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OSU's Simmons To Step Down

November 6, 2000 / 7:54 PM EST / CBS/AP

Bob Simmons' six-year run as Oklahoma State's football coach will end after this season.

Simmons announced his resignation Monday, effective at the end of the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game on Nov. 25.

"I do this so the university can go about rebuilding the program." he said.

"Any time a coach leaves a program, it comes down to the "W", the wins and losses."

Oklahoma State (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) has lost six straight games and is assured of its third straight losing season and fifth under Simmons.

He told his players of the decision just before an afternoon news conference. "That was tough," he said in a halting voice.

"I asked them to go forward and very much be a part of the future of this program, the successes that they are going to have," he said. "I encouraged them to stick around. I encouraged them to recruit and to build."

Simmons said he wanted to continue coaching.

"I think I've done it the right way, the way they wanted me to do it," Simmons said about his time at Oklahoma State.

"I gave it my best shot," Simmons said.

Simmons' last game will be against intrastate rival Oklahoma on Nov. 25.

Oklahoma State athletic director Terry Don Phillips has said there is no question the program is in better shape than when Simmons took over after the 1994 season. But he also has said fans and donors are dissatisfied with the lack of success.

"Your program is on solid ground," Simmons said in remarks aimed at fans.

Oklahoma State, inconsistent all season, finally put together four good quarters in its 21-16 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday.

"Like coach Simmons says, this team has shown tremendous character, and we're not going to give up no matter what," said Gabe Lindsay, who had a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown. "We came 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 a breakthrough season in 1997 when the Cowboys won eight games and played in the Alamo Bowl, their first bowl trip since 1988.

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

Lindsay injured his throwing shoulder in a preseason scrimmage this year but tried to play through it, and it showed. The Cowboys won their first two games, against Tulsa and Southwest Texas, but they haven't won since.

Lindsay finally opted for surgery afte the fifth game. Aso Pogi has played well as his replacement, but not well enough for the Cowboys to win.

"I feel like that's the OSU team we should have been all year," senior defensive lineman Zac Warner said after the A&M loss. "Why we weren't, I don't know."