Mike Gundy and No. 18 Oklahoma State have had a pretty good 2023.
Despite a rocky 2-2 start to the year that included a loss to South Alabama, Gundy and the Cowboys finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, and have a date with No. 7 Texas on Saturday in the Big 12 championship.
On Wednesday, Gundy was rewarded for his work this season by being named Big 12 Coach of the Year. It's the second time he's won the award in three seasons, as voted by his fellow coaches within the conference.
While Gundy has no doubt had a great year, his counterpart at Texas, coach Steve Sarkisian, has also had a pretty stellar 2023. The Longhorns are 11-1 on the year, and delivered one of the stunners of the season with a win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
One reason Sarkisian might have been snubbed for the award is the fact that Texas is departing the Big 12 for the SEC next season—a move that other Big 12 coaches might not appreciate that much.
Across social media, reporters and fans alike made jokes insinuating as much.
Mike Gundy is Big 12 Coach of the Year. There's your lovely league parting gift, Steve Sarkisian.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 29, 2023
Mike Gundy, whose 9-3 team lost a game 33-7 to South Alabama and 45-3 to UCF, has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 29, 2023
As opposed to 11-1 Steve Sarkisian.
Who votes on this? Other Big 12 coaches.
Bon voyage, Texas.
UCF defeated Oklahoma State, 45-3
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 29, 2023
South Alabama defeated Oklahoma State, 33-7
However, Mike Gundy has is the Big 12's Coach of the Year over Steve Sarkisian after an 11-1 season, a road win at Alabama, and having his team ranked 7th by the playoff committee?
Okay, Big 12 ... https://t.co/wYLNUMZPxJ
The other Big 12 coaches sticking it to Texas by saving them $50k on a Sarkisian contract incentive. Checkmate https://t.co/juR5I9O7Le
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 29, 2023
That said, there were others that believed Gundy earned the award fair and square, arguing that the Oklahoma State coach did more with less.
Sark made it with the best roster, not impressive. Gundy made it when projected to finish almost last, that’s impressive. https://t.co/49ONCLzQRE
— Matt Hutson (@matt_hutson99) November 29, 2023
What a turnaround.
— OkStProbs (@OKSTProbs) November 29, 2023
- Got gutted by the portal
- Snagged a (7-2) conference record
- Developed the best RB in the country
- Has the best record against ranked opponents in the country
- Took his team to the conference championship game
Hats off to Coach Gundy🍻 https://t.co/hpw6BIVNKw
Regardless of where fans stand on Gundy's win, his Cowboys and Sarkisian's Longhorns will have the chance to settle things for good on the field come Saturday.
