UPDATE: Brett McMurphy reported Tuesday night that Gundy is staying in Stillwater after turning down Tennessee's offer. Gundy later tweeted his commitment to the program:
Cowboy For Life! #GoPokes #okstate
— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) November 29, 2017
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Tennessee is meeting with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy for its head coaching vacancy, according to several reports.
The Cowboys coach was scheduled to meet with Volunteers athletic director John Currie on Tuesday, as first reported by Jimmy Hyam of Gridiron Now. The report was corroborated by GoPokes.com, which reported the two parties would meet in Dallas after Currie requested to meet Gundy on Monday; the latter declined, saying he was on a recruiting trip.
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Tennessee reportedly does not expect Gundy to make his decision on Tuesday.
The Oklahoma State coach would be a huge get for a Tennessee program in desperate need of a big-name hire. He has a 113-53 record in his 13 seasons at Oklahoma State, including back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2015 and '16, with a chance for a third with a bowl win in 2017. Tennessee, meanwhile, has a 53-50 record since Phillip Fulmer stepped down as the Volunteers' head coach in 2008.
Tennessee's desperation for a big-name hire was only magnified when it was reported on Sunday the program was prepared to sign former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano. The decision was met with widespread outrage among the fan base, and the Volunteers rescinded their offer. It was also reported former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin was being considered for the job.
In Gundy, however, Tennessee will find a coach with a proven track record of success in the Big 12. His high-flying offensive schemes would be an interesting addition to the Southeastern Conference, which is traditionally known for its defensive standouts. With the move, Gundy would head a program that clearly has the state's undivided support, unlike in Oklahoma, where the Cowboys are often overshadowed by the Sooners.
However, Gundy is also an Oklahoma State alum, and has repeatedly said he is rooted at his alma mater. He also reportedly turned down the Florida position after the Chip Kelly chose UCLA over the Gators. It will be interesting to see what offer Tennessee can make, if any, to lure the Cowboys coach away to the SEC.
