New Year's Resolutions: Big 12 Coaches Edition

Happy New Year! The year 2020 is leaving us forever and 2021 is finally here. Here’s hoping it will be a better year. To be fair, it doesn’t have that far to go to be better. For one, there is not an election to pay attention to so that always makes things better.

What better opportunity to take a look at what each of the Big 12 Football coaches should resolve to do in 2021, the new as well as the vets. 

Dave Aranda, Baylor: An offense that matches his defense.

The search for the OC has concluded with Jeff Grimes and the two goals are clear. A play-caller who matches those plays to his talent and an OC who develops players. If I were to add a third tier, it would be for someone with a sharp eye for offensive line talent. Someone who can find diamonds in the coal. It appears Grimes fits this mold, so Coach Aranda is off to a good start.

Steve Sarkisian, Texas: Development.

The Horns can only win if Sark develops what they have on campus. That’s been an issue over the past 2 coaches and maybe even a little at the end of Mack Brown’s tenure. Recruiting is not an issue. They can get good players. The problem is that they don’t get any better over the 4 years. Whether Steve Sarkisian is the man to do this will remain to be seen, but if he does not realize that this is the number one issue, we will be having this same conversation in 3-4 years. 

Chris Klieman, Kansas State: Development of play makers. 

If the Wildcats had been able to avoid the swath of injuries and COVID that all hit at once, I think they would have finished out much stronger. That being said, if Chris Klieman wants to see growth, he is going to need more than one play maker. You add some more speed to that discipline, and watch out.

Matt Wells, Texas Tech: DIRECTION.

Yes, I put that in all caps. Because the Red Raiders don’t seem to know where they are going. Maybe Sonny Cumbie can point them in some sort of direction on offense. Maybe they can develop on defense. But the writing is already on the wall for Matt Wells, the west Texans are unhappy with your output so far. Your resolution better work.

Gary Patterson, TCU: An offense that you can tolerate.

So far this seems to evade Coach P most years. He was happy with Sonny Cumbie, until he wasn’t. TCU needs the same thing at OC that Baylor does. Development and sharp play calling. But they also need an OC who can keep his all defensive minded coach happy. 

Matt Campbell, Iowa State: The next step.

I am reminded of the final scene of the late 90s classic American Pie, where our principal characters toast to the next step in their lives. This should be matt Campbell’s resolution. To take the next step. This season was as close as they have come, but they need to actually win won of those pesky conference titles. 

Neal Brown WVU: Growth.

The Mountaineers look like they are about to be a threat to a lot of teams in the Big 12. More players and more time in the system and I think they will be very formidable. 

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma St: A better haircut. (I kid!) Consistency.

Either you are going to be good or you aren’t. And the Pokes have been might inconsistent over the last few years. It makes one wonder if Gundy has gotten all he can out of that team and it’s time for both to take on new challenges. Given his rocky offseason in 2020, it would not surprise me to see Mike Gundy spread his wings and fly away from home after 2021.

Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma: A CFP win.

I can’t be more blunt than that. It’s time for the Sooners to break through. An improved defense and a blowout win over an SEC team to end the 2020 campaign seem to have them pointed in the right direction. But they have to CLOSE.

Les Miles, Kansas: Anything good.

Just anything. To be specific here is too challenging. The Jayhawks need ONE thing to go their way. Just one. 

Every coach can make something better. And we’ll see who sticks to their resolutions and who eats a big bag of candy on March 1.

Happy New Year!