Mike Gundy details his relationships with fellow Big 12 coaches

As the Big 12 prepares to transition into a new era, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy stands among the longest-tenured coaches in the league. Gundy has been the head man at his alma mater since the 2005 season, and is preparing to enter his 20th year at the helm.

In that time, he has seen the departure and return of Colorado, as well the his long time rival Oklahoma opting to leave for the SEC and several other comings and goings of schools. Speaking on the Always College Football podcast on ESPN, the Cowboys coach revealed his involvement in discussions with other coaches in the conference.

“One thing that’s good amongst the Big 12 conference is we’ve always had a good relationship amongst coaches,” Gundy said. “You hear a lot of things in leagues across the country about coaches not being involved, but all of us get along. Coach (Chris) Klieman and I have become good friends. Lance (Leipold) and I at Kansas, of course (TCU coach) Sonny Dykes and I. We’ve drank a lot of beer together and other places. I’m looking forward to getting to know coach Prime (Deion Sanders).”

Of the teams that the Big 12 is set to add in 2024, Utah perhaps draws the most striking comparison to Oklahoma State. The Utes made back-to-back Pac-12 title games in 2021 and 2022 and coach Kyle Whittingham is tied with Gundy as the second-longest tenured coach in college football.

Despite this, Mike Gundy admitted he hasn’t interacted with Whittingham too much thus far, but added he would like that to change. He still slyly acknowledged to taking inspiration from the Utes head man.

“I really haven’t crossed paths with coach Whittingham because, obviously, they were more on the West Coast,” he said. “But I’ve followed the program and at times have stole ideas from them because, I’ve always looked for school that play better than they should based on what their history is with draftable players in their organization. So well all get along. Coach Aranda and I have a good relationship. So we look forward to those meetings and hopefully that can help build the strength of this conference.”

Whittingham is 162-79 in his career at Utah. Gundy is 166-79 and has not had a losing season since his very first year. It will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1945.