Cale Gundy resigns position as assistant coach with the Oklahoma Sooners.
In an surprise announcement, long-time assistant and former player Cale Gundy resigned from his position as the Sooners wide receiver coach.
Gundy shared this statement via social media last night:
“Last week, during a film session, I instructed my players to take notes. I noticed a player was distracted and picked up his iPad and read aloud the words that were written on his screen,” Gundy wrote. “The words displayed had nothing to do with football. One particular word that I should never, under any circumstance, have uttered was displayed on that screen. 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.”
Gundy continued, “This team, its coaches, players, administration and fans, do not deserve to be distracted by off-the-field matters while working to continue the tradition of excellence that makes me so proud to be a Sooner. I won’t do the program I love the disservice of distracting from that mission. Effective immediately, I am stepping down.”
Gundy had been an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma since 1999, coaching a variety of positions during his tenure. A former quarterback with the Sooners, had a coaching tenure that spanned two head coaches and was on his way to playing a pivotal role.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables issued a statement through the university on Gundy’s resignation.
“It’s with sadness that I accept coach Gundy’s resignation. He’s dedicated more than half his life to Oklahoma football and has served our program and university well. We’re thankful for that commitment. We also acknowledge that in stepping aside he’s placed the program and the welfare of our student-athletes first. In coaching and in life, we’re all accountable for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
“The culture we’re building in our program is based on mutual respect. Our staff is here to develop successful student-athletes, but also young men of character. As the leaders of this program, it’s essential that we hold ourselves to the highest standards as we model for our players the type of men we want them to become.
“L’Damian Washington, who has been serving as an offensive analyst for our program, will coach our wide receivers on an interim basis.”
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