What a bummer for Oklahoma State fans. On Saturday afternoon, literally the day after the Cowboys lost to Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to end their season, head coach Brad Underwood, who was just hired by OSU a year earlier, left Stillwater to become the new head coach at the University of Illinois. The news was shocking and unexpected by most as it is rare to see a coach leave a new coaching job to take a seemingly lateral position right after a successful first season. But here we are. The reason for Underwood’s departure appears to be related to money…
Brad Underwood is leaving Oklahoma State to coach Illinois, a source told @CBSSports. Was vastly underpaid at OSU.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 18, 2017
Source: Underwood accepted OSU contract last year with promise of renegotiation if he won. He won, but AD Holder never seriously engaged
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 18, 2017
The crazy thing about all this, is that not even 24 hours earlier, people were abuzz with positivity about the future for the Oklahoma State program with Underwood in charge….
Provided Indiana doesn't shock world, scoop up Brad Underwood, #OKState program is in terrific shape regardless of today's result.
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) March 17, 2017
Brad Underwood has this program back on the right track. Lots to look forward to for the Pokes.
— Sam Gannon (@SamGannon87) March 17, 2017
As expected, Underwood didn't disappoint in year one. OSU can feel great on what lies ahead.
— Steve McGehee (@SteveMcGehee) March 17, 2017
I bet you that Brad Underwood, in his first season at OK State, will coach many more NCAA games after this one.
— Jerry Briggs (@JerryBriggs) March 17, 2017
The finish of the year doesn't do justice for how good of a year it's been for #OkState. Underwood has these guys headed up the right way!
— Tyler Jones (@TylerJonesLive) March 17, 2017
Brad Underwood is a darn good coach. OSU hoops will only get better. https://t.co/xdqDhYxuqL
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) March 17, 2017
If Evans comes back & underwood's continued developing w/ the rest, #okstate will be strong next yr.
Definitely going in right direction.— Austin Chadwick (@AustinChadwick) March 18, 2017
This season was a great one for #okstate and Brad Underwood, but he said this is just the tip of the iceberg. https://t.co/Br7bdvqas5
— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) March 5, 2017
And how about the fans. Here are a few Friday tweets from Oklahoma State fans expressing excitement about what is to come for the Cowboys under coach Underwood…
So much for optimism. Guess it’s back to the drawing board for Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder.
