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Oklahoma State Football

Updated: Head Coach Gundy Apologizes for Monday's Comments at Fans

November 6, 2024
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(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.

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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.

Discussion from...

Updated: Head Coach Gundy Apologizes for Monday's Comments at Fans

4,644 Views | 18 Replies | Last: 15 days ago by GumbyFromPokeyLand
OctaviusRex
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10:05a, 11/6/24
This apology reads like a child whose mom is forcing them to apologize to their younger sibling.

And the last paragraph in this article confirmed just that. I hope the staff receives more complaints for this "apology".
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Fire Away
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11:54a, 11/6/24
I didn't come from money but have been giving back what I could with added career success. That comment really chapped me. I work hard for my money and his attitude lately isn't something I am going to continue investing in at this time.

I will always bleed orange. Go Pokes!
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Roughrider
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1:08p, 11/6/24
He did good. We need 2001-2013 Mike Gundy back, though. I miss that guy. He was salty and recruited his butt off.
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TUSKAPOKE
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1:09p, 11/6/24
I recommend accepting the apology, whether you feel it is sincere or not, and continue to support the team and overall program during this very disappointing season. HCMG is HCMG and this is not the first nor probably last time he will stick his foot in his mouth. HCMG needs to get this fixed and quickly. "Foot in mouth" does not help that "fix". I just made another small donation, in honor of "foot in mouth", to Pokes with a Purpose and encourage all who can to do the same to help with doing our part of the "fix". GO POKES!!!
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PaloDuroPoke
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2:18p, 11/6/24
I appreciate the apologize regardless of the sincerity or encouragement. Forgiveness is for me to give and I'll accept his apology. It was still stupid but maybe he follows his apology with some self awareness, humility, and correction. Do your damn job coach and quit denying your own accountability. Looking forward to seeing the effort starting this week. We can't keep doing the same thing and expect it to get better.
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Joe Khatib
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6:06p, 11/6/24
I figured this was coming! His comments were a little off the rails and should have never been uttered!
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eecowboy
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8:50p, 11/6/24
His apology was as insincere and out of touch as his "coaching" has been this year.

But, that's expected when one is going through to having to sell the family home, and all the equipment.

Look, HCMG has been extremely busy with many other things this football season - like getting a black-eye by a "cow" for example. Seriously? Lol … right.

Unfortunately for us loyal and true alumni, donors, and fans … Cowboy football hasn't been on the forefront.

Maybe next season he'll get back to the coaching we have experienced year over year from our Cowboys, and from him as well.

If not, OSU needs to go get the next best coach who will deliver their all, because there are plenty, we are all here for it!

Go Cowboys!!!
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Roughrider
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10:23p, 11/6/24
If the divorce thing is true, I feel bad for him. That would also explain his thousand yard stare during games and lack of emotional connection to what is happening around him - positive or negative. It's awful how normally private things are aired in public when one is a public figure. Time to back off him. I get it now.
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JPat
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1:34p, 11/7/24
There will be no offseason coaching personnel changes to Oklahoma State football.
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Joe Khatib
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In reply to JPat • 1:47p, 11/7/24
And you know this HOW???
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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2:40p, 11/7/24
Who the hell cares? I know he can coach and is better than +90% of the coaches out there. The current team is just a very bad mix of lack of skills at a few positions, key injuries at a few positions, low football IQ at a few positions, lack of football character at a few positions and some bad luck. Coaching can only overcome so much. Until Mike proves to me he either can't or doesn't have the fire to coach, couldn't give a rats a$$ what he says. I'm not so easily offended as it appears so many of our fans are.
True wisdom is knowing what you don't know.
- Confucius
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OctaviusRex
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 5:55p, 11/7/24
I don't think many people are as offended by what he said as much as they're annoyed with how he's acting in the face of a 6 game losing streak. He's taken 0 accountability and directed it right back at the fans. He's acting as if we're 8-1 and not giving any hint at doing anything to change what clearly isn't working. Comes across like he couldn't care less.

Id be able to stomach the AWFUL product on the field if he just said something like "This is my responsibility and this is unacceptable and not the Oklahoma State standard, I will do what it takes to get it fixed."

Not "just be thankful we've won so much over the last 19 years, stop *****ing" while making $8M he got from threatening to leave multiple times.
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72Cowboys
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6:59p, 11/7/24
Apology accepted.
Now, go beat TCU!
See you in Ft Worth,
Go Cowboys
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72Cowboys
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In reply to OctaviusRex • 7:02p, 11/7/24


Id be able to stomach the AWFUL product on the field if he just said something like "This is my responsibility and this is unacceptable and not the Oklahoma State standard, I will do what it takes to get it fixed."

He had said this after every game!
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OctaviusRex
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In reply to 72Cowboys • 7:31p, 11/7/24
LOL no he has not! He has never said it's unacceptable or that he's responsible for the ****ty product in the field. He's been deflecting and telling us what his job "isn't" all season.

He's done absolutely NOTHING to make any changes. He keeps rolling the same terrible game plans out there over and over again. He's said "I don't think I liked the schemes" WHICH HE PLANNED
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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In reply to OctaviusRex • 8:28p, 11/7/24
Fair enough. But I personally don't need him to SAY it's unacceptable. I know he knows it's unacceptable. If the kind of performance we've seen from certain players, coaches or team was in any way acceptable, he would never have gotten the program from where it was to where it is. Having him say it would be somewhat meaningless to me.

As for changes, now's not the time for coaching or scheme changes. That's an offseason undertaking. Even talking about it before the end of the season would be counter-productive.

I'm comfortable HCMG knows what he's doing and probably what he's going to do. I'm cool with Mike doing it the way he sees fit without the need to have my nerves calmed along the way with needless words, explanations and/or excuses.
True wisdom is knowing what you don't know.
- Confucius
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OctaviusRex
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 9:26a, 11/8/24
I see your point on a lot of that, but my question is - why is it counterproductive to make changes now? The season has gone to ****, there's nothing else to play for, especially in the context of the preseason aspirations. I couldn't care less about getting to a miserable bowl in Shreveport or whatever to play some MWC team (not gonna happen anyway) if we continue to roll out Bowman and other older dudes who aren't going to get any better and won't even be here next year.

The only thing the rest of the season is good for is getting younger guys experience. And why would making coaching changes be counterproductive? If we were still playing for something of any value then maybe, but IMO all it's doing is putting us even further behind the curve on getting a headstart on the transfer portal and recruiting and the coaching search/availability. Nardo, Dunn, and Dickey have proven, quite resoundingly, that they ain't it.
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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In reply to OctaviusRex • 9:32a, 11/9/24
First let's define possible changes.
Scheme change - no way. Heck, we haven't mastered any scheme currently in place even after a full spring camp, fall camp and 9 regular season games. Would seem to be pure folly to try to change with only 9 practices left.
Coaching change. Before I even go there, who says there's a problem with one or more coaches? As I stated earlier, in various position groups we clearly lack some talent, lack football IQ, lack football character and have had significant injuries. Is that a coaching issue, or the inevitable (bad) luck of the recruiting draw? I'm not going to assume we have a coaching issue that demands a change - I know I'm not that smart (see my signature). But let's say Gundy believes change is warranted. Making a change now would require adjusting coaching duties, and to what end? It's hardly fair to the coaches that are elevated or re-assigned in terms of evaluating their performance in their new roles and if they're a candidate for permanent promotion. And it's not fair to the players that have only 3 games left to make an adjustment to new coaching this late in the season - a season, as you say, that is already lost. And making a change just to make a change to satisfy fans is probably the worst idea.
I think you have to just make the best of what you have and use the last three games to fully evaluate and identify which players are keepers, and which players need to move on.
True wisdom is knowing what you don't know.
- Confucius
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