Latest news with #MikeGundy
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football Coaches In Agreement On What'll End The Chaos
College Football Coaches In Agreement On What'll End The Chaos originally appeared on The Spun. They say change is the only constant and that's definitely the case in college football right now. With athletes now able to receive payments for their name, image and likeness (including direct compensation from schools) and little to no limitations in the transfer portal, coaches like Deion Sanders have called for the installation of a division-wide salary cap. Advertisement But some have argued that even more needs to be done than that — and that would be unionizing the players that suit up for these universities and hiring a commissioner to collectively bargain like the rest of the major professional sports leagues. That's something that Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy acknowledged to over the weekend. Saying, "College needs to build that type of system so we don't have the same four, five or six schools that pay the most money at the end of the season in the playoffs." "You gotta restructure the system and you gotta admit that the players are employees. Then you can build a collective bargaining, like we've all talked about. You can do it all. You need an entry salary cap for a high school player coming in because it's not sustainable." Advertisement A spending cap and enforceable contracts would seemingly go a long way in nullifying some of the current growing pains CFB is going through. And it would also make it easier for players to make decisions on the whole like in the case of NIL opportunities such as the licensing of college sports video games. STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 2: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys encourages the fans before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 2, 2024 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Arizona State won 42-21. (Photo by)Organizing a players union would also likely have far-reaching effects in terms of practice rules and offseason training guidelines — and skew the balance of power more towards the middle (at least in theory). There's certainly a compelling argument to be made that high-level college athletes are (and have been) employees. Now it's just a matter of how long it'll take before they're viewed as them congressionally. Advertisement Related: NFL Fans React To Browns Decision On Quarterback Room College Football Coaches In Agreement On What'll End The Chaos first appeared on The Spun on Jul 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
13-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC Sports
College coaches seem to be realizing that a union will cure the chaos
Colorado coach Deion Sanders recently argued for a salary cap in college football. That's half the story. The other half is this — there can't be a salary cap without an antitrust exemption. And there's two ways to get one. First, beg Congress for it. Two, have a nationwide union of college football players. We've been arguing for months that college football should embrace a union. By creating a multi-employer bargaining unit, the schools would acquire the ability to impose rules that would apply among various distinct and independent businesses. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy recently went there, acknowledging that the players should be dubbed 'employees' (because they are), with collective bargaining aimed at removing the chaos becoming the next step. It's smart, because it's the right solution. The NCAA and its members don't need the federal government to clean up a mess that resulted from decades of corruption that denied players the ability to make money. The universities should be responsible for finding the solution, and the best solution is a nationwide union and Collective Bargaining Agreement. Salary cap? Check. Transfer rules? Check. Real, enforceable players contracts? Check. Chaos largely resolved — but for the practical inability to police or limit true NIL payments. So why aren't more coaches clamoring for this? They don't want what will go along with getting the things they want. First and foremost, a union will take a close look at practice rules, limiting the ability of college coaches to basically beat the shit out of their players without oversight or consequence. Padded practices, all the time. Double sessions in high heat and humidity. Former players, deep into their 20s, coming back and suiting up against teenagers. Currently, there are few if any limitations on the mandatory work. Then there's the voluntary stuff, which seemingly keeps the players running and lifting and borderline puking throughout the offseason, with few breaks. With a union, those things will change. Players will have rights. They'll have power. And the Nicktators of the college football world do not want the players to have the ability to push back against the men who have basically become kings and emperors of the colleges that employ them. Basically, the college coaches want it both ways. Rules to apply to the players. No rules to apply to the coaches. The coaches may need to sacrifice their unlimited power over their teams, in order to bring some balance to the post-corruption chaos of college football.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Comment From Mike Gundy Could Signal a New Era in College Football
This Comment From Mike Gundy Could Signal a New Era in College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mike Gundy is never shy about speaking his mind, and at this year's Big 12 Media Days, the Oklahoma State head coach may have just dropped one of the more telling quotes about where college football is headed. Advertisement 'You've got to admit the players are employees,' Gundy said during a conversation with On3's Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman. 'Then you can build collective bargaining. We've all talked about it. But you have to admit they're employees.' That might sound bold, but it reflects the drastic changes that have occurred in the NIL era. Just a few years ago, players couldn't earn a dime from their name, image, or likeness. Now, top recruits are commanding six- and even seven-figure deals before they've played a single down of college football. In 2025, Oklahoma State finished outside the top 50 in 247Sports' team recruiting rankings with 22 commitments and no players rated above three stars. Advertisement The impact of NIL has been massive. Recruiting battles now often involve donor-backed collectives, and the programs with the deepest pockets are winning more than just games. Gundy wants to see that trend balanced out. 'College needs to instigate and to build that type of system,' he added, 'so we don't have the same 4, 5, 6 that pay the most money at the end of the season in the playoffs.' Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy© NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In other words, he's not just calling for recognition of reality, he's calling for structure. When asked how that might actually take shape, Gundy said plainly, 'You need (a salary cap) and you need an entry salary cap. An entry-level (salary cap) for a high school player coming in because it's not sustainable.' Advertisement Love him or not, Gundy's comments echo a growing concern across the sport. If college football is going to embrace the business side, it may be time to act like a business and establish some ground rules. Related: Julian Lewis Didn't Expect Deion Sanders To Put Kaidon Salter in the Quarterback Mix Related: Unexpected School Ranks No. 1 on SEC's Toughest Stadiums List This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Big 12 media days live updates: Deion Sanders, Colorado headline Day 2 action
Big 12 media days continues with Day 2 of interviews on Wednesday, July 9, with the second half of the league making appearances. Colorado, Oklahoma State, Kansas, West Virginia, Houston, TCU, Arizona and Utah coaches and players will participate in the media event at The Star in Frisco, Texas, after Arizona State, Iowa State, BYU, Cincinnati, UCF, Baylor, Texas Tech and Kansas State conducted interviews on Day 1. One notable storyline from Day 2 is the return of Rich Rodrigues to West Virginia. The Mountaineers coach left what was a perennial BCS bowl contender after the 2007 college football season and has since seen varying levels of success at Michigan, Arizona and Jacksonville State — though none of it as prevalent as his first stint in Morgantown. Still, Colorado's Deion Sanders has proven to be a can't-miss interview in his first two years in Colorado, and that's likely to be true on Day 2 of the Big 12 media days. That's especially with the Buffaloes replacing quarterback Shedeur Sanders and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, both of whom were drafted to the NFL in April. USA TODAY Sports is bringing live updates and highlights from the final day of the Big 12 media event. Follow along: Big 12 media days live updates This section will be updated throughout Day 2 of the Big 12 media days. Oklahoma State QB situation still in competition Mike Gundy says Oklahoma State is still figuring out its starting quarterback for 2025, whether it's Zane Flores or Hauss Hejny, who transferred from TCU in the offseason. Neither quarterback have taken a snap for the Cowboys. Gundy also said Oklahoma State has 35 new players, 18 of which via the transfer portal. Cam Smith says Oklahoma State has chip on shoulder Oklahoma State defensive back Cam Smith says the Cowboys are being overlooked after their 3-9 finish last season. No Oklahoma State players appeared on the preseason All-Big 12 team. "I feel like we are, as a team playing with a chip on our shoulder," he said. "I feel like everybody is kind of overlooking Oklahoma State based on our season we had last year. We kind of don't want to focus on the media too much, just kind of focus on what we got going on." Mike Gundy reacts to video game depiction Coach names and likenesses were added to EA Sports' "College Football 26" video game this year, and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, the longest-tenured Big 12 coach, had quite the reaction when showed his persona. "That for sure says I have a full head of hair," Gundy said. "They got me all muscled up, I'm not that muscled up." Willie Fritz with high praise for Conner Weigman Houston coach Willie Fritz expects new quarterback Conner Weigman to be one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season after transferring from Texas A&M. "I think he can be a top quarterback in the Big 12," Fritz said via ESPN. "I think Conner is really excited for this fresh start." Fritz also said the former five-star quarterback was clocked at 21 mph this offseason. Colorado's pair of new QBs in the building Projected starter Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty, and blue-chip freshman Julian Lewis, are both at The Star in Frisco for Big 12 media days. Here's the duo checking in: Big 12 partners with WWE The Big 12 announced a partnership with WWE on Wednesday, July 9, which brings Friday Night Smackdown events to conference markets in 2025. Here is the full list of dates for Friday Night Smackdown events in Big 12 cities this season: Big 12 media days schedule, lineup Here's the full lineup of participants for Day 2 of Big 12 media days, which is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Arizona Colorado Houston Kansas Oklahoma State TCU Utah West Virginia Big 12 media days recap Here are the highlights from Day 1 of Big 12 media days, which took place on Tuesday, July 8: What channel are Big 12 media days on? Both days of the event will air live on ESPNU, with portions of the event partially airing on ESPN2, as well. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV provider login) and ESPN+, which requires a subscription. Another option is Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial. Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oklahoma State Football: 2025 Cowboys Season Preview and Prediction
Oklahoma State Football: 2025 Cowboys Season Preview and Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports. No team in America may be more reliant on striking gold through the transfer portal than the Cowboys, who could finish with 40 newcomers — or more. Oh, and the coaching staff is new, too, with Mike Gundy cleaning house following last year's 3-9 finish that included an 0-9 mark in the Big 12. Gundy's had a habit of bouncing back, but never has a major rebound seemed so daunting. Advertisement [Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 College Football Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.] More Big 12 team previews: Arizona | Arizona State | Baylor | BYU | Cincinnati Colorado | Houston | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State TCU | Texas Tech | UCF | Utah | West Virginia Oklahoma State 2025 Season Preview and Prediction Previewing Oklahoma State's Offense for 2025 A crowded and tight quarterback competition thinned following spring practices, downshifting from four to two and leaving Hauss Hejny and Zane Flores to battle for the job in the fall. Advertisement On the bright side, both are viewed as strong candidates to lead the Cowboys to a rebound following the worst season of Mike Gundy's 20-year career. The down side: neither has attempted a pass at the college level. Flores, who took a medical redshirt a year ago, arrived as a promising prospect from Nebraska and is the more polished passer of the two. Hejny, more of a dual threat, transferred from TCU, where he worked with current Cowboys offensive coordinator Doug Meacham. The development of one — or both — seems mandatory for an offense that returns little proven firepower and stands heavily reliant on transfer portal additions. Only one regular contributor returns on offense — tight end Josh Ford, who caught 10 passes for 92 yards as a true freshman. Running backs Rodney Fields Jr. and Trent Howland lead an intriguing group that added transfers in Kalib Hicks from Oklahoma and Freddie Brock from Georgia State. The receiving corps took a major hit when Talyn Shettron suffered a torn ACL in the spring. The offensive line won't feature a player who has ever started a game for the Cowboys. Advertisement Related: Ranking the Big 12 Coaches for 2025 Oklahoma State RB Rodney Fields Jr. | Nathan J. Fish-Imagn ImagesNathan J. Fish-Imagn Images Previewing Oklahoma State's Defense for 2025 The defense sits in slightly better shape identifying key players, with three returning regulars, led by cornerback Cam Smith who easily leads the team with 29 starts. Safety Dylan Smith and tackle Iman Oates also return, providing some stability to a unit that is also leaning into transfers to provide significant upgrades. Linebacker Bryan McCoy was a key portal addition from Akron, where he posted 120 tackles on his way to second-team All-MAC recognition. The secondary could emerge as a strength, with safeties Cameron Epps and David Kabongo joining Smith after playing key roles late in 2024. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy | Nathan J. Fish-Imagn ImagesNathan J. Fish-Imagn Images Previewing Oklahoma State's Specialists for 2025 Logan Ward made 12-of-17 field-goal tries and 34-of-35 PATs a year ago and also handles kickoff duties. Punter Wes Pahl also returns after averaging 46.4 yards per punt. Auburn transfer Sam Jackson V offers an explosive element in the return game, dazzling in the spring. National Ranking: 68 More Big 12 team previews: Arizona | Arizona State | Baylor | BYU | Cincinnati Colorado | Houston | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State TCU | Texas Tech | UCF | Utah | West Virginia Advertisement Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025 Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
