Oklahoma State Cowboys: Real Challengers in the Big 12

Mike Gundy is the head coach for four years in a row. Oklahoma Cowboys have their home stadium as the Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater.

The retirement of Bob Simons as coach in 2001 lead to the enlisting of services of two people to act as trainer through Les Miles and Mike Gundy. Les Miles became the head coach while Mike Gundy assumed the position of an offensive coordinator. Through Miles' leadership, the Cowboys etched a 4-7 record in their first year. The cowboys remained underdogs as they fought against Oklahoma Sooners who then had a great reputation as the reigning national champion. With the magical coaching of Les Miles, the Cowboys smashed the Sooners in 2002 competition. Right after this victorious turnaround, Miles managed a regular seasonal record of 7-5. It wasn't long enough when the Cowboys reenacted their demolition game and beat Sooners the second time around. The Cowboys, who used to be the league's underdogs, won an amazing three straight bowl games. The Cowboys were yet to savor their victory fully when Les Miles left for the LSU job in 2004.

As Les Miles made the exit, Mike Gundy took his head coach position for the Cowboys. Gundy is the 22nd head coach of the team. His first season was not as remarkable as that of Miles. During his tenure, eleven players were expelled. Moreover, the Cowboys managed to have only one win in the Big 12 conference games leaving their record down to 4-7. Back in the next season, the Cowboys pulled up their socks and finished the season with an overwhelming 7-6 record. Climbing once more to the ladder of triumph, the Cowboys who still work under Gundy beat Alabama Crimson Tide in the Independence Bowl and finished off Indiana Hoosiers in the Insight Bowl. This impressive performance made Gundy extend his contract until 2013 following a record of 9-3 in 2008 season. This great job was compensated by a contract extension up to 2015 making Gundy as valuable as 15.7 million dollars.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are now geared towards their performance with their home stadium undergoing expansion and renovations. It is expected to be completed before their home game against the Georgia for the season opener in 2009.