Even After Last Season Mike Gundy is Near the Top of College Football Coaching Winners

STILLWATER – I’m sure there are fans, Oklahoma State fans, that will read this story and I can hear the comments.

“There he goes again, Robert Allen has his nose so far up Mike Gundy’s backside that he knows what he had for dinner last night.”

“Robert Allen doing that Gundy apologize thing again.”

“When Mike Gundy speaks then Robert Allen’s mouth moves.”

“Robert Allen is the biggest Mike Gundy homer that there is.”

You can say what you want. Is the Oklahoma State head football coach a friend. You’re damn right he is. I’ve known Mike Gundy since 1984. I’ve spent a lot of time and ate a lot of meals at the Gundy house on Cherrywood Street in Midwest City. My wife and I were at Mike and Kristen Gundy’s wedding. I’ve watched their kids grow up. They’ve watched our do the same. I’ll never ask for forgiveness of being a “loyal and true” friend to the Gundy family. 

This little graphic says it all. It has been said to me often from friends and fellow media members across the country. They wonder why a coach that has won so many games and helped deliver the finest years of football in the 135-years that the school has been in existence. 

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Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is the winningest active coach in college football with 204 wins. He took over with the retirement of Mack Brown from North Carolina. Brian Kelly is second at 195 wins. He’s coached 21 seasons. 

Dabo Swinney of Clemson is third with 180 wins. He and Gundy share the fact that Terry Don Phillips identified both of them. At Clemson, Phillips made Swinney an interim head coach and after that season hired him as the permanent head coach. Phillips interviewed Gundy late in the process of replacing Bob Simmons. He nearly hired Gundy, but when he didn’t he insisted on Les Miles hiring Gundy as his offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. It was in Phillip’s mind a head-coach-in-waiting scenario. 

Then there is Gundy with 169 wins. He has 18 winning seasons in a row all culminating with bowl games. He has five New Year’s Six bowl games. He has a 12-6 record in bowl games, the best among active coaches. He has coached eight seasons of double-digit wins. 

College Sports Network: “While he gained notoriety for this clip, people should regard the Cowboys’ coach as a legend in Stillwater. Only five coaches can claim more than his twelve-bowl appearance. Heading into his 21st autumn at the helm, Gundy faces the toughest Big 12 regarding competition in its brief history.” 

Fans around the country see it and it is about time for Oklahoma State fans to embrace it. Many do. Their head coach Mike Gundy will end up as a Hall of Fame coach.