Mike Gundy apologizes after 'failure' comments about critics

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy has apologized for comments made during a call with reporters this week. He offered a strong response to his critics, calling them “the same failure they were before” they say something negative about others.

Gundy and the Cowboys faced high expectations entering this season, but things haven’t gone as planned. Oklahoma State enters Week 10 on a six-game losing streak and still without a victory in conference play.

That’s led to some vocal displeasure from the fan base, and Gundy made his thoughts clear earlier this week. However, Tuesday night, he apologized for the remarks.

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— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) November 6, 2024

“I apologize to those who my comments during Monday’s media call offended,” Gundy wrote. “My intent was not to offend any of our fans who have supported us and this program through the years.”

Injuries have been an issue for Oklahoma State this year, but one of the biggest question marks has been Ollie Gordon’s performance. Last year’s Doak Walker Award winner as the nation’s top running back, he’s averaging 65.9 rushing yards through nine games – a stark contrast to last year’s 123.7 yards on the ground.

While fans ask for a solution, Mike Gundy made his thoughts clear on the criticism the program is facing. He called out the people offering the criticism, saying “they’re the same failure they were before they said anything negative about anybody else.”

“This place has had tremendous success for 18-and-a-half years,” Gundy said. “Unfortunately in life, most people are weak and as soon as things start to not go as good as they thought, they fall apart and they panic. Then they want to point the finger and blame other people. You see it happen in every day life. That’s why I refuse to watch the TV and watch the news because I get tired of people complaining and bitching about this and that versus just doing something about it and trying to figure out a way to make it better. That’s what happens in college athletics.

“In most cases when people are negative and voice their opinion, they’re the same ones that can’t pay their own bills. They’re not taking care of themselves. They’re not taking care of their own family. They’re not taking care of their own job that they have an obligation to speak out and complain about others because it makes them feel better. Then in the end when they go to bed at night, they’re the same failure they were before they said anything negative about anybody else.”