By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Each week, Big 12 coaches have their weekly meetings with the media at their press conferences during the college football season. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda’s comments have already been posted. Rankings are from the AP & Coaches Polls. Here are some highlights elsewhere in the league. Quotes and notes are taken from those pressers if not specified elsewhere. All games are Saturday unless otherwise noted.
Lance Leipold, Kansas – The Jayhawks (2-0) play at Houston Saturday: The Jayhawks found a way to win in OT at West Virginia, 55-42. "As we know, this program struggled to get wins. Obviously first conference game and a road win, road wins are tough to begin with. As we know, this is a group that's been bruised mentally a lot and is starting to gain some confidence and believe in one another and confidence in the system and how we're going about it. And you know, this is one that you sure hope you're going to build upon. We've got a lot of games to play and got to go on the road again next week. But I'm very happy. I wanted to say, least I could, let them go in the locker room and celebrate."…Leipold’s name is among many that have come up for the Nebraska opening.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma – The No. 6/6 Sooners (2-0) play at Nebraska (1-2): Venables spoke of this meeting in this historic rivalry. "Well their fans are first-class. Every patch of grass in that stadium's going to be full. They're some of the most loyal and intelligent fans in college football. They're going to arrive early and stay late. No matter what, they're going to be there for their team, a lot of pride in that community. One of the cleanest stadiums you'll see everywhere. Wherever there's concrete, there's no debris, no nothing. That's always stood out to me. I grew up as a player in the late 1980s and early 90s and that was one of the best eras in Nebraska history.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State – The No. 8/7 Cowboys (2-0) play UAPB Saturday: The Cowboys have a tune-up against a SWAC team before conference play next week. “We’re a long ways away from being a sharp tool, as you know. So, we need practice. We need the practices. We still have youth, we have inexperience. We cut down mistakes considerably, but we still have more mistakes than what we would have on a very productive year per a week. So we’ve identified those.
We’ve come up with plans we think helps us to eliminate those as we move forward. And we need good practices this week.”
Neal Brown, West Virginia – The Moutaineers (0-2) play host to Towson Saturday:
West Virginia AD Shane Lyons gave Brown the dreaded vote of confidence following the OT loss to Kansas. “Everyone involved knows that the on-field results have not met expectations and absolutely no one is satisfied. “I know and deeply care that our fans are frustrated with the start of the football season, but so are our coaches and student-athletes, who have busted their tails getting ready for the year. As athletics director, I am as disappointed as the fans, but I see how much our coaches and players care and want to win and make our fans proud. Everyone involved knows that the on-field results have not met expectations and absolutely no one is satisfied. There are 10 games left in the season and the focus is still on getting the results that we all expect.”
Chris Klieman, Kansas State – The Wildcats (3-0) play host to Tulane Saturday: The Wildcats had the oddity of coming up with interceptions on four consecutive Missouri possessions. I didn't realize that they came in consecutive drives. But the fact that we were able to, even though we didn't convert on all those, and maybe didn't get the first down or didn't score, whatever it may be, it just stopped all the momentum that they had. I think it allowed us to run the football then in the fourth quarter but I thought Kobe Savage's was a big time play coming out, they are trying to take a shot, see if they can get a 95-yard touchdown, and that was what we couldn't give up. He makes a good play, Cincere Mason makes a phenomenal play, turning and flipping his hips and making a pick. And then with Nick and Deuce, part of it was the pressure we're continuing to get on the quarterback and those are impressive when you get four of them like that.”…Klieman’s name has also come up for the Nebraska opening.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State – The Cyclones (2-0) play host to Ohio Saturday: A report from CBS’ Dennis Dodds reported that Campbell may be one of the bigger targets for the Nebraska position. While the two jobs that he supposedly covets the most – Ohio State and Notre Dame – have someone in place, Campbell could seriously look at this position, Dodds speculates. Despite his first win over Iowa, there is the sense that Campbell has taken Iowa State as far as he can. Time will tell.
Joe McGuire, Texas Tech – The Red Raiders (2-0) are at No. 16/12 NC State Saturday: Fans threw plastic bottles and beer cans on to the field after Tech scored twice in the second quarter Saturday during the Houston game. "That was right before halftime," McGuire said, "so at halftime, the officials came (over) and the back judge said, 'Man, I nearly got hit.' They were pretty upset. I did ask them, did they take a drink if it wasn't open? He didn't think it was very funny at the time, because he was pretty (angry) that he nearly got hit.
“"I just don't understand what you get out of that. And it's not a tradition. Anybody and everybody understands the tortilla (throwing) deal, but the other stuff past that doesn't make any sense to me. I don't know why any Red Raider would put us in that situation."
Sonny Dykes, TCU – The Horned Frogs (2-0) have a bye Saturday: Dykes became the first coach since Dutch Meyer to win his first two games. That was in 1924 and 11 coaches ago. “There’s been a lot of good football coaches here,” Dykes said. “They’ve all made it better for the next one. I think that’s what we’re supposed to do when you take over a program. Dennis Franchione made it better for Gary Patterson and Gary Patterson made it better for me.
“I was lucky to get to come to TCU, and what it is now. We have a beautiful stadium, one of the best settings in college football, a great fanbase, and a commitment that is unquestionable to winning and being successful.”
Steve Sarkisian, Texas – The No. 21/20 Longhorns (1-1) play host to UTSA Saturday: It was tough 20-19 loss to No. 1 Alabama. But people were quick to point out how well Texas played as it was a three TD underdog. Sark still taking lessons from his former boss Nick Saban about all of the pats on the back. ““To quote my old boss (Saban), we’ve got to be careful of the rat poison of people telling us how good we are. A week ago, everyone told us how bad we were. Now, this week, everyone wants to tell us how good we are. We’ve got to quiet the noise outside of our building.
"I definitely wanted to address it (with the players), because I was getting calls and texts saying, ‘Hey, you guys are great.’ Well, thanks, but we’ve got more work to do. We’ve got to continue to improve. And that’s one of the challenges. Human nature tells you, ‘Oh good, I can relax now, because I’ve arrived.’ That’s why I used the term, ‘Better never rests.’ We have to strive to get better.’’
Publisher
Each week, Big 12 coaches have their weekly meetings with the media at their press conferences during the college football season. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda’s comments have already been posted. Rankings are from the AP & Coaches Polls. Here are some highlights elsewhere in the league. Quotes and notes are taken from those pressers if not specified elsewhere. All games are Saturday unless otherwise noted.
Lance Leipold, Kansas – The Jayhawks (2-0) play at Houston Saturday: The Jayhawks found a way to win in OT at West Virginia, 55-42. "As we know, this program struggled to get wins. Obviously first conference game and a road win, road wins are tough to begin with. As we know, this is a group that's been bruised mentally a lot and is starting to gain some confidence and believe in one another and confidence in the system and how we're going about it. And you know, this is one that you sure hope you're going to build upon. We've got a lot of games to play and got to go on the road again next week. But I'm very happy. I wanted to say, least I could, let them go in the locker room and celebrate."…Leipold’s name is among many that have come up for the Nebraska opening.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma – The No. 6/6 Sooners (2-0) play at Nebraska (1-2): Venables spoke of this meeting in this historic rivalry. "Well their fans are first-class. Every patch of grass in that stadium's going to be full. They're some of the most loyal and intelligent fans in college football. They're going to arrive early and stay late. No matter what, they're going to be there for their team, a lot of pride in that community. One of the cleanest stadiums you'll see everywhere. Wherever there's concrete, there's no debris, no nothing. That's always stood out to me. I grew up as a player in the late 1980s and early 90s and that was one of the best eras in Nebraska history.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State – The No. 8/7 Cowboys (2-0) play UAPB Saturday: The Cowboys have a tune-up against a SWAC team before conference play next week. “We’re a long ways away from being a sharp tool, as you know. So, we need practice. We need the practices. We still have youth, we have inexperience. We cut down mistakes considerably, but we still have more mistakes than what we would have on a very productive year per a week. So we’ve identified those.
We’ve come up with plans we think helps us to eliminate those as we move forward. And we need good practices this week.”
Neal Brown, West Virginia – The Moutaineers (0-2) play host to Towson Saturday:
West Virginia AD Shane Lyons gave Brown the dreaded vote of confidence following the OT loss to Kansas. “Everyone involved knows that the on-field results have not met expectations and absolutely no one is satisfied. “I know and deeply care that our fans are frustrated with the start of the football season, but so are our coaches and student-athletes, who have busted their tails getting ready for the year. As athletics director, I am as disappointed as the fans, but I see how much our coaches and players care and want to win and make our fans proud. Everyone involved knows that the on-field results have not met expectations and absolutely no one is satisfied. There are 10 games left in the season and the focus is still on getting the results that we all expect.”
Chris Klieman, Kansas State – The Wildcats (3-0) play host to Tulane Saturday: The Wildcats had the oddity of coming up with interceptions on four consecutive Missouri possessions. I didn't realize that they came in consecutive drives. But the fact that we were able to, even though we didn't convert on all those, and maybe didn't get the first down or didn't score, whatever it may be, it just stopped all the momentum that they had. I think it allowed us to run the football then in the fourth quarter but I thought Kobe Savage's was a big time play coming out, they are trying to take a shot, see if they can get a 95-yard touchdown, and that was what we couldn't give up. He makes a good play, Cincere Mason makes a phenomenal play, turning and flipping his hips and making a pick. And then with Nick and Deuce, part of it was the pressure we're continuing to get on the quarterback and those are impressive when you get four of them like that.”…Klieman’s name has also come up for the Nebraska opening.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State – The Cyclones (2-0) play host to Ohio Saturday: A report from CBS’ Dennis Dodds reported that Campbell may be one of the bigger targets for the Nebraska position. While the two jobs that he supposedly covets the most – Ohio State and Notre Dame – have someone in place, Campbell could seriously look at this position, Dodds speculates. Despite his first win over Iowa, there is the sense that Campbell has taken Iowa State as far as he can. Time will tell.
Joe McGuire, Texas Tech – The Red Raiders (2-0) are at No. 16/12 NC State Saturday: Fans threw plastic bottles and beer cans on to the field after Tech scored twice in the second quarter Saturday during the Houston game. "That was right before halftime," McGuire said, "so at halftime, the officials came (over) and the back judge said, 'Man, I nearly got hit.' They were pretty upset. I did ask them, did they take a drink if it wasn't open? He didn't think it was very funny at the time, because he was pretty (angry) that he nearly got hit.
“"I just don't understand what you get out of that. And it's not a tradition. Anybody and everybody understands the tortilla (throwing) deal, but the other stuff past that doesn't make any sense to me. I don't know why any Red Raider would put us in that situation."
Sonny Dykes, TCU – The Horned Frogs (2-0) have a bye Saturday: Dykes became the first coach since Dutch Meyer to win his first two games. That was in 1924 and 11 coaches ago. “There’s been a lot of good football coaches here,” Dykes said. “They’ve all made it better for the next one. I think that’s what we’re supposed to do when you take over a program. Dennis Franchione made it better for Gary Patterson and Gary Patterson made it better for me.
“I was lucky to get to come to TCU, and what it is now. We have a beautiful stadium, one of the best settings in college football, a great fanbase, and a commitment that is unquestionable to winning and being successful.”
Steve Sarkisian, Texas – The No. 21/20 Longhorns (1-1) play host to UTSA Saturday: It was tough 20-19 loss to No. 1 Alabama. But people were quick to point out how well Texas played as it was a three TD underdog. Sark still taking lessons from his former boss Nick Saban about all of the pats on the back. ““To quote my old boss (Saban), we’ve got to be careful of the rat poison of people telling us how good we are. A week ago, everyone told us how bad we were. Now, this week, everyone wants to tell us how good we are. We’ve got to quiet the noise outside of our building.
"I definitely wanted to address it (with the players), because I was getting calls and texts saying, ‘Hey, you guys are great.’ Well, thanks, but we’ve got more work to do. We’ve got to continue to improve. And that’s one of the challenges. Human nature tells you, ‘Oh good, I can relax now, because I’ve arrived.’ That’s why I used the term, ‘Better never rests.’ We have to strive to get better.’’
