Four head-coaching candidates for Oklahoma State after firing Mike Gundy

Ryan Silverfield

Ryan Silverfield’s Memphis Tigers are 4-0 and are one of the hottest Group of Six teams at the moment. They just knocked off Arkansas and are looking to make a push for the College Football Playoff.

Silverfield would bring more experience to OSU than other candidates as the 45-year-old has coached at a wide range of colleges, as well as the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. However, the glaring reason for this possibility stems from Memphis’ attempt to join the Big 12.

The Tigers offered a hefty amount of cash to the Big 12 during the offseason in an endeavor to become the seventeenth member. Silverfield said he was proud of the school’s big ambitions, but if he has ever wanted to coach in a Power Four conference, this is his golden opportunity.

Ben Arbuckle

While the Bedlam rivalry has lain dormant for two years, Oklahoma State has the chance to steal from its longtime rival: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.

Arbuckle saw success at Western Kentucky and Washington State before arriving in Norman, Oklahoma. He’s helped lead the Sooners to an undefeated start in 2025, and his quarterback, John Mateer, was a Heisman Trophy front-runner before suffering an injury. Arbuckle’s offensive schemes and ability to confuse defenses make him stand out from the rest, and it will be the reason why the Pokes will have Arbuckle on their radar.

Doug Meacham

Doug Meacham, the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys, has been named the interim head coach for the time being. However, there’s a real chance he drops the “interim” title moving forward.

Meacham, 60, is a veteran and has seen plenty of success. He played a key role in TCU’s dominant offense throughout the 2024 campaign and ventured up to Stillwater alongside former Horned Frogs quarterback Hauss Hejny. The redshirt freshman showed a few flashes of talent before suffering a foot injury in Week 1.

Upon Hejny’s expected return later this season, it will be interesting to see if Meacham can get the offense rolling. If so, his role may become permanent.