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This post has been updated. Skip to the end to see the latest information.
Arkansas's Jeff Long might have found his man in Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. Reports are coming out all over the place suggesting that something may be happening soon on that front:
Or is it white smoke that signals a new pope? Seems Mike Gundy may have said yes to Jeff Long and Arkansas. The engagement in ON!
— Jim Harris(@jimharris360) December 4, 2012
Our people are saying that unless this falls through, Arkansas has found its man in Mike Gundy
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) December 4, 2012
Multiple sources now saying Mike Gundy will be the next head coach at Arkansas...presser likely to be Wednesday.
— Trey Biddy (@TreyBiddy) December 4, 2012
Two of these are hedged, so I'm not ready to stamp this with the "done deal" tag just yet. However, there's enough out there to think this really could be happening.
It would be a surprising move to see Gundy bail on OSU for, well, anywhere. He's an alumnus of Oklahoma State, the program is enjoying one of its best stretches ever, and superbooster T. Boone Pickens will keep the place flush with cash as long as his oil money doesn't run out. However, his relationship with AD Mike Holder reportedly is not good after a rocky contract negotiation last year and disagreements about scheduling.
Gundy replaced Les Miles as head coach in Stillwater in 2005. He has a 66-35 record there with a conference title in 2011. OSU has only five 10+ win seasons in its history, and Gundy was involved in four of them either as a coach or a player. And yes, here's the obligatory video (2:22 is what you're looking for):
INSTA-UPDATE
So another ADG reporting is contradicting the one above...
Hogs have their coach. Not Gundy. Should be announced today
— Wally Hall (@WallyLikeItIs) December 4, 2012
Here's one more from Oklahoma. Yeah, I don't know what's going on either.
MORE UPDATES!
Just got it from another strong source that Gundy has NOT been hired at Ark. And from another that Tenn not appealing... #okstate
— John Helsley (@jjhelsley) December 4, 2012
Course correction. Arkansas FB coach negotiations ongoing. ... stay tuned
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) December 4, 2012
I'm now told by multiple sources its NOT going to be Gundy
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) December 4, 2012
So I guess it's not happening, then.