Former Oklahoma State football coach Bob Simmons died Tuesday, his family told The Oklahoman.
Simmons was 77.
He coached the Cowboys from 1995-2000, going 30-38.
In 1997, he was named Big 12 Coach of the Year after OSU went 8-4 and made a bowl game for the first time since 1988.
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A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Simmons played linebacker at Bowling Green. He then coached for more than three decades, including as the linebackers coach at Colorado, where he won a national title in 1990.
This story will be updated.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Bob Simmons shouldn’t be forgotten in rise of Oklahoma State football
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker throws a touchdown pass during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker throws a touchdown pass during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Chris Barnes scores a touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris applauds during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker celebrates with Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Young after a touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Chris Barnes runs to the end zone after a reception during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris talks wuth players in front of Jacob Sexton (79) and Joseph Hanson (79) during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Miles Coleman is brought down by Cameron Epps during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker is interviewed during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker, right, celebrates with Chris Barnes and Jacob Sexton after a touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris calls a time out during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Chris Barnes is brought down by Cooper Lai, left, Kobi Foreman and Taurean Davis, right, during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Young catches a touchdown pass in front of Braeden Presley during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Young celebrates after a touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker smiles after throwing a touchdown pass during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris walks on the field during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma States Tre Page III carries the ball during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Cameron Epps intercepts a pass intended for Wyatt Young during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Cameron Epps, right. and Cooper Lai celebrate after Epps intercepted a pass during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Chris Barnes runs beside Cooper Lai during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Miles Coleman is brought down by Christian Bodnar during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Luke Logan runs a drill during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker drops back to pass during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Miles Coleman is brought down by Cooper Lai, left, and Jeremy Cook Jr. during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker hands off to Caleb Hawkins for a touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Caleb Hawkins runs for a touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker celebrates after an OSU touchdown during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s runs for a touchdown as Jack Puckett tries to stop him during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Chris Barnes returns a kick during a drill in a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Dennis Moody III carries the ball during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Drew Mestemaker makes Oklahoma State football spring game debut, see our top photos
Oklahoma State’s Jeremy Cook Jr. brings down Wyatt Young during a spring football game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at junruh@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former Oklahoma State football coach Bob Simmons dies at 77
