After voluntarily surrendering part of his salary the past two years due to a budget crunch caused by the Chinese cororona virus, Oklahoma State is rewarding football coach Mike Gundy for his success and loyalty.
OSU said Gundy is receiving an increase in annual compensation of $1 million. Gundy will also receive an annual retention bonus of $1 million over each of the next five years. The changes will increase his compensation to $7.5 million for the 2022 calendar year.
Other terms of his existing contract, including the $125,000 annual escalator and the annual one-year extension, will remain in place. The contract was approved by the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents at their meeting in Stillwater.
“Mike Gundy has been a transformational head coach for Oklahoma State,” said OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg. “In the ultra-competitive environment of college football, OSU has been one of the most consistently competitive programs in the country.
“Under his leadership, OSU Football has accomplished things others never thought possible in Stillwater. He has had a lasting impact on our football program, and our athletic department. The accomplishments of his student-athletes off the field rival those on the scoreboard.”
Under Gundy, Oklahoma State is the 10th winningest program in America since 2010. OSU has participated in 16 straight bowl games, including five New Year’s Six Bowl games since the 2009 season. He has led Oklahoma State to seven 10-win seasons since 2010, trailing only Nick Saban of Alabama and Dabo Swinney of Clemson, who accomplished the feat 12 and 11 times, respectively. Gundy is a two-time Big 12 coach of the year and was the 2011 national coach of the year.
“There is an unprecedented change occurring in college athletics. Investing in our successful football program at this time is an investment in the future of OSU Athletics and the continued growth of Oklahoma State University,” Weiberg said. “The growing national prominence of our football program not only impacts all of OSU Athletics, it has a tremendous impact on the entire OSU community, the City of Stillwater and the state of Oklahoma. The media exposure alone during our run to the Fiesta Bowl victory was worth approximately $60 million to Oklahoma State University.”
The Cowboys tied a school record with 12 wins in 2021, including a Big 12-best 8-1 conference record, appeared in the Big 12 championship game for the first time, and claimed a victory over No. 5 Notre Dame in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. OSU was seventh in the final Associated Press poll of the season, its best season since finishing third in the final ballot in 2011.
“I’ve spent a majority of my life in Stillwater,” Gundy said. “Oklahoma State is home. This next-level commitment from our president, Dr. Kayse Shrum, Athletic Director Chad Weiberg, and our Board of Regents is a monumental step in solidifying Cowboy Football for the future as a national brand. “I’m thankful for Chad, our relationship, and the support and loyalty he’s shown not only to me, but to our assistant coaches, support staff, student-athletes, former players, fans and everyone involved with OSU Football. The Cowboy Culture has never been stronger.
“We’ve already established OSU Football as a contender on the national stage. My excitement with our administration and their vision has me looking forward to long-term success on and off the field.”
OSU has had seven academic All-Americans since 2016, fourth among all Football Bowl Subdivision schools (130 universities). Nearly 400 Cowboys have earned their degrees during the Gundy era and Oklahoma State set a Big 12 record in 2020 with 28 first-team academic all-conference selections and a school record 43 total selections.
Meanwhile, Gundy is busy in spring drills trying to get his team in shape for the 2022 campaign.
“They’re doing well, they practice hard,” Gundy said. “We’ve been very fortunate. We don’t have issues. Our guys like to play and they practice well. Our team chemistry seems to be good at this point. We’ll know more in August. It’s too early, but they practice hard, but hopefully we can keep everybody healthy and get quality reps over the next four weeks.”
This is the first spring at OSU for new Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason.
“I like his enthusiasm, you can see it right now,” Gundy said. “I think he’s very vocal, and the players like him and migrate toward him. I was hoping his experience as a head coach and as a long-time coordinator would work to our advantage and I think that’s happening.”
So far, the players like what they see.
“I know we have a lot to work on, but things are just now getting to roll as fast as they should be,” said OSU safety Jason Taylor II. “We have a lot to work on and we’re headed in the right direction.”
OSU had a defensive secondary group that had played together for many years but the change could be good.
“It’s a brand new feel. We had played together for many years before last year, but this year we are already moving way farther than I thought we’d be.”
“The young guys are coming a long great,” said Cowboy Back Graden Cassity. Quinton Stewart has gotten a few snaps, not a whole bunch, but he is definitely moving in the right direction. He’s picking up stuff a lot better than he did last year, just learning the game more every day. Having Tabry (Shettron) in the room now is a great thing. He’s coming along well and learning the playbook a lot faster than I did. I’m excited for the room.”
OSU has a veteran quarterback but must replace some key receivers lost to graduation.
“Spring has been really good,” said Brennan Presley. “We have a bunch of older guys stepping up since the seniors left, and we have a bunch of new guys stepping in from the freshmen that have come early. It’s been really cool to see the older guys giving to the younger guys and them learning what it means to be an OSU Cowboy.
“Some would say the leadership role is in full effect right now with me being an older guy, which is kind of weird since a couple years ago I was the youngest guy and most inexperienced guy. I’ve just been trying to teach the younger guys what I know because at the end of the day we’re all a team and you want everyone to succeed and everyone to get better. So, whatever I can do give down to help anybody, that’s what I’m going to do.”