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Mike Gundy’s firing at Oklahoma State has already sparked a public coaching campaign from one of the program’s biggest stars. Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant wasted no time endorsing Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson — his former quarterback at OSU — just hours after the school parted ways with its longtime coach.
“Oklahoma state let’s make Zac Robinson the head coach!” Bryant posted on Twitter, using his platform to immediately thrust his former teammate into the conversation.
Oklahoma state let’s make Zac Robinson the head coach!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 23, 2025
Robinson, 38, has quickly climbed the NFL coaching ladder despite never having led a college program. He spent five years learning under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams before the Falcons handed him play-calling duties this season. While his name has generated buzz in NFL circles, his connection to Stillwater might be his most compelling qualification.
The Robinson-Bryant connection produced electric results for the Cowboys from 2007-2009.
During their time together, Robinson established himself as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who helped put Oklahoma State’s offense on the national map. He finished his Cowboys career with over 10,000 total yards — numbers that helped Bryant develop into a first-round NFL Draft pick and eventual three-time Pro Bowler with Dallas.
Gundy’s dismissal comes after the program’s recent decline, including a dismal 3-9 record in 2024 and a 1-2 start this season capped by Friday’s loss to Tulsa. Despite being the winningest coach in school history with eight double-digit win seasons and a Big 12 championship in 2011, Gundy struggled to adapt to college football’s new landscape of transfers and NIL opportunities.
Bringing in Robinson would represent a dramatic shift for the Cowboys. He’d bring youth, NFL pedigree, and innovative offensive concepts — but lacks recruiting experience. That combination might appeal to boosters looking to honor tradition while modernizing an offense that hasn’t ranked in the national top 40 since 2019.
Search Just Beginning
Athletic director Chad Weiberg hasn’t outlined a specific timeline for finding Gundy’s replacement. Other candidates will certainly emerge, with Texas State’s G.J. Kinne and Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein already generating early buzz.
“We’ve proven that we can win here,” Weiberg said during his press conference. “Again, that goes back to the success that we have had under coach Gundy. We’ve proven that we have a lot of support for this program. The ingredients are here, and I feel very, very confident about that. I know that I will be able to talk about that with any coaching candidates.”
Bryant’s public endorsement ensures Robinson will remain part of the conversation throughout the search process — regardless of his lack of college coaching experience.
For a program at a crossroads, the Cowboys now face a crucial decision: stick with familiar ties or venture in an entirely new direction. Either way, Bryant has made his preference crystal clear.
