Spring football is underway all across the Big 12, and while there are still months between us and the 2025 regular season, there is anticipation building for another crazy year.
The conference race will be as wide open as ever, as more than half the Big 12 could make an argument for why they should be the favorites to lift a trophy in Arlington come December.
However, the reality of the situation is, only one team can win it, and many times it comes down to the man in charge. College football coaches face more pressure now than ever before, but the Big 12 has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the best names in the game.
Recently, we asked Grok (after a couple of refinements) to rank the Big 12 head coaches from best to worst and why. Here’s what it said.
1. Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State)
- 2024 Record: 11-2
- Career Record: 14-11 (at Arizona State)
- Analysis: Dillingham led Arizona State to an 11-2 season, winning the Big 12 Championship and earning a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth. Turning a 3-9 team into a conference champion in his second year marks him as the top coach in the Big 12.
2. Kalani Sitake (BYU)
- 2024 Record: 11-2
- Career Record: 72-43 (at BYU)
- Analysis: Sitake’s 11-2 season included an Alamo Bowl win over Colorado. His consistent success (three 10+ win seasons since 2020) and ability to rebound from a 5-7 2023 season solidify his high ranking.
3. Matt Campbell (Iowa State)
- 2024 Record: 10-3
- Career Record: 64-51 (at Iowa State)
- Analysis: Campbell achieved Iowa State’s first 10-win season, finishing with a Pop-Tarts Bowl win. His 64-51 record at a historically tough program keeps him near the top.
4. Deion Sanders (Colorado)
- 2024 Record: 9-4
- Career Record: 36-15 (including Jackson State)
- Analysis: Sanders improved Colorado from 4-8 to 9-4, reaching a bowl game. His ability to elevate the program with star talent places him in the upper echelon.
5. Chris Klieman (Kansas State)
- 2024 Record: 8-5
- Career Record: 56-29 (at Kansas State)
- Analysis: Klieman’s 8-5 season follows a 2022 Big 12 title. His 35-17 Big 12 record and four FCS championships at North Dakota State keep him strong.
6. Kyle Whittingham (Utah)
- 2024 Record: 5-7
- Career Record: 162-79 (at Utah)
- Analysis: A 5-7 season, impacted by injuries (e.g., Cam Rising), drops Whittingham, but his 162 wins, 11 bowl victories, and two Pac-12 titles maintain his stature.
7. Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
- 2024 Record: 3-9
- Career Record: 188-91 (at Oklahoma State)
- Analysis: Gundy’s worst season (3-9, 0-9 in Big 12) hurts, but his 188 wins and 13 double-digit win seasons preserve his ranking.
8. Lance Leipold (Kansas)
- 2024 Record: 5-7
- Career Record: 184-73 (all levels)
- Analysis: Leipold’s 5-7 season was a step back from two bowl years. His 22-28 Kansas record and overall success (six Division III titles) suggest potential.
9. Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia)
- 2024 Record: N/A (at West Virginia); 9-4 at Jacksonville State
- Career Record: 172-126-2 (FBS only)
- Analysis: Rodriguez starts anew at West Virginia after a 27-10 run at Jacksonville State (2022-2024). His 60-26 prior stint at WVU (2001-2007) gives him a mid-tier spot.
10. Joey McGuire (Texas Tech)
- 2024 Record: 8-5
- Career Record: 23-16 (at Texas Tech)
- Analysis: McGuire’s 8-5 season with a bowl win shows progress. Three straight above-.500 Big 12 years keep him competitive.
11. Willie Fritz (Houston)
- 2024 Record: 4-8
- Career Record: 215-126 (all levels)
- Analysis: Fritz’s 4-8 debut at Houston was tough, but his 23-4 Tulane run (2022-2023) hints at future improvement.
12. Sonny Dykes (TCU)
- 2024 Record: 8-5
- Career Record: 97-77 (FBS only)
- Analysis: Dykes rebounded to 8-5 after a 5-7 2023, though he’s inconsistent since the 2022 CFP runner-up finish.
13. Scott Frost (UCF)
- 2024 Record: N/A (at UCF); 4-8 under Gus Malzahn
- Career Record: 35-45 (FBS only)
- Analysis: Frost returns to UCF (19-7, 2016-2017) after a 16-31 Nebraska stint. His past success at UCF offers hope, but he’s unproven in 2025.
14. Scott Satterfield (Cincinnati)
- 2024 Record: 5-7
- Career Record: 81-55 (FBS only)
- Analysis: Satterfield’s 5-7 season follows a 3-9 debut. Cincinnati’s lack of progress keeps him low.
15. Dave Aranda (Baylor)
- 2024 Record: 5-7
- Career Record: 28-32 (at Baylor)
- Analysis: Aranda’s 5-7 record continues a decline since the 2021 Big 12 title (12-2). He’s struggling to regain form.
16. Brent Brennan (Arizona)
- 2024 Record: 4-8
- Career Record: 38-56 (FBS only)
- Analysis: Brennan’s 4-8 season with a talented Arizona roster disappointed. He’s at the bottom until he proves himself.
