CBS Sports Ranks Power 5 Coaches: Did They Get the Big 12 Right?
It is officially the offseason and with that, the takes are just rolling in from everywhere. It seems like everyday something new catches me eye and makes me shake my head. On Wednesday, CBS Sports ranked every college football head coach in the power five and of course, it was followed by a head shake.
Here is where CBS Sports sees the Big 12 head coaches.
#62 Baylor HC Dave Aranda
Seems like a lack of respect for Aranda but Baylor did go 2-7 last season.
#60 Texas Tech HC Matt Wells
I think this one is fair. Matt Wells hasn’t changed much in Lubbock over the last two seasons, and he should certainly be on the hot seat going into the 2021 season.
#46 Texas HC Steve Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian hasn’t been a head coach since 2015 so I don’t have much of an issue with him here. Obviously, his ranking could change drastically if Texas starts winning consistently.
#41 WVU HC Neal Brown
Neal Brown is brining West Virginia in the right direction so I believe he should be in the top 35 because I do believe he is a good head coach.
#37 Kansas State HC Chris Klieman
The Wildcats went 4-6 last season, but injuries absolutely ruined the 2020 season for Kansas State. Chris Klieman is a great coach and probably should move a few spots down this list.
#35 Kansas HC Lance Leipold
This one makes zero sense to me. Lance Leipold has had success in the DIII level and the group of five level but this is the power five now. There is no way in hell I would put him above any of the other Big 12 head coaches right now until he proves himself in Lawrence. Way too high for my taste.
#19 TCU HC Gary Patterson
CBS got this right. Gary Patterson is still a good head coach and belongs in the top 25. TCU has had some down years over the last three seasons but his team this season has a chance to make some noise in the Big 12.
#15 Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy
Just like Gary Patterson at TCU, Mike Gundy built this program over the years. Oklahoma State is consistently a top 25 team and Mike Gundy is without a doubt a top 25 coach. I think 15 is good spot for him.
#9 Iowa State HC Matt Campbell
Most times I feel like Iowa State gets overlooked sometimes but here is where they seem to get a ton of respect. I am a bit surprised to see Matt Campbell crack the top ten because there are some great coaches in the sport. Keep in mind what Campbell has built in Ames and this ranking starts to make more sense. It just goes to show you what he has meant not only to Iowa State but to the Big 12 in general.
#3 Lincoln Riley
No argument for me here. Only Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban were ahead of Lincoln Riley which I think is spot on. To me, Lincoln is still the best coach in the Big 12 conference.
