Ranking the Big 12 Coaches (Part 1)

It’s no secret that OSU fans love Mike Gundy. They love that he played quarterback in the late 80’s with Barry Sanders, they loved his incredible mullet then, they love the return of that same mullet, and they love how he’s transformed the Cowboys into one of the more successful college football programs year in and year out in the country.

While the Cowboys typically rank between 30-40 nationally in recruiting classes, they have reached double digits in wins four times since 2010, and are second in the Big 12 in conference wins in that time (37-16).

But where does Mike Gundy rank compared to his counterparts within the Big 12? Pretty well, especially with the departure of Art Briles at Baylor. It’s an interesting time in the Big 12. Let’s look at the different categories, rank them, and take a look at how Gundy stacks up. We will break this into two parts. Up first, the new guys on the block. Later in the week, established giants and coaches who still have something to prove

Group 3 — The New Guys On The Block

These guys are almost brand new at their schools, and will need a few years to build (or in Grobe’s case, save) their programs.

10. David Beatty (Kansas)

Poor guy. Beatty has been the head coach at Kansas for a year and went winless in 2015 in his first season. Beatty came from Texas A&M as the wide receivers coach, and faces a whale of a job in Lawrence on all fronts. Recruiting will be a real challenge for a school that has struggled even to win non-conference games for years. Generating buzz amongst the fan base will also be difficult, as most Jayhawk fans have given up on the football program, especially with such a strong basketball team year in and year out.

If Beatty can win even a few games in 2016, it will be a success for Kansas football. They are building from the ground floor up so it will take patience and time for Beatty to get his players into his system. He has a reputation as a strong, creative offensive mind, and it will take a few years to see results.

9. Jim Grobe, Baylor

Grobe is your average “steady the ship” hire after Art Briles’ departure this off-season. Grobe has been almost the definition of a .500 coach in his career at Ohio and Wake Forest, going 110-115-1. Grobe hasn’t coached since resigning from Wake Forest in 2013, following his fifth straight season under .500.

Grobe will inherit a roster with some talent left in the cupboard, but will have to rebuild Baylor’s brand on the recruiting trail. Almost all of Baylor’s 2017 recruits have bailed to other schools, so the tough task for Grobe and his staff will come as Briles’ players move on from Waco going forward.

8. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Campbell enters his first season at Iowa State after spending four whole seasons at Toledo, coaching the Rockets to an impressive 35-15 record. Campbell was hired at the ripe age of 32, and turned down an opportunity to join Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State to become the head coach at Toledo. We will see how Campbell can adjust to the Big 12, but this move has a lot of Cyclone fans excited for the first time in years.

Coming tomorrow: Coaches who have something to prove.