Big 12 coaches in their own words: Week 13
In a new feature this season, here is the best quote of the week from every Big 12 coach from the weekly Monday morning teleconference that the media participates in. The order will be based on the order that the coaches speak in, no other rhyme or reason. I’ll give a little reaction to those comments below each quote.
David Beaty, Kansas Jayhawks
“We let them know that their decision was unacceptable and it won’t happen again… I apologize to the Big 12 and to college football.”
I can’t get over what a chump move Kansas pulled on Saturday between their lack of a handshake and questionable dirty play. Your team is literally a laughing stock on the field and has been for nearly a decade. What a pair of cajones. Beaty said the right things on Monday in the teleconference, but it doesn’t take away the shock of KU’s decision making.
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma Sooners
“I’ve been proud to coach him [Baker Mayfield] … it’s been one of the great jobs of my career. It’s a special career, he’s a special person and he’s done a lot for this community.”
Riley was clearly upset with Mayfield’s actions, but was not about to drag down a quarterback who has helped elevate Riley to one of the fastest-rising young coaches in college football. He later announced the suspension of Mayfield for the start of the West Virginia game, which was a mistake, but all in all, Riley has handled his first head coaching job with general class.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Cowboys
“He’s [Mayfield] at the top with all of them. I think the best way to explain him is that he’s as good as a player to make a play when it breaks down as Vince Young was in college.”
That’s some high praise from Gundy when addressing Baker Mayfield’s talents on the field. It really is just awful Oklahoma State luck to think they’ve had one of the best quarterbacks in program history these past three years in Mason Rudolph, and not only was he not the best quarterback in the Big 12 conference, he wasn’t even the best quarterback in his own state. “Sad!”
Bill Snyder, Kansas State Wildcats
“When it [the season] is over, I’ll sit down and go through the same process like I do every year and go from there.”
Of course the biggest comment Snyder made during his teleconference was in regards to his offering Jim Leavitt a job this past offseason. We did a separate breakout post on that. But Snyder was also asked about potentially stepping down after this season and his response what typical Snyder. He won’t tell us what he’s thinking. Which is fine and is his right. But this will be one of the most fascinating storylines to follow in the Big 12 this offseason.
Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia Mountaineers
“Yea it’s unfortunate, it’s just one of them deals.”
Classic Holgorsen when asked about how nasty it was seeing Will Grier’s finger sticking in a direction few have ever seen. “Yep just one of them deals, now get the boy a Red Bull, I mean a Monster, and a pack of Marlboro Reds. See you after halftime, young man!” In all seriousness, it was a nasty injury or Grier and after seeing Chris Chugunov on Saturday, I think Mountaineers fans wish Grier to return ASAP.
Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech Red Raiders
“We’ve been awful in the red zone, I think 128th in the country, and that’s on me as a play caller.”
Kingsbury has never shied away from taking the blame, but my goodness I almost feel bad for him with the questions he’s faced week in, week out. Granted a lot of the blame is on him and it comes with the territory in Power 5 college football. But Kingsbury sounds like a beaten man and when watching his press conference with the local media Monday afternoon, he looked like one as well.
Matt Rhule, Baylor Bears
“I’ve also been around some great coaches who taught me my No. 1 job is to be a great father.”
Rhule was asked about his work/life balance and gave a very respectable answer. It seems more coaches today are realizing this and making sure that their staffs do try to find that balance as best as possible in the fast-paced, insane world of college football. It’s well noted that Bob Stoops was big on making sure his coaches weren’t living in their offices. I’m sure Lincoln Riley has continued that tradition in many respects. It’s not easy, but the more coaches are willing to say things like this, which even just a few years ago may have been viewed as “not macho”, the better off the sport is.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State Cyclones
“The reality of Kansas State is they are who they are, they’re so well coached and I don’t know if Jake [Waters] can give you anything other than he was a heckuva football player, to be honest with you.”
Campbell is referring to former Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters, who is now on Iowa State’s staff, as the two teams get prepared to meet this weekend in Manhattan. When asked if Waters can help at all with game planning, Campbell stuttered over his words for a good 5-10 seconds before trying to put together this coherent answer. That leads me to believe he is definitely picking Waters’ brain more than he led on in the teleconference. Just a hunch. 🙂
Gary Patterson, TCU Horned Frogs
“I don’t know. We’ll see. I think we have a chance to get him back… I’d say closer to probable now.”
Patterson delivered the good news regarding Kenny Hill on Monday. Getting Hill back for Friday’s game against Baylor isn’t just important for that game, it’s important for a likely Big 12 championship match up against the Sooners. TCU would need Hill to win the game against OU, as Shawn Robinson was good last week against Texas Tech, but still looked like a freshman. And TCU would not want Hill rusty having sat the two weeks prior.
Tom Herman, Texas Longhorns
“We are going to bring in some of the best offensive linemen in the country… the future is bright.”
This is exactly what Texas fans what to hear as they get ready for the early singing period next month. But Herman was also very proud of the improvement of some of his young offensive linemen and believes the future is bright for this unit, regardless of who they bring in over the next few weeks.
There was also a funny exchange between Herman and Chip Brown.
It’s Chip’s turn for a question and he starts with, “Hey Tom.” Herman responds, clearly with a tinge of sarcasm, “HEY CHIP GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AGAIN.”
Brown asks a few questions. No one else was apparently in line to ask a question, so then Chip gets another turn, to which he opens with, “Hey Tom.” Herman responds, “HEY BUDDY GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AGAIN.”
Anyone that can goof on Chip Brown is A-OK in my book.
