Eric Bailey
Tulsa World OSU Sports Reporter
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Daniel Shular
Tulsa World Photojournalist
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STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy spent the 15th anniversary of his infamous rant doing a similar task: Protecting his players.
In 2007, the coach went viral when he screamed “Come after me. I’m a man! I’m 40!” while sticking up for a player in a press conference.
Exactly 15 years later, the 58-year-old had a Monday afternoon message for OSU fans upset with the team’s current state.
“Well, I would cheer like heck for them, and if you want to be angry at coach Gundy, then you can do whatever you want that makes you feel better, but don’t do it to the team,” said Gundy, aiming to shield his players and coaches from scorn. “Because I think that’s what’s best for Oklahoma State football, Oklahoma State’s athletic department, Oklahoma State University in general.”
There was no raised volume of his voice, no sneers or anger. His words were said matter-of-factly, unlike the 43-year-old version of himself.
Gundy’s not naive. His future is a heavy topic of conversation among supporters. He’s on the hotseat and the team is a bull’s-eye for criticism.
That’s what happens when the program appears to be crumbling after losing 11 of its past 12 games, including a 19-12 setback against visiting Tulsa.
Gundy’s legacy is cemented after having 18 winning seasons in the past two decades. But the last two years are, fair or unfair, weighing things down.
Gundy said he’s received many text messages: “You don’t need this” and “What are you doing?” are two popular lines.
He has an answer for this question: Why are you doing this?
“It’s still fun for me,” Gundy said.
He is maintaining tunnel vision toward Saturday’s game against Baylor.
Social media is a beast. ESPN’s College GameDay even mentioned Gundy’s situation, hinting at possible movement.
Have any OSU players asked him about his status? Did he address the team about chatter circling his role?
“I haven’t had a player come to me and asked me any of that. I don’t address things. I’m under contract here for, I think, three-and-a-half years,” Gundy said. “When I was hired to take this job, ever since that day I’ve put my heart and soul into this and I will continue to do that until I say I don’t want to do it or someone else says we won’t want you to do it.”
He admitted the days after wins (an 8:30 a.m. trip to the office) are much more satisfying than his routine after a loss (a 5 a.m. check-in).
“I’m trying to figure out why and what happened and get a good plan because I have 150 people in the building waiting for me to give them a response and an answer,” Gundy said. “That’s the way I was raised, and that’s what was instilled in me, and that’s what I believe in. I understand the fans want to win. I think that’s great … The crowd was awesome last game. I wish we could have played better for them. I wish we could have coached better for them.
“But … it’s not about me. It’s about the team and about the organization and that’s the way I see it. And it will always be that way.”
Gundy was asked about his OSU future, why he does what he does and his overall passion, for about 30 minutes on Monday.
On the 31st minute, one query wrapped up the topic: Is it fair to say that you have no interest in this season being your last season?
“One-hundred percent,” Gundy said with a smile. “That’s a good question. I like that question.”
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com
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Eric Bailey
Tulsa World OSU Sports Reporter
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Daniel Shular
Tulsa World Photojournalist
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