Fans need to show that the heart of Oklahoma State football beats strong, no matter what the scoreboard might read.
It’s been a season unlike any other in recent memory for Oklahoma State football. What began with promise has quickly turned into a storm of adversity. Longtime head coach Mike Gundy was dismissed, a decision that split the fan base and sent shockwaves through the locker room. What the Cowboy program needs now is love, sweet love.
OSU’s Mike Gundy (photo courtesy The Stillwater News Press)
The turmoil reached a crescendo with a shocking home loss to Tulsa, the only time in history that the Hurricanes prevailed over the Cowboys. That loss came immediately after Oregon trounced OSU in Eugene, 69-3, and the back-to-back losses constituted the 10th and 11th defeats in the previous 15 games.
It was too much, too quickly, and the new AD fired Gundy. But Gundy was more than just a head coach — he was the face of the program for nearly two decades. He was the man many of these players committed to, the one who sat in living rooms and made promises to parents and young athletes alike. When he was fired, it wasn’t just a leadership change; it was a cultural reset.
In the days following the coaching change, a wave of uncertainty rolled through Stillwater. Players began to decommit. Others entered the transfer portal, taking advantage of the 30-day window that opens when a head coach is fired. Assistants were shuffled. Systems began to shift. What was once a stable and proud football program now feels like it’s being rebuilt midseason, brick by brick — in full public view.
Then came the Arizona game this past weekend, a 41-13 loss that dropped the ‘Pokes to 1-4 on the year. The defeat was made worse by the flood of criticism on social media afterward. Players were singled out. Coaches were second-guessed. Many questioned whether Oklahoma State football was officially in freefall.
But amid the chaos and criticism, one thing must remain unshaken: support.
Let’s be clear. No one is asking for pity. Football is a warrior’s game, and these young men know exactly what they signed up for. But commitment to a program doesn’t end when the headlines turn sour or when the results on the field don’t meet expectations. Indeed, it’s in these moments, when everything feels unsteady, that commitment means the most.
These players are still here, and that’s all that matters. They chose to stay, despite all the upheaval, and deserve more than just applause. They deserve the full weight of the fanbase standing behind them. These athletes are fighting to represent the university, to honor the scholarship they committed to, and to finish what they started, even as the foundation beneath them shifts.
They’re not just playing for wins. They’re playing for pride. For teammates. For family. For something bigger than themselves. So, now more than ever, Oklahoma State fans, alums, families, friends, and even casual observers across the state need to show up literally and figuratively.
These players need fans in the stands to witness a sea of orange in the crowd. They need to hear the roar when they run out of the tunnel. They need to feel like they’re still part of something powerful and proud. They need to feel like they are still chasing a dream, even if that dream looks different now from when they first arrived on campus.
The truth is, while everything else may be changing, the fans have the power to provide one crucial constant: the unwavering energy of game day.
Cheering them on doesn’t mean blindly ignoring the struggles. It means recognizing that the jersey still holds meaning for both you and them. It means showing them that Oklahoma State football is bigger than one coach, one game, or even one season.
This season might not end in a bowl game. There may not be a championship to chase. However, that doesn’t mean the season can’t still matter to the kids playing, the fans watching, and the culture that OSU football has built over the years.
If you’ve ever believed in the value of college athletics, in the meaning of team, or in the journey from adversity to triumph, then this is your time to step up.
Photo courtesy Pokes Report
Let the chants still ring out across Boone Pickens Stadium. Let “Pistols Firing” still echo through the air. Let the players feel the pride of representing Oklahoma State every single Saturday, even when things aren’t perfect.
Because that’s what real support looks like. That’s what the Cowboy family is supposed to be about.
So stand up, show up, and remind these young men and the rest of the country to see something very important. While the scoreboard might change, the heart of Oklahoma State football doesn’t waver.
