Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy Told His Players to ‘Stop Asking for Money’

It’s no secret college programs have to pay in order to land top players in the NIL era. But even though he’s aware of what it takes to compete at a high level, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy doesn’t have time for any of that right now.

Gundy actually told his players to stop asking for money, at least until after the upcoming season is over. In fact, Gundy admitted to the media that he instructed his players to “stop asking for money” and to focus on the season during a recent team meeting.

“I told the players there’s no negotiating now,” said Gundy. “Portal’s over. All negotiation’s history. Now we’re playing football. Just coaching and playing football.”

"Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking for more money. It's nonnegotiable now. It'll start again in December… Now, we're able to direct ourselves just to Football, and that part has been fun."

Mike Gundy is happy the season is underway. pic.twitter.com/JbGXQEmSKA

— Cayden McFarland (@caydenmc) August 15, 2024

Gundy wants his team worrying about nothing other than getting ready for the Cowboys’ season opener on Aug. 31 at home against South Dakota State.

“The business side of what we do now is, we have to have those conversations with them,” he added. “Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking for more money. It’s non-negotiable now. Start again in December.”

As usual, Gundy’s team is entering the season with high hopes of contending nationally. Oklahoma State is ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press’ preseason rankings.

The return of Ollie Gordon (likely fueled by another payday) is why many believe OSU can win the Big 12 championship and reach the College Football Playoff. Gordon won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back for the 2023 season and is considered the favorite to be the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.

Gordon is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,732 yards and scored 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Gordon’s best performance came at the hands of West Virginia, racking up 282 yards on 29 carries with four touchdowns in a 48-34 comeback win over the Mountaineers. As long as his legal troubles don’t become a distraction, Gordon should be poised for another monster year.

On a superstate note, WVU wide receiver Jaden Bray, who transferred to West Virginia from Oklahoma State, declined to answer a direct question asking him the differences in playing for Mike Gundy and Neal Brown. Bray literally responded by asking if it’s okay for him to give a “no comment” answer to that question.