The Mike Gundy era at Oklahoma State has come to an end. Gundy was three games into his 21st season in Stillwater, but after a dismal 1-2 start, Cowboys’ higher-ups deemed it was time for a change, firing the head coach on September 23.
Of course, the question now becomes who will replace the fiery longtime coach? Like with any coaching search, there will be plenty of names to surface. One name that stands out, and happens to be a former player of Gundy’s, is Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
“Robinson is a fast-rising coach in NFL circles,” CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer wrote. “He’s part of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay’s coaching tree, having spent five seasons on McVay’s staff in various capacities. Now, he’s calling plays for an offense in Atlanta.
“The former Cowboy QB who would be a popular pick for some in the booster class in Stillwater,” “One caveat: He’s never coached in college. Another caveat: Would he be willing to leave his NFL fast track to spark his alma mater?”
Leaving the NFL for college isn’t as popular now, even for assistants like Robinson, because of the lack of structure at that level. Another factor is how Robinson, 38, would feel about replacing his former head coach.
Mike Gundy Will Be Difficult to Replace at Oklahoma State
Mike Gundy was Oklahoma State football. He may have begun his head coaching career in 2005, but he was a Cowboy long before that, playing from 1986 to 1989. A year after, he joined the coaching staff, working with wide receivers, quarterbacks and eventually becoming offensive coordinator before taking the main job. He was 170-90 overall and 12-6 in bowl games.
Mike Gundy spent more than half his life (35 of 58 years at OSU as a player, assistant or head coach),” On3’s Brett McMurphy wrote. “Before Gundy, OSU had 4 winning seasons in 16 years. Gundy had 18 straight winning seasons, 9th longest in NCAA history for a coach at 1 school. Good ride Cowboy, good ride.”
Hard times eventually fell on Gundy and the program as the college football landscape shifted. Despite eight double-digit win seasons and 10 top-25 finishes — including one just two years ago — the Cowboys had a disastrous 2024 season, finishing 3-9.
Now, sitting at 1-2 and outscored by opponents 95-42, the writing was on the wall for the former “I’m a man, I’m 40” coach.
Would Falcons’ Zac Robinson Be a Good Fit for Oklahoma State?
Zac Robinson’s coaching career is really just getting underway. He began in 2019 with the Rams, where he spent five years before joining Raheem Morris’ staff in 2024 as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator.
Robinson looks to still be figuring things out. The Falcons offense had mixed success under Robinson in 2024, ranking sixth in total offense and 13th in scoring. But Atlanta is struggling through the early part of the 2025 season. They’re 13th in total offense and 31st in scoring, averaging just 14 points a game with only three offensive touchdowns.
Atlanta especially looked terrible in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, losing 30-0. Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was benched late in the game. Looking to make changes, Morris announced afterward that Robinson would be moving from the coaches’ box down to the field.
Who knows where this could lead for Robinson, but it might encourage him to give the Oklahoma State job a look if he’s indeed a real candidate.