Last week, Gundy said one of his players was “distracted” during the film session, so the coach picked up the player’s iPad and read aloud what he saw on the tablet. According to Gundy, what he saw on the screen had nothing to do with football.
He did not disclose what the word was.
“One particular word that I should never – under any circumstance – have uttered was displayed on that screen,” Gundy wrote on his Twitter account Sunday.
“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 that 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.”
He added: “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 responsibilities for my mistake. I apologize.”
First-year head football coach Brent Venables accepted Gundy’s resignation and thanked him for his service at the school.
“It’s with sadness that I accept Coach Gundy’s resignation,” Venables said in a statement on Twitter.
“He’s dedicated more than half of 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.
