Oklahoma state coach Mike Gundy needs “to spend more time building stronger relationships with his student-athletes,” according to an internal review of the program, which “found no signs or indications of racism,” said athletic director Mike Holder in a statement. Thursday night.
Last month, Gundy apologized for the “pain and discomfort” it caused his players and others because of a shirt that was photographed, and promised positive changes to his soccer program. His apology came a day after Cowboys star running back Chuba Hubbard criticized Gundy on social media for wearing an OAN (One America News) shirt. Gundy wore the shirt in a photo that appeared on social media.
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. for the state of Oklahoma. Williams told the newspaper that he does not want Gundy fired but that he wants an apology and that he sees “some growth.”
Titular and deputy athletic director Chad Weiberg conducted an internal review of the allegations, which included multiple interviews with current and former OSU players, according to the university.
“Our internal review found that Coach Gundy needs to spend more time building stronger relationships with his student athletes,” Holder said in a statement. “However, our review has found no signs or indications of racism. After meeting with Coach Gundy, I am sure he listened to his student athletes. I think he is genuine in his commitment to strengthening relationships with his players. I think that this to be a victory for everyone. I look forward to the impact this will have on our team. “
Gundy apologized for wearing the shirt after a meeting with his players last month. OAN is a far-right news network, often cited by President Donald Trump, that has sought to position itself as a venue for a pro-Trump audience and recently criticized the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I had a great meeting with our team today,” said Gundy at the time. “Our players expressed their feelings as individuals and as team members. They helped me see through their eyes how the jersey affected their hearts. Once I knew how that network felt about Black Lives Matter, I was upset and I knew it was completely unacceptable to me.
“I want to apologize to all of our team members, former players and their families for the pain and discomfort caused in the past two days. Black Lives matters to me. Our players are important to me. These meetings with our team have It has been revealing and will result in positive changes for Oklahoma state soccer. I sincerely hope that the Oklahoma State family will accept my humble apologies as we move forward. “
Hubbard, who led FBS with 2,094 yards rushing and was the Big 12 offensive player of the year in 2019, wrote on Twitter last month that “he was never wrong to say what I said. I am a man and I realized that I should have done it. ” I went to him as a face-to-face man instead of on Twitter. That’s my opinion. But I had to hold him accountable in any way. “
“I am a young black man who wants a change,” wrote Hubbard. “I want a change that will bring a better experience for my black brothers and sisters in the state of Oklahoma. It’s that simple. For the next few months that I am gone in the state of Oklahoma, I will work EVERYDAY to bring change to this organization. and to the world. I will be supported by my teammates along with people from this organization. For everyone else, trust me when I tell you that everything will be all right. “
In a statement Thursday night, Oklahoma State President V. Burns Hargis said he was confident the underlying problem was a “lack of personal relationships between the head coach and players rather than something racial” .
“This problem can be solved,” said Hargis. “After meeting Mike Holder and Mike Gundy, I believe they are committed to taking steps to strengthen the relationship, which will improve communications and the program. I appreciate the student athletes who speak frankly and the efforts of Mike Holder and Chad Weiberg. to spend considerable time listening to current and past players. It is time to focus our attention on preparing for this long awaited soccer season this year. “
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