'This ain't right.' Cale Gundy's resignation sparks reaction from Sooners nation
Oklahoma football fans are getting used to sudden, surprising coaching departures.
In an OU offseason shaped by former head coach Lincoln Riley leaving Norman for the USC job, longtime wide receivers coach Cale Gundy resigning suddenly on Sunday night provided another shocking development for the Sooner faithful. Gundy said in a lengthy statement released on Twitter that he picked up the iPad of a distracted Sooners player during a meeting and read aloud words “that had nothing to do with football.”
“One particular word that I should never — under any circumstance — have uttered was displayed on that screen,” Gundy said in the statement. “In the moment, I did not even realize what I was reading and, as soon as I did, I was horrified.
“I want to be very clear: the words I read aloud from that screen were not my words. What I said was not malicious; it wasn’t even intentional. Still, I am mature enough to know that the word I said was shameful and hurtful, no matter my intentions. The unfortunate reality is that someone in my position can cause harm without ever meaning to do so. In that circumstance, a man of character accepts accountability. I take responsibility for my mistake. I apologize.”
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After playing quarterback at OU from 1990-93, Gundy — brother of Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy — had been an assistant coach with the Sooners since 1999.
Gundy was the longest-tenured coach in the Big 12 before his resignation.
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Oklahoma coach Brent Venables address Cale Gundy situation
OU head coach Brent Venables released a statement accepting Gundy’s resignation and naming offensive analyst L’Damian Washington as interim wide receivers coach.
“The culture we’re building in our program is based on mutual respect,” Venables said in the statement. “Our staff is here to develop successful student-athletes, but also young men of character. As the leader of this program, it’s essential that we hold ourselves to the highest standards as we model to our players the type of men we want them to become.”
Here’s what social media is saying about Gundy’s departure.
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Bob Stoops, former Sooners football players, fans react to Cale Gundy news
Former OU head coach Bob Stoops takes “great sadness” in Gundy’s resignation.
Former Sooners All-Big 12 running back and current Cincinnati Bengal Joe Mixon, who was with OU from 2014-16 and was suspended for the 2014 season after a misdemeanor assault charge, defends Gundy.
Twitter makes comparisons to Riley's departure and cracks a few jokes.
Former Sooner Gabe Ikard is among those shocked at this development.
An OU wide receiver commit weighs in on the news.
The Sooners continued fall camp with another practice on Monday. OU opens its season against UTEP on Sept. 3.