“Humble and repentant” Mike Gundy agreed to take a $ 1 million pay cut and modify his contract after a two-week review of the soccer program, Oklahoma State Athletic Director Mike Holder said Friday.
“The changes were offered by Mike Gundy and I congratulate them on that. It was their idea to take a million dollar cut in wages,” Holder said. “I think it really shows his commitment to being a better coach. I wanted to make a statement that would reassure all players that it was not just about talking but about acting, and that is the first step.”
In addition to the pay cut, Holder said the length of the contract was reduced from five to four years, his purchase was reduced from $ 5 million to $ 4 million, and his guarantee was reduced from 75 percent to 50 percent.
“I want to emphasize that Mike Gundy offered each of them,” Holder said.
The criticism, by Holder and assistant athletic director Chad Weiberg, was prompted by criticism of Gundy after Cowboys running back Chuba Hubbard criticized him for wearing an OAN (One America News) shirt in a photo that appeared. on social media.
One America News is a far-right news network that is often cited by President Donald Trump and has tried to position itself as a venue for a pro-Trump audience that believes that other conservative media outlets have become too mainstream in their reports. He has criticized the Black Lives Matter movement.
Gundy apologized for the “pain and discomfort” it caused his players and others, and promised positive changes to his soccer program.
Also, Alfred Williams, a former star linebacker in Colorado, told The Oklahoman last month that he wanted an apology from Gundy after renewing an accusation that the Pokes coach called him the N-word in 1989, when Gundy was a quarterback. at OSU. Williams told the newspaper that he does not want Gundy fired but that he wants to see “some growth.”
Holder said he spoke to “20, maybe more” OSU players, but did not speak to Williams.
“That was 31 years ago. That was resolved at the time,” Holder said. “I think everyone has come a long way since then. Mike Gundy tackled it, denied it and moved on. I think Mike Gundy’s actions since he has been our head coach are more important than what happened 31 years ago.”
But in speaking with current and former OSU players, Holder said a common theme came up.
“It was not a T-shirt,” Holder said. “It was about a lot of things. The missing link has been a more personal relationship with his head coach. They respect him as an excellent coach on game day, but they want more training on a personal level. This crosses all racial lines. A Man, our players want a better connection to Mike Gundy. They see him as a difference maker and they want him to help them grow as leaders. “
He said Gundy was “humble, repentant and committed to change,” after hearing the comments.
“As uncomfortable as the past two weeks have been, I think this experience has changed Mike Gundy and our players will be the beneficiaries,” Holder said.
Holder said the players should be praised for raising the issue.
“All players should be commended for having the courage to speak up,” he said. “We need more of that in society, not less. That doesn’t mean that players are in control.”
The result of the review and the contribution of the players has been positive, in Holder’s opinion. He said he believes Gundy, who has been open and controversial at times, has learned from this experience.
“I think it has just been confirmed and emphasized in his mind that he needs to be very cautious in what he does publicly. Everywhere he goes he is a very public representative of our university,” Holder said. “What he uses, whatever he says, is his responsibility to represent us in a way that unites and does not divide. Things will be much less controversial in the future.”
According to Holder, the state of Oklahoma has had 14 positive tests for coronavirus. He said 12 of them have been soccer players, with the other two on the baseball team.
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