Gundy tells media in Dallas he is staying at OSU
Published: 12/6/2012 8:51 PM
Last Modified: 12/6/2012 10:30 PM
Mike Gundy at least temporarily has ruled out the possibility of his taking another head-coaching job.
“Gundy says he ‘absolutely’ intends to return to Oklahoma State for 2013 season,” Dallas Morning News reporter Chuck Carlton tweeted Thursday night.
Gundy was in Dallas for a function tied to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, his first public appearance since reportedly being offered jobs at Arkansas and Tennessee.
"The only thing I’m going to say is (the negotiations) haven’t gone as deep as what people say,” Gundy told media Thursday night, according to the Dallas Morning News.
" … In our profession, if you do good, people are going to contact you. If you don’t, you’re going to get fired."
The Arkansas position was filled by Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema on Tuesday. While Tennessee hasn’t announced who will replace Derek Dooley, any speculation that Gundy might leave for Knoxville died down Wednesday.
But on Thursday afternoon, multiple media outlets in Tennessee reported the Vols went back to Gundy with a stronger offer after other prospective coaches also turned them down.
Although Gundy received an eight-year, $25.525 million contract after last season, differences in opinion with athletic director Mike Holder were presumed to cause friction in their relationship and possibly play a role in Gundy talking to other schools.
"He and I don’t agree on everything, but it’s a lot better than what people say,” Gundy told the Dallas Morning News.
Before Thursday night, no one from OSU had officially commented on the situation. Holder also was in attendance at the Dallas event and was asked about his head coach being pursued.
"I think it's a high-class problem,” Holder said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “ ... I hope to be dealing with it for a long time in the future."
Written by
Kelly Hines
Sports Writer
