Oklahoma State Football

What Can/Will We Learn At Big 12 Media Days?

What all will we learn from Mike Gundy and the Cowboys at Big 12 Media Days this week?
July 7, 2025
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STILLWATER – After a seven-month wait, college football is right around the corner with the start of Big 12 Media Days, and this year seems to be the most pivotal year for Oklahoma State. Coming off a 3-9 overall season, 0-9 in Big 12 play, Mike Gundy and his Cowboys have a lot to prove. They’ve added 62 players who were not on the roster last year, 40 of which are out of the transfer portal.

Personally, I view that as a good thing. It’s hard to be worse than the second-worst defense in college football at 133rd and the 80th overall offense. Adding more than half a roster from the portal certainly worked last year for Arizona State and to an extent, it worked for Colorado. 

Another thing that happened in Stillwater, and maybe one of the extremely few examples of this happening, the head coach firing and replacing the entire coaching staff in the offseason. 

Will all of this work for Oklahoma State? We’ll find out over the next five months.

Now, with Big 12 Media Days, I’ve covered OSU football with Triple Play Sports Radio and Robert Allen since 2015, and this is the first time I can remember coach Gundy not sending a quarterback to talk to the media. I agree with the decision of not sending a QB because no one, not even the coaches, know who the starting quarterback is going to be in the fall.

They’re sending tight end Josh Ford, defensive lineman Iman Oates and defensive back Cam Smith. And obviously coach Gundy.

What is something you want to learn from the Cowboys’ appearance on Wednesday? Please comment down in the comment section and let us know.

Something I want to learn is how the 40 transfers have integrated into the system. Or is there such a large number of transfers and new coaches that everyone built a new system.

While it’s going to be a lot of “coach (commissioner)” speak, I’m looking forward to hearing from Brett Yormark on any new changes/improvements are being made to the Big 12 to help bring more money to the member schools. We all know about the $20.5 million the schools are having to come up with to pay athletes, so what can the conference do to bring in more money.

There’s no doubt coach Gundy will be asked who the starting quarterback will be, which won’t get an actual answer. But I’m very much looking forward to hearing how Mike responds to coming off a horrible year. No one’s picking the Cowboys to win very many games with so many new additions on and off the field. So, will we get a lot of coach speak from Mike, or will he give us some actual insight into the goings on? It will be interesting to witness.

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What Can/Will We Learn At Big 12 Media Days?

6,379 Views | 6 Replies | Last: 6 mo ago by thetruth
PistolD
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Talking season reveals nothing. With portal swings every year it will be almost impossible to predict how things will unfold until you see games played and head to head.

After a few seasons of this we should begin to see which programs master the portal and talent acquisition. But that will take a few seasons to see a track record develop and know who is superior at roster building over time.
JPat
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Ask Gundy what the messaging has been during the offseason. Meaning what has he and his staff said to motivate the team to bounce back strong from an 0-9 debacle. I hope he doesn't resort to the same tired old "I don't really do anything. The team self-motivates and natural leaders emerge. The program runs itself."

That would absolutely be the WRONG thing to say. He needs a whistle around his neck and a bark in his voice. Screw the "CEO" junk. We need an old school ball coach. Ask him that.
Joe Khatib
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PistolD said:

Talking season reveals nothing. With portal swings every year it will be almost impossible to predict how things will unfold until you see games played and head to head.

After a few seasons of this we should begin to see which programs master the portal and talent acquisition. But that will take a few seasons to see a track record develop and know who is superior at roster building over time.
A whole lot of Coach Speak from every Head Coach in attendance!!! LOLOL!
eecowboy
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Zach - thank you for asking.

What I'd like to know, or have a better understanding from HCMG, is - what will HE consider a successful season on the heels of last year's debacle.

Will it be a certain number of wins - bowl eligible?? Or, the building of a new identity and culture within this new framework of college football - wins and losses this first year not paramount, but a bridge for next year?

What his barometer of a "successful" season in Stillwater this upcoming season might get my perspective more in line with reality.

Thank you,

Go Cowboys!

Tulsa Booster
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JPat. I agree totally. That cliche crap about, "believe in our culture" , "trust the system" "stand back and watch our culture at work" wont cut it after what we went thru. This is where you show your fans how you earn your money. They want to believe you, but they also want to see some passion from the opening snap that our coach has a plan and that our plan is going to work. Not too much to ask from a coach with your resume.
thetruth
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Given that a majority of the players are new, and their meal ticket is playing well and winning it might have their attention.
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