Oklahoma State: a football coaching history
See Oklahoma State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
1st-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Les Miles (2001–2004) · succeeded by Doug Meacham (2025).
| Season | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Record | 4-7 | 7-6 | 7-6 | 9-4 | 9-4 | 11-2 | 12-1 | 8-5 | 10-3 | 7-6 | 10-3 | 10-3 | 10-3 | 7-6 | 8-5 | 8-3 | 12-2 | 7-6 | 10-4 | 3-9 | 1-2 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #47 | #18 | #25 | #32 | #34 | #29 | #25 | #31 | #31 | #27 | #40 | #45 | #38 | #34 | #38 | #45 | #39 | #29 | #54 | #56 | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | 42.7 | 38.1 | 39.5 | 35.9 | 37.7 | 54.2 | 60.3 | 48.8 | 49.0 | 44.2 | 52.9 | 48.6 | 49.9 | 48.8 | 39.2 | 40.2 | 41.9 | 52.4 | 55.9 | 56.0 | — | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| OC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Mike Yurcich | Mike Yurcich | Mike Yurcich | Mike Yurcich | Mike Yurcich | Sean Gleeson | Kasey Dunn | Kasey Dunn | Kasey Dunn | Kasey Dunn | Kasey Dunn | — | |
| DC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Glenn Spencer | Glenn Spencer | Glenn Spencer | Glenn Spencer | Jim Knowles | Jim Knowles | Jim Knowles | Jim Knowles | Derek Mason | Bryan Nardo / Joe Bob Clements | Bryan Nardo / Joe Bob Clements | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offense | 47 | 86 | 97 | 92 | 3 | 90 | 91 | 87 | 51 | 43 | 75 | 89 | 93 | 88 | 58 | 52 | 41 | 16 | 61 | 36 | — | |
| Defense | 55 | 11 | 1 | 26 | 85 | 59 | 21 | 50 | 93 | 26 | 22 | 47 | 47 | 17 | 56 | 70 | 98 | 51 | 9 | 5 | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 42.7 | 37.2 | 41.1 | 38.5 | 34.9 | 53.1 | 64.7 | 50.5 | 41.2 | 43.3 | 48.4 | 49.4 | 49.8 | 48.5 | 34.3 | 41.5 | 42.8 | 49.7 | 52.3 | 49.7 | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | 28.4 | 26.7 | 31.5 | 19.3 | 27.3 | 42.0 | 50.8 | 37.1 | 31.0 | 27.3 | 38.6 | 33.3 | 37.0 | 38.1 | 31.4 | 29.0 | 29.4 | 41.0 | 42.1 | 54.1 | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 22.9 | 35.9 | 37.5 | 30.6 | 34.9 | 16.2 | 33.3 | 21.1 | 21.2 | 21.4 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 32.6 | 36.6 | 30.0 | 20.0 | 18.5 | 25.0 | 24.1 | 46.2 | — | |
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
37 NFL Draft picks: Charlie Johnson (2006), Ryan McBean (2007), Corey Hilliard (2007), Brandon Pettigrew (2009), Russell Okung (2010), Dez Bryant (2010), Perrish Cox (2010), Zac Robinson (2010) + 29 more
Coach of the Year: Big 12 Coach of the Year (2021), Big 12 Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year (2023)
3 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Mason Rudolph (2017), Malcolm Rodriguez (2021), Ollie Gordon II (2023)
7th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Bob Simmons (1995–2000) · succeeded by Mike Gundy (2005–2025).
| Season | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 4-7 | 8-5 | 9-4 | 7-5 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | #24 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | 25.3 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | — | — | — | 86 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | 18 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | 22.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | 14.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | 35.7 | |
7 NFL Draft picks: Kevin Williams (2003), Rashaun Woods (2004), Tatum Bell (2004), Antonio Smith (2004), Darrent Williams (2005), Vernand Morency (2005), Billy Bajema (2005)
10th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Pat Jones (1984–1994) · succeeded by Les Miles (2001–2004).
| Season | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 5-6 | 8-4 | 5-6 | 5-6 | 3-8 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
5 NFL Draft picks: R.W. McQuarters (1998), Kevin Williams (1998), Alonzo Mayes (1998), Jacoby Shepherd (2000), Ethan Howell (2000)
3rd-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Jimmy Johnson (1979–1983) · succeeded by Bob Simmons (1995–2000).
| Season | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||
| Record | 10-2 | 8-4 | 6-5 | 10-2 | 10-2 | 4-7 | 4-7 | 0-10-1 | 4-6-1 | 3-8 | 3-7-1 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | W bowl | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
11 NFL Draft picks: Rusty Hilger (1985), James Harris (1985), Leslie O'Neal (1986), John Washington (1986), Paul Blair (1986), Mark Moore (1987), Barry Sanders (1989), Hart Lee Dykes (1989) + 3 more
4th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Jim Stanley (1973–1978) · succeeded by Pat Jones (1984–1994).
| Season | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 7-4 | 3-7-1 | 7-5 | 4-5-2 | 8-4 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | |
7 NFL Draft picks: John Corker (1980), Roger Taylor (1981), Dexter Manley (1981), Greg Hill (1983), Gary Lewis (1983), Chris Rockins (1984), Ernest Anderson (1984)
2nd-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Dave Smith (1972) · succeeded by Jimmy Johnson (1979–1983).
| Season | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 5-4-2 | 7-5 | 7-4 | 9-3 | 4-7 | 3-8 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | — | W bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
10 NFL Draft picks: Reuben Gant (1974), Glenn Robinson (1974), Cleveland Vann (1974), James White (1976), Larry Harris (1976), Phil Dokes (1977), Cliff Parsley (1977), Derrel Gofourth (1977) + 2 more
9th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Phil Cutchin (1963–1968) · succeeded by Dave Smith (1972).
3 NFL Draft picks: John Ward (1970), Jerry Sherk (1970), Bob Cutburth (1970)
11th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Cliff Speegle (1955–1962) · succeeded by Floyd Gass (1969–1971).
8th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Jennings Whitworth (1950–1954) · succeeded by Phil Cutchin (1963–1968).
6th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Jim Lookabaugh (1939–1949) · succeeded by Cliff Speegle (1955–1962).
5th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Ted Cox (1936–1938) · succeeded by Jennings Whitworth (1950–1954).
12th-best Oklahoma State tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Jim Lookabaugh (1939–1949).