It’s been just over a month since Oklahoma State and former head coach, Mike Gundy, parted ways. Oklahoma State and athletic director, Chad Weiberg, decided to call it quits with Gundy after a 1-2 start, including a 69-3 drubbing versus Oregon and a 19-12 loss, at home, against the University of Tulsa. Mike Gundy first became the head coach of Oklahoma State in 2005, taking over for former head coach, Les Miles, who then took the head coaching job at LSU. Mike Gundy’s career at Oklahoma State is filled with multiple highs and very few lows.

In his 21 seasons as head coach of the Cowboys, Gundy posted a 170-90 record, 12 bowl wins, a Big 12 Conference title in 2011, two Big 12 Title game appearances, was named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times and was awarded the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 2011.

And though Oklahoma State fans recognize Gundy’s importance to the university and to the program, his ability to vault the Cowboys to a handful of 10 win seasons, and most enjoyed the flair he brought to the sidelines, it is time for new blood in Stillwater. Oklahoma State and the term “coaching search” are far from synonymous, though, athletic director, Chad Weiberg, now finds himself at the precipice of the first coaching search in over twenty years.

Below you’ll find a “Hot Board” of who could man the tightest sidelines in college football for the Pokes in 2026.

1. Zac Robinson – Current Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coordinator and former Oklahoma State quarterback (2005-2009)

Listen, if you’re an Oklahoma State fan and reading this, you expected Zac to be number one on this list. There’s good reason to believe it may become reality. Like Gundy, Robinson is a well-loved, accomplished Oklahoma State quarterback, who has previously expressed interest in returning to Stillwater. Millennials remember the Zac Robinson to Dez Bryant connection and Robinson would gain immediate donor approval and support from OK State’s ‘Loyal & True’. If Zac is ready to jump ship from the NFL and life in the ATL, he’ll be Oklahoma State’s next head coach.

2. G.J. Kinne – Current Texas State Head Coach

Is G.J. Kinne the college football equivalent of Los Angeles Rams head coach, Sean McVay? Oklahoma State has Texas pipelines and, to add, does it bode well that Kinne is a former Tulsa Golden Hurricane QB? At 36 years old, Kinne is quickly becoming a favorite for many head coach openings. Boasting back-to-back 8 win seasons for the Texas State Bobcats, Kinne has San Marcos, TX rocking with lively young energy. That kind of energy could be used to revitalize an Oklahoma State program looking for an aggressive young ‘go-getter’ with something to prove. While Robinson is the odds-on favorite, Kinne is my personal pick for the next guy in Stilly. Could the Pokes lure him away from Texas Hill Country? I hope so.

3. Alex Golesh – Current University of South Florida Head Coach

Golesh is a relatively new name to the Oklahoma State coaching search rumor mill. The USF Bulls are currently ranked 18 th nationally and boast a 6-1 record. The Bulls only loss comes from a nationally ranked Miami team, while they have wins over Florida and Boise State. Is Golesh a flash in the pan or is he someone who can build back this Oklahoma State program? The USF Bulls are a team to watch for Oklahoma State fans for the rest of the college football year.

4. Jim Knowles – Current Penn State Defensive Coordinator and former Oklahoma State Defensive Coordinator

What more can I say about Jim Knowles? He lead an Oklahoma State defense that was top ten nationally in 2021. He beat OU and can claim one of the best Oklahoma State defense to ever be fielded. Knowles then left for greener pastures, taking the DC job at Ohio State and winning a national championship. Knowles then leaves for Penn State and, within two years, he’s without head coach James Franklin. Penn State could hire a coach who no longer wants Knowles on the staff. Knowles commands a pretty penny, but for an Oklahoma State defense who is bottom barrel, it might be worth the penny Oklahoma State needs to spend.

5. Jon Sumrall – Current Tulane Head Coach

Sumrall, like G.J. Kinne, is on the younger age coaching spectrum, being just 43 years of age. For such a young coaching age, Sumrall has had an impressive run. Don’t believe me? See three straight conference titles runs (winning two). Vegas has him at +1200, but I can see Jon Sumrall being a Weiberg hire. Weiberg has recently hired Oklahoma State Men’s Basketball Coach, Steve Lutz, who is making waves on the recruiting trail, and Jacie Hoyt, Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball Coach, who has the Pokes NCAA Women's Basketball team pre-season ranked. Sumrall screams typical Weiburg hire. Jon Sumrall sits as my #5 most likely hire, but don’t be surprised if he’s that dude in 2026 for Oklahoma State. I’m eager to say “I told you so.”

Honorary Mention: James Franklin, former Penn State Head Coach

This is the biggest coaching carousel for head coaching movement in a long time. While I’m not completely removing the possibility of Franklin coming to Stillwater, it seems like he will be an SEC coach for the likes of Auburn or Florida. Sorry, orange Franklin truthers.