#Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy suggested $1 million pay cut after review

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy agreed to take a $1 million pay cut and amend his contract following a two-week internal review of the football program triggered by controversial incidents, OSU athletic director Mike Holder announced Friday.

Holder also said Gundy’s contract length was shortened from five to four years, while his buyout was cut from $5 million to $4 million, and his guarantee dropped from 75 percent to 50.

“The changes were offered up by Mike Gundy, and I commend him for that. It was his idea to take a million-dollar pay cut,” Holder said. “I think it really demonstrates his commitment to being a better coach. He wanted to make a statement that assured all the players that this wasn’t just about talk, this is more about action, and that’s the first step.

“I want to emphasize, every one of those was offered up by Mike Gundy.”

The internal review was put into place after Cowboys running back Chuba Hubbard called attention to a photo of Gundy wearing an OAN (One America News) T-shirt on social media.

Gundy, 52, later apologized for the “pain and discomfort” he caused his players and others, calling himself a “dumbass.”

Former NFLer Alfred Williams also claimed Gundy directed a racial slur at him during a college football game between Oklahoma State and Colorado back in 1989. Williams told The Oklahoman last month that he doesn’t want Gundy — who was the quarterback for Oklahoma State in 1989 — to be fired but he does want to see “some growth.”

Holder said he spoke to “20” or more OSU players, but not Williams.

“That was 31 years ago. That was resolved at that time,” Holder said. “I think everyone’s moved forward since then. Mike Gundy addressed it, denied it and moved on. I think the actions of Mike Gundy since he’s been our head coach are more important than what happened 31 years ago.”

It was decided that Gundy, who has been head coach of Oklahoma State since 2005 and part of the coaching staff since 2001, needs “to invest more time in building stronger relationships with his student-athletes.”

“This wasn’t about a T-shirt,” Holder said. “This was about a lot of things. The missing link has been a more personal relationship with their head coach. They respect him as an excellent game-day coach, but they want more coaching on a personal level. This crosses all racial lines. To a man, our players want a better connection to Mike Gundy. They view him as a difference-maker, and they want him to help them grow as leaders.”

Holder described Gundy as “humble, remorseful and committed to change.” He also made a point to commend OSU players for shedding light on the issue.

“I think it’s just reconfirmed and emphasized in his mind that he needs to be very guarded in what he does publicly. Everywhere he goes he’s a very public representative of our university,” Holder said. “What he wears, whatever he says, it’s his responsibility to represent us in a way that unites rather than divides. Things are going to be a lot less controversial going forward.”