Many teams are heading in the right direction, some are not. In Big 12 North Talk Radio's first blog posting on SB Nation, We will rank the Big 12 North Coaches here. The rankings are on a scale of 1-10 measured in three areas: past success as head coach, current record and outlook for the rest of the season, recruiting and outlook for the future of the program. We take the average and from there we rank 1-6 the coaches and determine their status in the program. Here is the rankings:
via petesonthehotseat.com
1. Bill Snyder - Kansas State
Past Success: 9
Current Success: 7
Future Success: 7
Average: 7.67
Bill Snyder is one of the greatest coaches of all time. To build a program like he did at K-State is remarkable and will most likely never be duplicated. Some questioned bringing the old man back to coach again but he obviously still has that ability to lead a college football program. He most likely won't coach them to a bowl game this season since Kansas State needs 7 wins to be bowl eligible but its not out of the question yet. The future of this program looks good with the commitment of 4 star Adam Davis and 4 star DeMarcus Robinson and the Addition of Chris Harper, the dual threat quarterback from Oregon. The future looks bright for the Wildcats.
2-6 after the jump
via www.columbiamissourian.com
2. Gary Pinkel
Past success: 9
Current Success: 5
Future Success: 7
Average score: 7
Gary Pinkel has won the north and represented the North in the Big 12 Championship. 30 wins in 3 years previous to this season is a remarkable feat with a record 12 wins in 2007. Currently the team is 4-3 with 3 conference losses. The Tigers may not win the north but the next 5 games are winnable. Win those 5 games, the Tigers are 9-3 and in a rebuilding year, that's huge. Blaine Gabbert, when healthy, looks better than Chase Daniel with his arm strength and mobility so the immediate future of the Tigers looks bright. Right now, the Tigers have a commit from 4 star quarterback James Franklin. He has been impressive to say the least. Also with commitments from Nick Demien and Jimmie Hunt, it looks to be an impressive class. Pinkel has had much success with the lesser known recruits but for the Tigers to take the next step, he needs to recruit better
via rankthatcoach.com
3. Mark Mangino - Kansas
Past Success: 8
Current Success: 6
Future Success: 6
Average score: 6.667
Mark Mangino came to a basketball school where no one really cares about football, it was more of a time killer before basketball began. Now its is a major draw on the campus thanks to Mark Mangino. Say what you want about his weight, but the man can coach. He lead the Jayhawks to a BCS Bowl in 07 but the reason he is not higher than Gary Pinkel is because Pinkel has more consistent winning the past three seasons averaging 10 wins per season to Mangino's 8.67 wins per season. Still, Mangino has gotten the right guys for his system and puts out a consistent winner. Currently, problem have arised on the defensive side of the ball for the Jayhawks and with the North race still up for grabs, the Jayhawks need to prove they are the dominant team in the North with victories over Nebraska and Missouri. Mangino's future success is going to depend on how well he can recruit the athletes in his own state and in Texas. He has got one commit in the Rivals.com Kansas top 5 in Geneo Grissom. Also got commitment from 4 star wide receiver Keeston Terry, they also have proven to get talent from bordering states (had an advantage because his dad play for KU). The future beyond Todd Reesing is questionable so they get a 6 because of the questions in the future for KU's offense
via theredzonereport.com
4. Bo Pelini - Nebraska
Past success: 7
Current Success: 5
Future Success: 7
Average score: 6
Bo Pelini was one of the hot new coaches coming out in 2007. He was the LSU defensive coordinator for the National Championship team. Bo was brought in to fix a terrible defense and he did just that. The 2008 Cornhusker defense was one of the best in the Big 12 and its the best defense in the Big 12 right now if you ask for my opinion. The problem is the offense. The Huskers were able to move the ball against the cyclones but poor discipline football by the offense turning the ball over 8 times is unacceptable. Add in their performance against Texas Tech and you wonder if the Huskers can compete with this offense. The defense is amazing and Bo gets the credit for that but the offense is horrible and Bo gets the blame. the Husker have an advantage, they already beat Missouri and get Kansas State at Home. But without an offense, it maybe a tall task to get the north championship.
via gazetteonline.com
5. Paul Rhoads
Past Success: 5
Current Success: 5
Future Success: 6
Average: 5.333
Paul Rhoads was born ten minutes away from Jack Trice Stadium. He is an Iowa man. He is perfect for the Cyclones. He gets a 5 for what he is doing now in Ames and what he did at Auburn. He already has a signature win against Nebraska and is one win away from bowl eligibility. He has a good recruiting class with mostly three stars and out of the 16 commitments, 9 are three stars. Last year, they only had 10 three stars in th entire class. Paul Rhoads has his work cut out for him. Its tough to build a powerhouse at Iowa State. Even Dan McCarney had only 5 winning seasons in Ames. To do this in his first year is amazing. Great things are expected of him, but until he accomplish it, he is 5th on our list.
via jbjsports.files.wordpress.com
6. Dan Hawkins - Colorado
Past success: 4
Current Success: 2
Future Success: 3
Average: 3
Well this sure isn't intramurals Dan Hawkins, but your team is about as good as an intramural team at Texas. Youth seems to be the excuse for Hawkins but he has been there since 2006 and it still doesn't work. He has some success with a Independence bowl birth in 2007 but thats it. He has gotten some talent to Boulder but if you can't coach, you can't win. Most if not all Big 12 north teams want to keep Hawkins around, and with the money problem the CU athletic department is having, they may get their wish.
