Examining details of players' frustration
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has found himself in tumultuous times, mostly of his own doing.
Over the past three months, Gundy's unharnessed atti - tude, his absence as a leader for the OSU football program, and his disconnection from the social and personal needs of his players have led the coach to a perilous point in his tenure.
Details emerged in a report by Yahoo Sports on Tuesday that explained parts of the players' frustration. From
Gundy's lack of communication to the players being told their stipends and summer classes were being cut, the tension between the head coach and his team grew over the spring.
Some school officials and significant program boosters have become increasingly displeased with Gundy's behavior as OSU's most prominent public figure. But his contract buyout, which totals nearly $17 million, has provided the coach a safety net.
“There have been a lot of teach able moments for me here recently,” Gundy said in a statement to Yahoo Sports when asked about his lack of relationships with his players.
“When the players said they felt I was disconnected, it broke my heart. Hearing that led me to look at myself and acknowledge that it's probably true. I've spent a lot of time listening and learning lately, and now I feel better about moving forward in developing deeper relationships with my players. That's what they told me they wanted and that's now a top priority for me.”
Players were told in late April that their summer stipends, which pay about $1,200 a month according to the Yahoo story, were being withheld because of the financial crunch of the coronavirus pandemic. Without summer school in session, some players would have been in eligible for Pell Grants, which can be worth up to $3,000.
Players eventually received their stipends after returning to campus in early June.
However, as t he chaotic spring unfolded with players dispersed to their homes because of the pandemic, Gun dy' s communication with them was minimal to nonexistent.
Tension and frustration built amid a group of players who felt their needs weren't being considered — all while they saw other college coaches publicly advocating for their players.
Yahoo reported an ongoing point of contention for players was their belief that Gundy didn' t know many of their names. He often refers to players by their jersey number in press conferences.
Frustration boiled over when the now-infamous photo of Gundy wearing a One America News Network T-shirt surfaced last week. Star running back C hub a Hubbard threatened a boycott, and teammates flooded to support him.
Gundy held meetings with players to try to understand what caused such a dust- up. Gundy and Hubbard issued apology videos, and players returned to workouts.
But Gundy didn't get himself entirely out of the woods with those who could hold his future in their hands. While his big contract buyout provides protection, Gundy's job remains in a tenuous spot.
With the financial struggles of the pandemic hitting OSU like everyone else, paying nearly $ 17 million in a buyout would be a virtually impossible pill to swallow. Finding just cause in Gundy's actions would be a tricky path as well, and still cost OSU $2 million.
An OSU source told The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel that the school's initial investigation into player treatment had revealed little to no racial turbulence.
If OSU decision- makers were to seek cause for firing Gundy, here's the clause in his contract most likely to come into play:
Item 9 of Article 5.03(a): Conduct Affecting University. Participating in any conduct, committing any act, or becoming involved in any situation, occurrence, or activity that brings Employee into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule or that reflects unfavorably on the reputation or the high moral or ethical standards of University.
Gundy's status aside, the OSU athletic department heard the athletes' calls for change and on Wednesday launched its Council for Diversity and Inclusion, which will be headed by Dr. Jason F.
Kirksey, the university's vice president for institutional diversity and chief diversity officer. The newly formed council will be a permanent entity in OSU athletics and consists of a cross-section of individuals from the OSU campus, OSU athletics, current student-athletes and alumni.
“We are grateful that Dr. Kirksey has agreed to lead our efforts moving forward ,” OSU deputy athletic director Chad Wei berg said .“The athletic department could make a lot of promises and declarations about what we will be doing, but our future actions will speak for us. Under Dr. Kirksey's leadership, we will be very intentional in our efforts, but our driving goal will be to get better.”