University of Oklahoma assistant football coach Cale Gundy resigned after repeatedly saying a “racially charged” term to his players during a film session, and not over a single, incorrect utterance of the word, head coach Brent Venables revealed.
Venables made his clarification on Monday after Gundy, a longtime assistant to Sooners, announced his retirement for admittedly using “shameful” language with his players.
“Coach Gundy left the program because he knows what he did was wrong,” Venables said in his second statement on Gundy’s exit. “He chose to read his players not just once, but several times, a racially charged word that is offensive to everyone and does not reflect the attitudes and values of our university or our football program.
‘This is not acceptable. Period. Coach Gundy did the right thing when he stepped down.
Gundy, the brother of Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, announced his retirement in a social media post, insisting the offensive word “was not malicious; it wasn’t even intentional.’ The word used by Gundy was not disclosed.
The incident happened during a recent film session when the assistant coach found a player distracted and looking at his iPad, Cale Gundy said in his statement. He then picked up the device and read off the screen a word that he now acknowledges “should never have – under any circumstances – been uttered.”
Cale Gundy said he was “appalled” when he realized what he had said.
However, Venables now claims that Cale said the word multiple times.
“The unfortunate reality is that someone in my position can do harm without ever intending to do so. In these circumstances, a man of character takes charge,” Gundy said. “I take responsibility for my mistake. I apologize.’
L’Damian Washington has been tapped to replace Gundy as interim coach of Sooners wide receivers.
Oklahoma assistant head coach and former Sooners quarterback Cale Gundy (left) resigned Sunday after admitting he used “shameful” language during a film session last week. University of Oklahoma assistant football coach Cale Gundy resigned after repeatedly saying a “racially charged” term to his players during a film session, and not over a single, incorrect utterance of the word, head coach Brent Venables (right) revealed
Venables made his clarification on Monday after Gundy, a longtime Sooners assistant, announced his retirement after admittedly using “shameful” language with his players
Gundy was the Sooners quarterback from 1990 to 1993 and finished the tournament with more than 6,000 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. He has also worked as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Former Sooners coach Bob Stoops hired Gundy to coach the team’s running backs in 1998 and has been with the program ever since.
Venables released an initial statement on Sunday, saying everyone associated with the program is “accountable” for his or her actions.
“It is with sadness that I accept the resignation of coach Gundy,” said Venables. “He has devoted more than half his life to football in Oklahoma and has served our program and our university well. We are grateful for this commitment.
“The culture we are building in our program is based on mutual respect. Our employees are here to develop successful student athletes as well as young men of character. As leaders of this program, it’s important that we hold ourselves to the highest standards as we model our players the kind of men we want them to be.’
Gundy got support from former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, who is currently a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals.
“…Coach Gundy is not a racist and I repeat he is in no way a racist, nor does he have a racist bone in his body, mind or spirit,” Mixon wrote in a statement posted to social media. “I grew up in the Bay Area and obviously went to school in Oklahoma. I know racists and have witnessed both overt and subtle forms of racism and have known and loathed even more genuine racists (sic). Coach Gundy is the furthest from that type of person.
Gundy was the Sooners quarterback from 1990 to 1993 and finished the tournament with more than 6,000 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. He has also worked as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He resigned as assistant coach in a statement on Sunday (right)
Bengals running back and former Oklahoma star Joe Mixon defended Gundy in a statement
Mixon defended Gundy in a statement, saying his former trainer was not a racist
L’Damian Washington (pictured) is set to replace Gundy as interim coach of the Sooners wide receivers
The Gundy family is used to controversy.
Mike, who was quarterback at rival Oklahoma State before becoming the Cowboys coach in 2005, was accused of using the N-word at an African-American player from Colorado in 1989.
Alfred Williams, a former star Colorado linebacker and NFL player, retold the story to The Oklahoman in 2020, adding that he wants to apologize and hopes to see “some growth” from Mike Gundy.
“I remember the first time the University of Colorado beat the state of Oklahoma while I was there,” Williams told The Oklahoman Wednesday night. “It was a big win. It was really a big win.
“And I remember Mike Gundy calling me the N-word. I remember that.’
Offensive coordinator Cale Gundy of the Oklahoma Sooners greets his brother, head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys before their game at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma
As allegations against Gundy surfaced again, so did his denial after the 41-17 loss
Alfred Williams, a former star Colorado linebacker and NFL player, retold the story to The Oklahoman, adding that he wants to apologize and hopes to see “some growth” from Gundy, who he doesn’t want to fire
A spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Sports told the Chron Gundy would not comment on the allegations.
Williams’ claims were corroborated by several teammates and himself after Colorado’s 41-17 win over the Cowboys in Stillwater, Oklahoma on November 12, 1989.
“He told me and a few other guys on the field,” linebacker Kanavis McGhee told The Oklahoman at the time. “It got me really excited.
“There’s a guy in the spotlight all the time, it’s not cool at all to say that. It just cheered us on.”
Williams, Bruce Young and Okland Salavea also reported the allegation to the media at the time.
Image of then-OSU quarterback Mike Gundy (right) and teammate Hart Lee Dykes in 1988
Gundy denied it to reporters after the game.
“I didn’t say it,” Gundy said. “It’s just not true. I’ve been here four years and well over half my friends are black.
“I just didn’t say that; I wouldn’t say such a thing.’
According to a St. Louis Dispatch article from the game, Gundy denied the allegations and told reporters that the Buffaloes players initiated the trash talking. He went on to tell the media to read a Sports Illustrated article about Colorado’s disciplinary issues within the football program.
Speaking to Oklahoman in 2020, Williams said he didn’t see Gundy’s rejection until this week.
“If he denies he said (that), I have at least 20 people who will vouch for what happened that day.
“I’m a little upset because after 31 years I finally saw the story get published in your Oklahoma newspapers,” he continued, referring to the 1989 game story of The Oklahoman. “That was the first one Time I saw some of the responses to what I said.
“In the St. Louis Dispatch, he said, ‘Look at the University of Colorado and their players. They have rapists.”
Williams, who played nine NFL seasons, is not mentioned in the SI article and has not been charged with a crime in Colorado.
Gundy became Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator in 2001 and was promoted to head coach at his alma mater in 2005. He has a Big 12 title and was named 2010 Conference Coach of the Year.
According to a St. Louis Dispatch article from the game (left), Gundy denied the allegations and told reporters that the Buffaloes players initiated the trash talking. He went on to tell the media to read a Sports Illustrated article about Colorado’s disciplinary issues within the football program. Buffaloes teammates Alfred Williams, Kanavis McGhee Bruce Young and Okland Salavea reported the allegation to the media at the time, as seen in this 1989 article by The Oklahoman (right).