Dec. 1: Uncle Art would be perfect fit for A&M

(Image courtesy of StarTelegram)

All signs point to Kevin Sumlin being the next coach at Texas A&M, which isn't a bad hire. However, Art Briles would be a better hire.

Sumlin is winning at Houston with quarterback Case Keenum, a QB Briles recruited. Furthermore, last season when Keenum was injured Houston went 5-7 and were flat-out awful.

Briles knows the state, can recruit his butt off, has coached in Texas his entire career and would be the right man to lead the Aggies into the SEC.

Sumlin's a good hire, but Briles would be a great hire. It's not going to happen because Texas A&M isn't going to make the necessary call, but they should.

All signs point to Sumlin being the next guy in College Station, which is a symbolic hire and reason for the Aggie faithful to be encouraged. It's a HUGE step for the program to see the people in charge step out of their comfort zone when hiring a coach. Mike Sherman wasn't even interviewed before he was hired in large part because he fit the prototypical Aggie mold, had Aggie roots and embraced the traditions. 

Sherman's departure symbolizes Texas A&M taking a HUGE step toward getting with the times. It's good to see the outdated Aggie decision-makers' ideas finally being looked at as outdated in Aggie Land. 

Bear Myth

It's been comical to hear Baylor fans say Briles wont be the coach at A&M because he wouldn't leave Baylor for A&M. Comical for two reasons 1.) Before this season I didn't even know Baylor had fans 2.) Texas A&M is a much, much better coaching destination than Baylor.

The program that just arrived in the SEC would be a better coaching destination than the program that was on the edge of being conferenceless twice in the last two seasons. 

If it weren't for other teams in the Big 12 deciding to stay Baylor wouldn't even be in a BCS conference. Unless the Big East came calling. Furthermore, A&M's facilities > Baylor's facilities.

Briles isn't the coach at A&M because they didn't offer him the position, not because Waco is an ideal location for a college coach. There isn't a coach in America that thinks Baylor is a better job than A&M.

If you think Baylor is a better college football job than Texas A&M you either...

1.) Graduated from Baylor

2.) Don't follow college football

3.) Are only factoring in this season's results. Which would mean you ignored the 55-28 beat down the Aggies put on the Bears and would also mean you believe K-State is a better job than Texas and South Carolina a better job than Florida.

4.) Are just flat-out moronic 

Dec. 1: Ranking the best coaches in the Big 12

(Image courtesy of OrlandoSentinel)

No. 1: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

Stoops catches a lot of flack for losing the big game, but forgive me for not condemning a guy for losing title games to Nick Saban, Pete Carroll and Urban Meyer.

Stoops' best coaching job was in 2006 when he lost his starting QB Rhett Bomar before the season and Adrian Peterson early in the season and still won the Big 12 championship with Paul Thompson, a receiver the previous season, leading the team.

(Image courtesy of zimbio)

No. 2: Art Briles, Baylor

Doesn't get enough credit for what he has done in Waco. Baylor was the undisputed laughing stock of the Big 12 before he arrived in Waco. Furthermore, his impact at the University of Houston can still be seen this season.

A lot of people would argue RG3 deserves the majority of the credit for the turnaround in Waco, but consider the following...

1.) Briles has never has a problem finding quarterbacks. See: Kevin Kolb and Case Keenum

2.) It isn't like Griffin was a blue chipper, Briles discovered him. If it weren't for Briles Griffin may've been a safety somewhere. Contrary to popular belief, recruiting ability should come into play when evaluating college coaches, it isn't something that should be held against a coach. That's not a knock on Griffin's talent, but Briles has always handled quarterbacks well and deserves credit for giving RG3 the opportunity to play QB at the next level.

(Image courtesy of Exposay.com)

No. 3: Gary Patterson, TCU

Some people will argue that this is too low for Patterson, but I think it's a beyond generous ranking.

Patterson draws a lot of praise for competing at a high level despite not getting top-notch recruits, but you could make a strong case Patterson has had a significant advantage in recruiting during his tenure at TCU.

The reality is Patterson hasn't coached in a conference against teams that get top-notch recruits either. Furthermore, he recruits in the state of Texas, one of the best recruiting pipelines in the country. Quick, name one team in the Mountain West conference TCU doesn't have a recruiting advantage over.

With all that said there's no disputing Patterson can coach, but we will see how he does in the Big 12. Winning with less praise has been unwarranted at this point, but if Patterson competes in the top-tier of the Big 12 he deserves every ounce of credit throws his way and belongs at the top of this list.

(Image courtesy of State Impact)

No. 4: Mack Brown, Texas


Say what you want about Mack Brown and every advantage he may have in Austin, but he has done a great job at the University of Texas.

A lot of people knock Brown for having just one national championship, but there isn't a coach in college football that has more that two. You don't just fall out of a tree and land the job at Texas. Brown has three 10-win seasons at North Carolina and handles the extra duties and BS that comes with being a head coach at the University of Texas better than most could.

People are going to put people below Brown on this list above Brown with the popular "What would he do with those recruits" argument, but as I've already mentioned with those recruits comes extra baggage and responsibility. If it were simply about in-game coaching Brown might not be at No. 4, but it isn't.

(Image courtesy of Kansas.com)

No. 5: Bill Snyder, Kansas State

I Would like to eat crow on this one. When Snyder went back to Kansas State I unleashed an array of jokes and thought there was no way in hell Kansas State would make the jump they have in his second tenure.

The fact Kansas State is doing what they're doing and might be in the Cotton Bowl this season is nothing short of phenomenal.

Snyder's teams might not have top-notch talent, but they never beat themselves. Snyder could easily be higher on this list, but for whatever reason I find it difficult to rank him higher on the list. However, it shouldn't bother Snyder because 1.) He doesn't read this blog 2.) If he does... He has already shown he does his best work when everyone's counting him out.

(Image courtesy of CycloneFanatic)

No. 6: Paul Rhoads, Iowa State

His coaching is underrated, his speeches are overrated, but his teams with make up for limited talent by being scrappy and fighting until the very end.

(Image courtesy of ESPN)

No. 7: Mike Gundy, OSU

The facilities and recruiting have improved significantly in Stillwater, but until the Pokes take that next step Gundy is among the bottom-half of the coaches in the conference.

(Image courtesy of ESPN)

No. 8: Tommy Tuberville, TTU

Not a good start for Tuberville in Lubbock and if there isn't significant progress in year three the seat could be scorching hot.

(Image courtesy of Grantland)

No. 9: Dana Holgorsen, WVU

Young, fiery coach, but still unproven. Huge upside though.

(Image courtesy of BusinessInsider)

No. 10: Whoever is coaching at Kansas

Question: Why doesn't Mark Mangino get Mike Leach-like praise for the way in which the Kansas program has fallen apart since he left? You could argue that the Kansas drop in much worse than Tech's.

Dec. 1: TCU says goodbye to historic senior class

College Football Insider: TCU

Trey Fallon and Landry Locker of ESPN Dallas talk about TCU's upcoming game against UNLC, the legacy of the senior class and possible bowl scenarios for the Frogs.

ESPN Dallas TCU Cast

Dec. 1: OSU prepares for Bedlam

College Football Insider: Oklahoma State

Trey Fallon and Landry Locker of ESPN Dallas are joined by Justin Wilmeth of O-State Illustrated to discuss Oklahoma State's current standing in the BCS, if they should have a chance to appear in the title game, the impact weather could have on Bedlam and the importance of winning their first Big 12 title.

ESPN Dallas Bedlam Preview

Dec. 1: Time for A&M to move on

College Football Insider: Texas A&M

ESPN Dallas' Landry Locker and Trey Fallon are joined by TexAgs.com's Brandon Leone to discuss Texas A&M's heartbreaking loss to Texas, if putting Texas in the rear-view mirror is a good thing, bowl scenarios and the overall theme of the 2011 Texas A&M season.
A&M awaits bowl opponent 

Dec. 1: Not enough credit for Uncle Art in Waco

College Football Insider: Baylor

Trey Fallon and Landry Locker of ESPN Dallas are joined by David Smoak ESPN 1660 to discuss Robert Griffin's injury in the Bears win over Tech, if RG3 is getting too much credit and Art Briles isn't getting enough for Baylor's success and the upcoming game against the Texas Longhorns.

ESPN Dallas Baylor Cast

Dec. 1: OU trying to hang another banner

College Football Insider: Oklahoma

Landry Locker of ESPN Dallas is joined by Jake Trotter of Sooner Nation to discuss Oklahoma's win over Iowa State, Landry Jones' performance, Bob Stoops' uncanny damage-control ability and the Bedlam showdown against OSU.

OU Bedlam Preview