I was working out in the gym and was reading a story on the future of college athletics by ESPN's Pete Thamel. I have a history with Thamel. Let's say we aren't buddies, but his story I agree with.

If you ask most people involved in major college football they will tell you the Big 12 schedules and decides their champion better than anybody else. What about the future?

Most of the Oklahoma State University athletic department, especially coaches and some administration was at Monday's Cowboys vs. Cancer Golf Classic. Some of the discussion was off fund raising and golf and geared to the big topic in college athletics - NIL.

Oklahoma State will have Chad Weiberg, Mike Gundy, Mike Boynton, and Jacie Hoyt at the Big 12 Conference Spring Meetings. There is much to discuss.

Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg communictated with top Cowboys donors on how the department is moving in these critical times.

Oklahoma State has moving on about the same pace on NIL as Alabama. That can't be bad. Also, Mike Gundy and Nick Saban have talked with each other about NIL. Both are concerned.

Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy has new contract terms that have been approved and makes sure he will finish out his coaching career at his alma mater.

Oklahoma State athletics needed a woman head coach with the department not having one. They've got one now and at first impression they got a dynamo. A woman that believes in being feminine, loves high heels, and winning.

The Supreme Court decision in the case of Alston vs. NCAA set the stage and Oklahoma State will use that to begin the process of competing with NIL monies coming in at other schools.

Jim Littell has nothing to be ashamed of. His program fared well in the rugged Big 12 during his 11-years as head coach. His ouster is a product of the modern politics of the work place and college athletics.

ESPN Plus and senior ESPN writer Adam Rittenberg interviewed Mike Gundy and others in an examination of the future success of the Big 12 Conference in football.

It was 21-years ago this evening (Jan, 27, 6:37 p.m. CT) that Oklahoma State lost 10 men when the plane carrying them home from a Big 12 road basketball game at Colorado crashed in the Flatirons of the state.

Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy says his program has a logo, says they are primed to move up, and must do what it takes. We'll take 7 parts to examine who, what, and how,

The next week or so is critical for Oklahoma State football as some important moves are close to being accomplished.

Knowles is a popular coach right now and the biggest threat to him staying in Stillwater is coming from Ohio State. However, reports are Oklahoma State and Knowles are close.

The opinions are coming in from far and wide, disbelief at Oklahoma State getting the postseason ban thrown at them for seemingly handling everything right in the Lamont Evans wrongdoing and investigation.

Mike Gundy is communicating with his staff and team to move forward past the teams first loss. Meanwhile, communication the last couple of months has led to Gundy being a fixture at OSU for the rest of his coaching career.

Conference realignment rocked the Big 12 as soon as Weiberg and Dr. Kayse Shrum took over. It forged a strong relationship and Weiberg now charts course for OSU athletics.