Oklahoma State's Coach Simmons Resigns

By
Owen Canfield
January 7, 2006, 5:17 AM ET
2 min read

S T I L L W A T E R, Okla., Nov. 6, 2000 -- Bob Simmons will resign after theseason as Oklahoma State’s football coach, ending his six-year stayat the school.

Oklahoma State (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) has lost six straight games. A21-16 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday guaranteed the Cowboys theirthird straight losing season and fifth under Simmons.

Simmons’ last game will be against No. 1 Oklahoma on Nov. 25.

He informed his players of his decision just before today’snews conference.

“That was tough,” he said in a halting voice. “I asked themto go forward and very much be a part of the future of thisprogram, the successes that they are going to have.

“I encouraged them to stick around. I encouraged them torecruit and to build.”

Simmons said he wanted to continue coaching.

“I think I’ve done the right way, the way they wanted me to doit,” Simmons said about his time at Oklahoma State.

Frustrating Few Seasons

Athletic director Terry Don Phillips has said there is noquestion the program is in better shape than when Simmons took overafter the 1994 season.

But Phillips, who is pushing an $80 million renovation of thefootball stadium, also says fans and donors are dissatisfied withthe lack of success.

On Sunday, Simmons spoke of his future.

“No matter what happens, I’ll remain faithful and do the bestjob I can do and consider it a blessing and get on with my life,”he said. “We’re in a profession based on one thing. You can talkabout academics, but ultimately the bottom line is wins andlosses.”

Oklahoma State, inconsistent all season, finally put togetherfour good quarters in its loss to Texas A&M.

“Like coach Simmons says, this team has shown tremendouscharacter, and we’re not going to give up no matter what,” saidGabe Lindsay, who had a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown. “Wecame out, we fought hard, but we just didn’t come out with a win.”

There has been plenty of frustration in recent years.

Simmons, whose career record is 29-36, had what appeared to be abreakthrough season in 1997 when the Cowboys won eight games andplayed in the Alamo Bowl, their first bowl trip since 1988.

They finished 5-6 the following year, but almost upset Nebraskaand Texas. An early injury to quarterback Tony Lindsay contributedto another 5-6 finish last season.