Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy believes that college football needs a commissioner, and he has specific candidates in mind. Just before Gundy’s weekly press conference, news emerged about the Big Ten and SEC discussing new College Football Playoff formats. During the press conference, Gundy shared his thoughts on how this scheduling agreement could impact the sport.
Gundy stated, “College football needs a commissioner, whether it’s the SEC commissioner or someone else. We need a commissioner for the Power Four or Power Five conferences, along with a football oversight rules committee to enforce rules around recruiting, NIL, salary caps, and transfers, modeled after the NFL.”
He highlighted the NFL’s success in maintaining competitive balance through drafts and free agency, suggesting that college football must also foster national competitiveness to engage fans in the playoffs and championships.
Gundy proposed two potential candidates for the commissioner role: Coach Mack Brown of North Carolina and Coach Nick Saban, emphasizing their expertise. He likened them to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, noting their deep understanding of the game.
While Gundy is aware of Saban’s new role at ESPN, he hasn’t seen him on air but has heard positive feedback about Saban’s performance.
Gundy also addressed recent NIL legislation in Georgia that prevents penalties against schools for compensating student-athletes. When asked if he wants to govern college football after coaching, he declined, expressing concern about the current state of the game.
He hopes someone like Saban will take on the commissioner role due to his insight and experience, stressing the urgency of establishing this leadership to avoid further complications, similar to issues seen in NASCAR and LIV golf.
