Where Does Oklahoma State Rank Among Coaching Vacancies?

The Oklahoma State head coaching vacancy is beginning to draw national attention, and early feedback on where it ranks in this year’s carousel paints a clear picture. According to reporting from On3’s Pete Nakos, industry sources view the Cowboys’ job as a middle-tier opening compared to other available positions across the country.

“It’s behind Arkansas and Virginia Tech and ahead of UCLA and Stanford. It’s right in the middle,” a source told On3. “We’re talking a few years ago, playing for a conference championship. There is a path to win there.”

That framing highlights the unique status of Oklahoma State. This is not a job being dismissed as a rebuild, nor is it one being placed among the most coveted in the country. Instead, it falls somewhere in between, a program with enough recent success to remind candidates of what is possible, but also with hurdles that must be addressed by the next head coach.

The selling points are straightforward. Oklahoma State has demonstrated its ability to compete for conference championships, and the program boasts resources, fan support, and facilities that rank well nationally. The 2021 run to the Big 12 title game, when the Cowboys came a single yard short of lifting the trophy, remains a prime example of the ceiling in Stillwater. For prospective candidates, the opportunity to step in and build on that recent history is tangible.

At the same time, the challenges are not insignificant. Oklahoma State is stepping into a new era without Mike Gundy at the helm for the first time in nearly two decades, and that change brings uncertainty. Roster management will be an immediate priority, with the transfer portal already shifting the depth chart. Recruiting to Stillwater has never been easy, and the next staff will need to prove quickly that it can establish relationships and pipelines to keep the program stocked with talent.

Still, the consensus among industry voices is that Oklahoma State is a job where winning remains possible. The program’s infrastructure is in place, the fan base is hungry for success, and the foundation has not eroded despite recent instability. For the right coach, this is an opportunity to step into a program with realistic pathways to contend again, even if the national perception places the job in the middle of the pack.

The Cowboys’ search is still in its early stages, but the way Oklahoma State is viewed across the sport could play a pivotal role in who ultimately takes the job. It is not the flashiest opening, but it is one with substance, history, and a proven path to meaningful victories.