Pretty funny looking back at these pre-season rankings now 2 years later. Sarkisian clearly the cream of the crop among Big 12 Coaches but it hadn’t yet fully come together until the 2023 season played out (starting with the big upset win at Bama) followed by thrashing Texas Tech and Oklahoma State for Conf Championship. Venables is appropriately at the bottom of the pile still, regardless of conference.
Hook em!! 🧡🐂🤘🏼
Here are the 2023 Big 12 Preseason College Football Head Coach Rankings as compiled by CBS Sports.
Sonny Dykes – TCU
Dykes surged from 11th to 1st after leading TCU to the national title game in his first season, marking a remarkable turnaround for the program.
Chris Klieman – Kansas State
Klieman guided the Wildcats to a Big 12 Championship victory over TCU, showcasing consistent success with a 10-4 record in 2022.
Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
Despite a down year in 2022, Gundy’s long-standing success with the Cowboys keeps him high on the list, reflecting his 18-year tenure and multiple double-digit win seasons.
Lance Leipold – Kansas
Leipold transformed a struggling Kansas program, leading them to their first bowl game since 2008 and achieving a winning conference record in 2023.
Dave Aranda – Baylor
After a Big 12 title in 2021, Aranda faced challenges in 2022 with a 6-7 record, but his defensive expertise and previous success keep him in the top five.
Gus Malzahn – UCF
Entering the Big 12, Malzahn brings experience from his time at Auburn, aiming to establish UCF as a competitive program in the conference.
Matt Campbell – Iowa State
Although the Cyclones had a 4-8 season in 2022, Campbell’s previous achievements, including a Big 12 Championship appearance in 2020, demonstrate his coaching capabilities.
Steve Sarkisian – Texas
Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas has shown potential, and with a talented roster, expectations are high for the Longhorns as they prepare to transition to the SEC.
Kalani Sitake – BYU
Sitake’s leadership has kept BYU competitive, and as they join the Big 12, his experience will be vital in navigating the new conference landscape.
Joey McGuire – Texas Tech
In his first season, McGuire led the Red Raiders to an 8-5 record, including wins over Texas and Oklahoma, indicating a promising future for the program.
Dana Holgorsen – Houston
Holgorsen’s familiarity with the Big 12 from his time at West Virginia positions him to guide Houston through its transition into the conference.
Brent Venables – Oklahoma
Venables faced a challenging first season with a 6-7 record, but his defensive acumen and recruiting efforts aim to restore Oklahoma’s prominence.
Scott Satterfield – Cincinnati
Satterfield takes over a Cincinnati program transitioning into the Big 12, bringing experience from his tenure at Louisville to navigate the new challenges.
Neal Brown – West Virginia
With a 22-25 record over four seasons, Brown faces pressure to improve the Mountaineers’ performance amidst a competitive conference landscape.
These rankings reflect a combination of past achievements, recent performance, and expectations for the upcoming season. The Big 12’s dynamic nature, with new teams joining and others preparing to depart, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the 2023 season.
“Experts” at clickbait but not so much their takes.
Pretty funny looking back at these pre-season rankings now 2 years later. Sarkisian clearly the cream of the crop among Big 12 Coaches but it hadn’t yet fully come together until the 2023 season played out (starting with the big upset win at Bama) followed by thrashing Texas Tech and Oklahoma State for Conf Championship. Venables is appropriately at the bottom of the pile still, regardless of conference. Hook em!! 🧡🐂🤘🏼 Here are the 2023 Big 12 Preseason College Football Head Coach Rankings as compiled by CBS Sports. Sonny Dykes – TCU Dykes surged from 11th to 1st after leading TCU to the national title game in his first season, marking a remarkable turnaround for the program. Chris Klieman – Kansas State Klieman guided the Wildcats to a Big 12 Championship victory over TCU, showcasing consistent success with a 10-4 record in 2022. Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State Despite a down year in 2022, Gundy’s long-standing success with the Cowboys keeps him high on the list, reflecting his 18-year tenure and multiple double-digit win seasons. Lance Leipold – Kansas Leipold transformed a struggling Kansas program, leading them to their first bowl game since 2008 and achieving a winning conference record in 2023. Dave Aranda – Baylor After a Big 12 title in 2021, Aranda faced challenges in 2022 with a 6-7 record, but his defensive expertise and previous success keep him in the top five. Gus Malzahn – UCF Entering the Big 12, Malzahn brings experience from his time at Auburn, aiming to establish UCF as a competitive program in the conference. Matt Campbell – Iowa State Although the Cyclones had a 4-8 season in 2022, Campbell’s previous achievements, including a Big 12 Championship appearance in 2020, demonstrate his coaching capabilities. Steve Sarkisian – Texas Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas has shown potential, and with a talented roster, expectations are high for the Longhorns as they prepare to transition to the SEC. Kalani Sitake – BYU Sitake’s leadership has kept BYU competitive, and as they join the Big 12, his experience will be vital in navigating the new conference landscape. Joey McGuire – Texas Tech In his first season, McGuire led the Red Raiders to an 8-5 record, including wins over Texas and Oklahoma, indicating a promising future for the program. Dana Holgorsen – Houston Holgorsen’s familiarity with the Big 12 from his time at West Virginia positions him to guide Houston through its transition into the conference. Brent Venables – Oklahoma Venables faced a challenging first season with a 6-7 record, but his defensive acumen and recruiting efforts aim to restore Oklahoma’s prominence. Scott Satterfield – Cincinnati Satterfield takes over a Cincinnati program transitioning into the Big 12, bringing experience from his tenure at Louisville to navigate the new challenges. Neal Brown – West Virginia With a 22-25 record over four seasons, Brown faces pressure to improve the Mountaineers’ performance amidst a competitive conference landscape. These rankings reflect a combination of past achievements, recent performance, and expectations for the upcoming season. The Big 12’s dynamic nature, with new teams joining and others preparing to depart, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the 2023 season.
Congratulations! Very well deserved.
Awesome
Very well deserved. Volantis had a 1.59 ERA and a remarkable .88 WHIP as a freshman.
