Oklahoma State’s Top Coaching Candidates After Mike Gundy’s Departure

After 21 seasons, Mike Gundy’s time as head coach at Oklahoma State is over. The former Cowboys quarterback, who started this season on the hot seat, saw things unravel after a crushing 69-3 loss to Oregon and then a defeat by Tulsa.

Oklahoma State now has to look ahead. Several strong candidates with local ties and solid resumes have already popped up as possible replacements.

Let’s take a look at the top contenders for the head coaching job and what each one might bring.

Top Head Coaching Candidates for Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State is eyeing a handful of experienced head coaches who’ve left their mark at their current schools. Here’s who’s leading the pack right now:

Jeff Traylor – UTSA

Jeff Traylor, currently heading up UTSA, has pulled off a remarkable turnaround there. He’s posted a 48-22 record and hasn’t had a losing season yet—a far cry from the five losing seasons in six years before he arrived.

Traylor’s got serious respect among Texas high school coaches and really knows how to spot talent. Just look at his recruitment of Robert Henry Jr., the nation’s top rusher this year.

He turned down Texas Tech before, but a Big 12 job might be hard to pass up now. Read more about Jeff Traylor’s potential move.

Eric Morris – North Texas

Eric Morris, North Texas’s head coach, has a knack for finding talent early. He pushed for Baker Mayfield at Washington State and developed Cam Ward at Incarnate Word, who later became a No. 1 draft pick.

Morris has North Texas off to a 4-0 start this year, with big wins over Washington State and Army. Over seven seasons, he’s put up a 39-32 record, making him a pretty intriguing option for Oklahoma State. Learn more about Eric Morris’s coaching journey.

GJ Kinne – Texas State

GJ Kinne, just 36 years old, is already turning heads as a head coach. He’s got a 31-13 record, including a standout 12-2 year at Incarnate Word.

At Texas State, Kinne kept up the momentum with back-to-back 8-5 seasons and now has the team sitting at 3-1. His recent win over Traylor’s UTSA squad only boosts his case. Explore GJ Kinne’s coaching achievements.

Alex Golesh – South Florida

Alex Golesh, South Florida’s head coach, actually started his college coaching journey as a grad assistant at Oklahoma State in 2008. He’s breathed new life into USF, going 17-13 and winning bowl games in his first two seasons.

Golesh’s warp-speed offense, shaped by mentors like Matt Campbell and Josh Heupel, has been a big part of USF’s rise. The Bulls are 3-1 right now, with wins over Boise State and Florida. Read more about Alex Golesh’s coaching style.

Potential Coordinator Candidates

If Oklahoma State decides to look at coordinators instead of head coaches, a few interesting names stand out:

Will Stein – Oregon Offensive Coordinator

Will Stein’s offense absolutely torched Oklahoma State for 69 points and over 600 yards earlier this season. His system averaged 10.2 yards per play in that game, which is just wild.

Stein has coached at Texas, UTSA, and Lake Travis High School in Austin, so he knows the region well. Discover more about Will Stein’s offensive strategies.

Ben Arbuckle – Oklahoma Offensive Coordinator

Ben Arbuckle, not even 31 yet, has already built a reputation as a sharp offensive mind. He followed QB John Mateer from Washington State to Oklahoma, and together they’ve boosted the Sooners’ offense.

Arbuckle just seems to create explosive offenses wherever he goes. Learn more about Ben Arbuckle’s coaching impact.

Shannon Dawson – Miami Offensive Coordinator

Shannon Dawson has played a key role in Miami’s resurgence, leading the nation in yards per play last year. He’s worked at Houston and tends to be picky about his next move, which honestly is smart.