After a week’s worth of speculation, and, coincidentally enough, all the big-time vacancies filled again, you can apparently stop dialing the coaching digits associated with Mike Gundy.
Amidst rumors that had connected the current Oklahoma State head coach with future employment opportunities, both Gundy and his employer have remained largely -- and eerily -- silent. The only real sound out of Stillwater this week as the speculation ebbed and flowed? A radio personality who co-authored a book with Gundy stating that the coach “is staying at Oklahoma State” and won’t “pursue any other opportunities and decided to stay.”
Thursday evening, the silence was broken in a way positive for those who would like to see Gundy’s employment at the school to continue.
While acknowledging that other schools had indeed sniffed around his coaching vicinity, Gundy, per Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News, stated that he will “absolutely” return as the Cowboys’ head coach in 2013. "[N]o question, no question,” Gundy added when asked about remaining at OSU next season.
And for rumors that had him all but hired at Arkansas, or any other conversations with various programs that have been tossed around?
“The only thing I’m going to say is they haven’t gone as deep as what people say,” Gundy said.
Gundy made his comments at a media gathering for the Cowboys’ appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Even as there still may be issues in the head coach/athletic director relationship -- “it’s a lot better than what people say” -- it appears that Gundy and the OSU athletic department have decided to reach a peace accord. At least as far as 2013 is concerned.