**Oklahoma State's Football Program Faces Drastic Changes Amidst Decline**

The Oklahoma State Cowboys, once well-positioned to dominate the revamped Big 12, have seen their 2024 season unravel in a shocking manner. Head Coach Mike Gundy, leading his alma mater since 2005, is now facing the harsh reality of a program in free fall. Despite having no intentions of retirement, Gundy will need to oversee significant changes to revive the team.

Things began promisingly for Oklahoma State, with a 3-0 start that included wins over South Dakota State and Arkansas. The team appeared strong, armed with seasoned players, including Heisman Trophy candidate running back Ollie Gordon and an experienced offensive line averaging 24 years in age. Additionally, their defense, under the leadership of second-year coordinator Bryan Nardo, promised improvements with ten returning starters.

However, Oklahoma State’s performance quickly took a nosedive. They ended the season on a nine-game losing streak, culminating in a devastating 52-0 loss to Colorado—their worst defeat since Gundy took charge.

The defense emerged as the primary concern. Despite retaining most of their 2023 lineup, the Cowboys ranked 131st nationally in yards allowed per play. Their defensive struggles were exacerbated by injuries, including a season-ending injury to their standout player, Collin Oliver, in Week 2. Nardo’s unit failed to make significant strides, consistently faltering in run defense and pass coverage.

Offensively, the Cowboys struggled despite having Gordon and a supposedly top-tier offensive line. Gordon’s role often seemed overlooked, receiving more than 15 carries in only three Big 12 games. Meanwhile, the offensive line, highly praised before the season, failed to deliver in the rushing game while performing reasonably well in pass-blocking.

Quarterback Alan Bowman, a super senior, battled turnover issues and continued to struggle with deep throws. The Cowboys’ decision to not acquire a more capable starting quarterback from the transfer portal, despite Bowman’s known limitations, proved costly.

Rumors of Gundy’s potential retirement have been circulating, but the coach has firmly denied any plans to step down. Given his substantial $25 million buyout and his standing in Stillwater, his dismissal seems unlikely. What is expected, however, is a comprehensive overhaul of his coaching staff. Assistant coaches, many of whom have long tenures with Gundy, are anticipated to depart. Particularly, the hires of Nardo and offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn, who have not met performance expectations, are under scrutiny.

As Oklahoma State looks towards future seasons, many of their current stars will be graduating, while others, like Gordon, are likely to explore opportunities in the NFL. Gundy faces the challenge of rebuilding the team amidst these significant transitions.