It’s still hard to believe that Oklahoma State parted ways with head coach Mike Gundy this season. Gundy had led the Cowboys since 2005, guiding the program to 18 straight bowl appearances from 2006 to 2023 and posting double-digit wins in eight seasons.
Despite all of his success, Oklahoma State decided it was time for a change. With the 2025 season winding down, the program is now closing in on candidates to take over in Stillwater. Here’s a look at the five leading contenders for the Cowboys’ job opening.
Alex Golesh: USF Head Coach
There are plenty of job openings in college football at the moment, and USF head coach Alex Golesh has been linked to nearly all of them.
Golesh has done a fantastic job in his three seasons with the Bulls, and he’s off to his best start in 2025. The team sits at 7-3 through three games, with USF’s offense ranking 33rd in the country this season according to PFSN’s CFB OFFi metric, while the defense ranks 64th nationally in PFSN’s CFB DEFi metric.
Golesh would be a great fit for Oklahoma State, and he has previous ties to the program, having served as a graduate assistant for the Cowboys in 2008. He’s proven he can win at the Group of Six level as a head coach and has experience as a coordinator at the Power Four level with Tennessee. He would step in and help stabilize Oklahoma State immediately.
Collin Klein: Texas A&M Offensive Coordinator
Collin Klein is one of the fastest-rising names in coaching circles. He was a star quarterback at Kansas State from 2008 to 2012 and quickly joined the Wildcats’ staff as a GA after his playing career.
In 2024, he became Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator and has done a fantastic job with the Aggies in 2025, with the team’s offense ranking 21st in the country this season according to PFSN’s CFB Offense metric.
While Klein doesn’t have any head coaching experience or ties to Oklahoma State, the Cowboys’ offense has been the weak point of the team in the last few seasons, and he could inject some life and energy into the program that’s been missing.
Eric Morris: North Texas Head Coach
Eric Morris has built North Texas into one of the top Group of Six programs in the country in just three seasons and should be a popular name in several head coach searches this offseason.
Morris has made the Green Wave a powerhouse in 2025, leading them to a 9-1 start. North Texas’ offense ranks 23rd in the country this season according to PFSN’s CFB OFFi metric, while the defense ranks 73rd nationally in PFSN’s CFB DEFi metric.
Geographically, Morris is already familiar with the recruiting area Oklahoma State would need to cover, and like Klein, he could help rejuvenate the Cowboys’ offense. He also brings the potential bonus of taking quarterback Drew Mestemaker with him to his next stop, which should make him even more appealing to Oklahoma State.
Zac Robinson: Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coordinator
On paper, Zac Robinson makes the most sense to become Oklahoma State’s next head coach. He played quarterback for the Cowboys from 2005 to 2009 and has deep ties to the program.
In terms of coaching prowess, Robinson has extensive NFL experience, starting as a quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay in 2019.
He’s served as the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and has done a solid job, with the team’s offense ranking 14th in the NFL this year according to PFSN’s OFFi metric.
The problem with hiring Robinson is timing, as by the time Oklahoma State hires its head coach, he will still be in the regular season with the Falcons. If the Cowboys can find a workaround to the scheduling issue, Robinson would likely be the program’s top choice.
Dana Holgorsen: Nebraska Offensive Coordinator
Dana Holgorsen has by far the most experience on this list, having coached college football since 1993. He has experience as both an offensive coordinator, a role he held at Oklahoma State in 2010, and as a head coach at both West Virginia and Houston.
Holgorsen’s latest stop is Nebraska, where he currently serves as the team’s offensive coordinator. He’s done a solid job with the Cornhuskers in 2025, with their offense ranking 27th in the country this season according to PFSN’s CFB Offense metric.
Given Holgorsen’s past ties to Oklahoma State and his proven track record as both a head coach and coordinator, it makes sense for the Cowboys to target him in their coaching search. He would be a strong fit for the program.
