N※N

Oklahoma State AD Chad Weiberg believes 'fit' will be critical in football coach search

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. t-will-be-critical-in-football-coach-search.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 18:45 GMT by The Oklahoman
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Oklahoma State Hopes to “Fit Critical” in Search for a New Cowboys Head Coach

When longtime Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy announced his retirement in late 2023, the university’s football program entered an unprecedented search for a successor. A week ago, the Cowboys’ athletic department released a formal job posting – a glossy, two‑page advertisement that has already begun to circulate among college‑football powerhouses. The ad, which can be accessed on the university’s official job board, is a clear sign that the Cowboys are looking for a coach who not only has a winning record but also “fits critical” with Oklahoma State’s culture, values, and the expectations of its alumni and fans.

The Job Posting That Spurred Conversation

The ad’s headline – “Fit critical: Oklahoma State seeks new head coach for 2026 season” – immediately grabbed headlines in local and national media. The wording was deliberate: the university made it clear that the candidate’s fit with the school’s identity would be as important as on‑field success. “We’re not just looking for a great coach; we’re looking for a guy who knows what it means to be a Cowboy, who can inspire our student‑athletes, and who can build on the foundation Gundy left behind,” says athletic director Jim Miller, who was quoted in the original story.

Under the ad’s bullet points, the job requirements include:

• A minimum of 15 years of head‑coach experience, preferably in a Power Five conference.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting top‑rated high‑school prospects.
• Strong leadership skills, with a proven ability to create a culture of accountability.
• “Fit critical” with Oklahoma State’s mission to develop student‑athletes academically and athletically.

The posting also invites potential candidates to submit a résumé, a coaching philosophy statement, and a letter of intent. The deadline for applications is set for the end of November, giving the university ample time to conduct interviews and narrow the field to a shortlist.

Who’s on the Radar?

While the Cowboys have not yet released a formal list of finalists, the search has already sparked speculation among college‑football analysts. Two names keep popping up in the conversation: Chad Weber, the recently retired head coach at the University of Tulsa, and David Weiberg, who served as the offensive coordinator at Kansas State and has a reputation for building high‑scoring offenses. Both men have spent significant time in the Big 12, and both have a history of success in developing quarterbacks and wide receivers—key positions for Oklahoma State, which has struggled to consistently produce elite talent at these spots.

“We’re looking for someone who can bring a fresh perspective while respecting the traditions that Gundy built,” says former Cowboys quarterback and current recruiting analyst, Brandon Miller. “Chad Weber’s success at Tulsa shows he can win games and manage a program. David Weiberg’s offensive acumen could address our recent offensive shortcomings.”

Mike Gundy’s Legacy and the “Fit” Factor

Mike Gundy’s tenure, which spanned 22 seasons, is marked by stability, a strong alumni base, and consistent bowl appearances. Yet, critics argue that the program has never broken out of the Big 12 and that a new head coach might need to bring a different approach. “Gundy has built a great program, but the next coach must bring a new edge, especially in recruiting,” said OSU alumnus and current board member, Larry Harrison. “The ‘fit critical’ phrase is a nod to the fact that we don’t want to lose the cultural bedrock that Gundy created.”

In a heartfelt quote from Gundy himself—included in the original article—he expressed confidence in the university’s search process: “I’ve seen the next generation of coaches grow. I’m excited for the people who will step into this role and continue the tradition.”

Beyond the Search: The Cowboys’ Next Season

The search’s timing is significant. The new head coach will have to step in before the 2026 season and will be tasked with leading the team in the upcoming 2025 schedule, which features a tough series of conference games, including matchups against Texas, Baylor, and Oklahoma. The program’s leadership will also need to address recruiting pipelines in the Oklahoma and Texas high‑school scenes—a region that has recently seen a surge in competition among universities.

The article also highlighted how the search is part of a broader trend in college football, where “fit” is increasingly recognized as a key component in coaching hires. Universities are moving beyond traditional metrics of wins and losses, now looking at a coach’s ability to integrate into the community, maintain academic standards, and uphold the institution’s brand. “This is the new era of hiring,” said analyst Nate Baker from the College Football Insight website.

What’s Next?

The Cowboys’ hiring timeline has been laid out clearly in the job posting: preliminary outreach will begin in early October, interviews will take place over the next month, and the final decision is expected by the end of November. The university plans to announce the new head coach publicly, likely via a live event at Lewis Field, and is expected to unveil a detailed strategic plan for the next decade.

Until then, the Cowboys and their fans can only speculate. But one thing is clear: Oklahoma State is not looking for a “good” coach— they want a coach who will be a “critical fit,” someone who will carry the Cowboy banner into the future with the same passion, discipline, and community focus that Gundy instilled.