In a dramatic turn of events at Big 12 Media Days, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's attempt to downplay star running back Ollie Gordon II's arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence backfired, causing a wave of criticism. While Gordon handled the questions professionally, Gundy's remarks stirred controversy and highlighted the need for a thorough evaluation of his approach to handling such situations.

Gordon, the 2023 Doak Walker Award winner, fulfilled his obligations at the media event by arriving on time and answering questions without complaint. Reporters briefly discussed Gordon's recent arrest, but quickly shifted focus. Gundy had hoped that Gordon's appearance would help put the incident behind them.

However, Gundy's comments during an ESPN+ broadcast set interview raised eyebrows. He seemed to trivialize Gordon's conduct, comparing it to having "two or three beers" and failing to acknowledge that open containers were allegedly found in the car. Gundy even joked that Gordon's punishment would be carrying the ball 50 times in the first game. These remarks prompted backlash, as they appeared to downplay the seriousness of driving under the influence.

The timing of Gundy's statements also added to the controversy, coming just days after three former college football players lost their lives in an accident involving an alleged drunk driver. Some felt that Gundy's remarks were tone-deaf given the recent tragedy.

Gundy's history of controversial moments was also brought into the spotlight. While he was once celebrated for defending a benched quarterback in a fiery rant in 2007, it later emerged that the player felt the rant was staged and ultimately left the team. Gundy's recent inappropriate choice of wearing a t-shirt from a far-right news outlet also attracted criticism from his own players, who threatened to sit out.

As Gundy enters his 20th season as head coach, he finds himself in a position of increased attention and scrutiny as one of the prominent faces of the Big 12. However, his handling of Gordon's arrest has raised concerns about his ability to adjudicate such matters within his program. If Gundy is to represent the conference, serious evaluation of his approach will be necessary.

In a late attempt at damage control, Gundy sent out his first tweet in four months to clarify his comments. He asserted that his point was to highlight that "we are all guilty of making bad decisions" without referencing anything specific.

Ultimately, the consequences of how Gundy addressed Gordon's arrest may not be significant in terms of on-field punishment, as DUIs in college athletics rarely result in severe repercussions. However, Gordon himself appeared genuinely remorseful during media days, and those close to the Oklahoma State program expressed confidence that he had learned from his mistake.

While Gundy's intention was to allow Gordon to address the issue and move forward, his own comments only served to prolong the incident and draw attention away from what should have been a promising upcoming season for the talented running back. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how Gundy's controversial remarks will impact the perception of the Oklahoma State program and his own standing within the Big 12.