and appreciate their support during this challenging season."
Gundy and Oklahoma State (3-6/0-6) will play at TCU (5-4/3-3) on Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Amon Carter Stadium. The Cowboys finish the season after a bye week with Texas Tech at home Nov. 23 and then at Colorado on Friday, Nov. 29.
