By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com PublisherFollow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
It looks like an Iowa native is about to become the Big 12’s next commissioner.
Former Iowa athletics directory and current Stanford athletics director Bob Bowlsby is that man. Bowlsby, a 60-year old Waterloo native, has reportedly been offered the job and all indications point to him accepting it. I can’t give you any hard-hitting analysis to what my thoughts are on this piece of information.
Does the fact that Bowlsby is a "former Hawk" bother me? Not in the least. People a lot smarter than me are making this decision. Sometimes it’s best just to trust them.
So no, I won’t come at you today with a plethora of instant reaction but there are some opinions floating around the Internet. Here are just a few:
— The Voice of the Cyclones John Walters tweeted: For Iowa State, It is exciting to think about Bob Bowlsby and Jamie Pollard on the same team. Two of the industry’s most respected leaders.
— Upon reading this news, I immediately asked for feedback from HawkeyeNation.com’s Jon Miller, a guy who follows the realignment scene as close as anybody I know. Jon tweeted: if B12 gets Bowlsby as commish, Home run. Don’t know how they could do better.
— A tweet from Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard: At Big 12 meetings in Phoenix. Best I have felt about the Big 12 in my seven years. Great things on the horizon for the Cyclones and Big12.
— CLICK HERE to read a blog written by Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman, who gives his initial thoughts on the potential hire.
— A guy who covered Bowlsby for years at the University of Iowa, Mike Hlas of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, gives his take.
— Blair Kerkhoff appears to like this potential hire via the Kansas City Star.
— And last but not least, in a recent tweet from Texas columnist Kirk Bohls: If Bob Bowlsby doesn’t accept Big 12 commish job, league may focus on ND AD Jack Swarbrick, Big 12 school official says.
Stay tuned.
FUTURE CYCLONES: Georges Niang and Nkereuwem Okoro will be teammates for the first time ever this weekend in the "Mary Kline Classic." CLICK HERE for details.
MATT THOMAS: According to multiple reports on Twitter, 2013 Iowa State basketball target Matt Thomas is now seeing interest from Texas and Louisville.
SOME EXTRA READING MATERIAL…
— West Virginia head football coach Dana Holgerson is a confident man. — David Ubben, ESPN.com
— Some information on what Texas Tech plans to do with its third-teir media rights. — Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
— Bill Fennelly added an Iowa native to his roster as a walk-on earlier this week. — Cyclones.com
— Former Iowa State women’s basketball star Kelsey Bolte is now a part of Drake’s coaching staff. — The Des Moines Register
— Former Iowa State women’s basketball assistant coach Jack Easley is now a part of the Oklahoma State coaching staff. — Oklahoma State
