Introduction to Oklahoma State’s New Head Football Coach Search
Oklahoma State is in search of a new head football coach for the first time in over two decades. The university fired head coach Mike Gundy on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the university. This decision comes just days after Oklahoma State lost to Tulsa for the first time in 27 years. After 18 straight winning seasons, the Cowboys have been trending in the wrong direction for the last year. Oklahoma State needs a new leader to right the ship.
The Need for a New Coach
The team’s performance has been declining, and a change in leadership is necessary to get the team back on track. The new coach will need to have a strong offensive mind and be able to recruit top talent to the area. Oklahoma State has a rich football tradition, and the new coach will need to be able to live up to the expectations of the fans and the university.
Potential Candidates for the Job
Here are seven candidates who could replace Gundy as Oklahoma State’s new head football coach. These candidates have a mix of experience, success, and familiarity with the region that makes them strong contenders for the job.
Eric Morris, North Texas Head Coach
Morris has built a reputation for having a strong offensive mind as one of the up-and-coming names in the profession. His Mean Green are off to a 4-0 start and have put up impressive numbers each week, averaging 44.8 points per game.
Texas State head coach GJ Kinne gets sprayed with water in front of defensive tackle Tavian Coleman (8) after beating North Texas in the First Responder Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Dallas.
LM Otero / AP
He knows how to bring life back to a program, launching Incarnate Word into an FCS power during his time in San Antonio. Plus, as a native Texan, he should have no trouble recruiting an area that’s been critical for Oklahoma State over the years.
GJ Kinne, Texas State Head Coach
At just 36 years old, Kinne has become one of the fastest-rising young head coaches in the sport. Kinne won eight games in each of his first two seasons at Texas State and has a 19-11 record as a head coach thus far.
He’s expected to get a power conference job soon, and it would make geographical sense as Kinne is a Texas native. He also played college football at Tulsa, so he’s quite familiar with the Sooner State.
Collin Klein, Texas A&M Offensive Coordinator
If Oklahoma State is open to a first-time head coach, Klein should be in the mix. The 36-year-old is on track to become a head coach soon, currently coaching a top-25 Aggies offense.
While he’s spent the last few seasons in the SEC, Klein is familiar with the Big 12. He was a Heisman finalist at Kansas State before starting his coaching career at his alma mater. However, many wonder whether he’ll wait for the K-State job to open up.
Will Stein, Oregon Offensive Coordinator
Stein is a hot name in most coaching searches, as Oregon’s offenses have ranked in the top 20 nationally in each of the last three seasons. His Ducks dropped 69 points on Oklahoma State on Sept. 6, so what he can do is not too distant in the Cowboys’ memories.
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson before coaching against the Las Vegas Raiders in an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. Falcons defeated the Raiders 15-9.
Jeff Lewis / AP
He also has experience in the region, spending time at Texas, UTSA and Austin Lake Travis high school.
Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coordinator
Robinson will be a popular pick among Cowboys fans to return to his alma mater where he played quarterback under Gundy before being drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft.
He’s on the rise as an NFL coach and could provide a boost in Stillwater. However, he’s never coached college before, and it’s uncertain whether he’s willing to leave the NFL.
Oklahoma state let’s make Zac Robinson the head coach!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 23, 2025
Jeff Traylor, UTSA Head Coach
Traylor has been on the radar for job openings for years since leading UTSA to consecutive Conference USA titles in 2021 and 2022. He was in the running for the Texas A&M opening back in 2023.
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