He's a man, come at him and coming at them they are. For a vocal portion of the Big Blue Nation, the 6-9 record over the last 15 games has been enough to put head coach Mark Stoops firmly on the hot seat. The frustration is understandable. But for any fans who think the situation at Kentucky is dire, just take a look at the absolute freefall happening at Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy.
After decades of consistent success, the Gundy era in Stillwater is imploding in spectacular fashion, making his seat arguably the hottest in all of college football.
A program in a nosedive
The decline has been sharp and steep. After winning 12 games in 2021, the Cowboys have fallen off a cliff. They went a shocking 3-9 in 2024 and have started the 2025 season with a loss that was previously unthinkable. Last night, the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa marched into Stillwater and beat Oklahoma State for the first time since the 1950s on their home field. It was a humiliating loss that signaled just how far the program has fallen. In fact it was Tulsa's first win over Oklahoma State since 1998.
This recent collapse follows years of solid, if not elite, performance. From 2010 to 2017, Gundy’s teams won 10 or more games six different times. Since 2018 though, they have only accomplished that feat twice, with the program now hitting rock bottom.
A buyout that looks like a bargain
The pressure became so intense last year that Gundy did the unthinkable for a modern college coach: he gave up money and restructured his contract. His new deal pays him a more modest salary and, critically, includes a flat-rate buyout. If Oklahoma State fires him within the first three years of the deal, they owe him a manageable $15 million.
In the world of absurd SEC buyouts, that number is a bargain for a Power Five school looking to make a change. While Kentucky fans continue to yell at Mitch Barnhart for the massive figure attached to Mark Stoops' contract, the power brokers in Stillwater are likely already counting the cash needed to end the Gundy era. The pressure in Lexington is real, but the money makes Mike Gundy hot seat numero uno in college football.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoyes downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion