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Gundy contract is quick work
The OSU head coach signs a seven-year deal on Dec. 5 that took 10 minutes to finalize.

STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 12/18/2008  2:36 AM
Last Modified: 12/18/2008  2:50 AM

 STILLWATER — Last month, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder approached football coach Mike Gundy about the possibility of having Gundy sign a new contract.

There was no involvement of agents or mediators. A contract negotiation can evolve into a protracted media circus and the central figures can become adversaries, but Holder and Gundy — armed only with a legal pad and a felt-tip pen — say they reached an agreement in only 10 minutes.

On Dec. 5, it was announced that Gundy had accepted the terms of a seven-year, $15.7 million deal, making him the highest-paid coach in OSU history. His average pay will be more than $2.2 million a year. This year, he was paid $1,053,000.

"To a certain extent, my wife and I would prefer that what we earn would not be out there in the public's eye, but that's not going to happen," Gundy said during a press conference Wednesday. "We were glad to get it worked out. We think it was fair on both sides, and we wanted to move on."

The contract takes effect on Jan. 1. The specific amount of Gundy's 2009 compensation will not be known until January, when details of the contract are released by the university. The deal extends through the 2015 season.

Holder would not divulge the amount of the buyout — the amount of money owed to OSU if Gundy were to take a different job.

Gundy was asked whether the deal was resolved quickly in response to the possibility that other schools seeking a head coach — perhaps a Clemson, perhaps a Tennessee — might show interest in speaking with him.

"I don't think that really is something we have to talk about," Gundy replied.

In his fourth year as the head man, Gundy directed the 13th-ranked Cowboys to a 9-3 regular season. In November, OSU climbed to its highest ranking — No. 7 in the Associated Press poll — since 1985. On Dec. 30, OSU faces 15th-ranked Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.

"This is more than a job to (Gundy)," Holder said. "He understands the challenges here and the difficulty of winning at a high level at Oklahoma State. He's not shying away from that."

The quick contract resolution, Holder added, "happened because this is the job he wants."

OSU football under Gundy



OSU has improved every year of Mike Gundy’s tenure, from four wins in 2005 to nine wins this year with the Holiday Bowl yet to play.

A LOOK AT THE PROGRESSION:

2005
4-7

Upset No. 13
Texas Tech

BIG 12
1-7

2006
7-6

Independence Bowl champions, No. 16 in total offense

BIG 12
3-5

2007
7-6

Insight Bowl champions, No. 7 in total offense

BIG 12
4-4

2008
9-3

First nine-win regular season since 2003, achieved highest AP ranking (No. 7) since 1985.

BIG 12
5-3

Big 12 salaries



OSU coach Mike Gundy recently agreed to the terms of a new seven-year contract worth $15.7 million. How his $2.2 million annual average compares to the 2008 salaries of other Big 12 football coaches:

Mack Brown, Texas ................................... $2.9 million
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma............................. $2.8 million
Mark Mangino, Kansas................................$2 million
Gary Pinkel, Missouri...............................$1.85 million
Mike Sherman, Texas A&M..................... $1.8 million
Art Briles, Baylor....................................... $1.8 million*
Mike Leach, Texas Tech...........................$1.75 million
Bo Pelini, Nebraska...................................... $1.1 million
Gene Chizik, Iowa State......................... $1.05 million
Dan Hawkins, Colorado..............................$904,800
Ron Prince, Kansas State............................ $758,000

* (A private university, Baylor is not obligated to release its employees’ compensation figures. Various media outlets have reported Briles’ pay to be $1.8 million.)



Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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19 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
Report Comment Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 

 
Report Comment
Meaux, (12/18/2008 9:03:27 AM)
Good for Mike and OSU! Hopefully he's learned something about when it's the right call to go for two. NEVER... unless the game is on the line. Certainly not on your opening drive in the second half!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 10:22:11 AM)
I like his play calling. He can go for two or call time out whenever he wants.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!
Report Comment
Gary H, Bird Island (12/18/2008 10:56:12 AM)
You're both idiots! It was the right call at the time, one point wouldn't have made any difference and what happened doesn't usually happen. GO POKES!!!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 11:01:46 AM)
Ah but the timeout cost you points too. Sooner....not an idiot.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Gary H, Bird Island (12/18/2008 11:06:50 AM)
The timeout at the end of the game was to get some seldom used Seniors into their last game.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 11:17:23 AM)
Thanks for the clarification. Didn't know you were on the sidelines.

Guess our seldom used seniors that came in the game were faster than yours.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Gary H, Bird Island (12/18/2008 11:47:08 AM)
That last touchdown was made by DeMarco Murray (sp?) the "starting" running back for ou. Now run along and enjoy the rest of your life.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 11:49:59 AM)
That took you long enough to look up Gary.

Packing for Florida. Enjoy your holiday.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 11:57:03 AM)
Sorry...in my haste to pack for Florida I forgot to tell you to update your facts. It was Chris Brown and NOT Murray that scored the final touchdown. Our starters were celebrating and watching our backups play.

Now you run along Gary.
Report Comment
Gary H, Bird Island (12/18/2008 11:59:44 AM)
I'll be sure and thank you for that correction the next time I stop by an Arby's.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 12:03:50 PM)
Good one.
Report Comment
Stogdiddy, Broken Arrow (12/18/2008 12:12:39 PM)
"Ah but the timeout cost you points too" Are you saying that during the time out, OSU's coaching staff told the players to "not tackle Chris Brown."?

The time-out didn't cost the points; poor (or non-existant) tackling and generelly bad defense cost us those points, genius.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 1:49:35 PM)
The time out made OU run another play.Otherwise the game was over, as we would have let the time expire.
Report Comment
OutPickMyNose, (12/18/2008 2:33:47 PM)
Your backup's were in Arby? Bradford is a backup on your team? You must have a dang good team for Bradford to be a backup playing on the final drive in the fourth quarter. Also, Brown sure does play alot during the game to be considered a backup. And, another thing, congrats on the back-door Big 12 title. The only thing you have in your sad, sorry life is OU football.

Sorry, was all of that information too much for you? You don't sound like you know much about OU football.

Sad.
Report Comment
Stogdiddy, Broken Arrow (12/18/2008 2:38:41 PM)
Thanks for the clarification. Didn't know you were on the sidelines.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/18/2008 2:42:38 PM)
Kinda got you all wired huh?
Report Comment
OutPickMyNose, (12/18/2008 3:27:18 PM)
I would say more annoyed. Sorry I spouted off, but come on man, at least have an idea about what your discussing.

Thats all I am saying.
Report Comment
MexiMike, tulsa (12/18/2008 4:53:47 PM)
It would seem the roast beef sandwich gets his jollies from commenting on articles that have nothing to do with his own school. It's sad that he seeks this attention. Not enough hugs as a kid. Or maybe too many from his uncle...
Report Comment
Scritchner, Tulsa (12/18/2008 5:56:54 PM)
I hope for Arbythree's sake OU doesn't get trounced b/c I'll never let him forget it.

No one's wired. We've gotten used to people being dolts about OU. By the way I hope you're able to stop by and visit the OU campus sometime as I highly doubt you actually attended it.

Peace out. Make your response with the knowledge that I will not be checking for it.
 

 
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