To Compete With the SEC, Mike Gundy Turns to the SEC

Since spring practice began in Stillwater, Mike Gundy has quietly reshaped his staff to mirror the SEC’s recruiting muscle.

When asked about the shift this week, Gundy admitted he’s noticed how SEC programs gain traction long before pads go on. He said he heard “rumors how SEC teams succeeded in recruiting,” and responded by adding six assistants with SEC ties to his staff.

The message is clear: Oklahoma State is adapting to a changing landscape in college football. Gundy, known for maximizing under-the-radar talent, acknowledged that the Cowboys must evolve their approach at every level.

The new hires bring experience navigating the SEC’s deep recruiting pipelines and NIL marketplaces, areas where OSU has often lagged.

Gundy emphasized this is not a wholesale departure from tradition, but rather an infusion of fresh perspective. He praised his holdover assistants while explaining that these SEC veterans will lead targeted outreach in talent-rich regions. Their role will be to cultivate relationships with top-tier high school prospects and transfer portal athletes who might otherwise bypass Stillwater.

This pivot also signals Gundy’s understanding that the Big 12’s next chapter demands more aggressive recruitment. Gundy believes this strategic staff augmentation gives the Cowboys a better shot at national relevance, even if it means altering some long-standing priorities.

Fans can expect to see the new staff in action this cycle and beyond, as recruiting ramps up and fall camp approaches. Whether this blend of SEC insight and Gundy’s established systems pays dividends on the field and in the portal will define the next phase of Cowboys football.