Big 12 Coach of the Year

[Rods79]

Ok, I know this has been discussed ad nauseam, but we are now down to the final game in the Big 12 this year (sad...I know) with the championship game between Texas and Nebraska. The names being thrown around:

Mack Brown
Paul Rhoads
Bo Pelini
Mike Gundy
Bill Snyder

It seems to me that this year late season losses may work against coaches just like it does for teams and BCS games. Enter in Mike Gundy...here's a guy that did everything right (overtones from his infamous press conference) but expectations were on him to finish out strong and beat Oklahoma. Instead his team laid an egg. Now does this mean Gundy is out of the running? I would say probably, because of the way he lost and the expectations voters may have had for him going into that game. Should he be out...well that is a different story up for discussion.

After Gundy you have our very own Paul Rhoads very much in the discussion and is getting a lot of press for the award...which can only help. Not that I am biased, because truth be told I am very fond of our CPR, but it is going to be hard for me to see how Paul does not get this award. He leads the nation on +win margin for a first year head coach, and has done a lot with undersized talent and a team that was 2-10 a year ago. Sign him up voters!

Now some people are still clamoring about Bill Snyder's return to K-State...and I just don't get it...seriously. They've basically maintained their record from last season. Ok...so Bill Snyder can maintain, but honestly that is why they wanted him back in the first place. Some may say that he was in contention for the Big 12 North title this year and deserves the honor...such a weak argument IMO. Well, you can't just fall into an award like that based on what other teams are doing...that only works for bowl games (but you wouldn't know that would you, haha...Merry Christmas). Count him out voters! Anyone who is a Cat fan or sympathizer...don't bother convincing me out of it. Snyder does not deserve this award.

And there are a couple interesting prospects in the Texas/Nebraska championship game. Mack Brown will likely get past Nebraska and into the title game, also eliminating part of Pelini's bid for the COTY honors I would expect. What happens if Nebraska pulls off the upset? Is Pelini a lock? I would think he takes it if that happens.

What does everyone think? Also, does anyone know who votes on this and when the voting occurs and the award is given this year?

 

[d4nim4l]

It should go to Rhoads and then probably Pelini for keeping Nebraska from falling apart.

However, lip service will probably be paid to Brown or Snyder.

 

[psychlone99]

The AP will announce their COY before the championship game, so sometime this week. I can't remember if there is a separate award from the coaches.

 

[isuno1fan]

Mack Brown by a landslide IMO.

 

[WalkingCY]

it will go to Brown. Rhoads will be second. Usually how it works out for us.

 

[Ficklone02]

No way you can deny Mack this award. PR did a great job, but I just can't see giving the award to a coach who had a losing record in conference. I just don't see how you can do that.

 

[weR138]

And there are a couple interesting prospects in the Texas/Nebraska championship game. Mack Brown will likely get past Nebraska and into the title game, also eliminating part of Pelini's bid for the COTY honors I would expect. What happens if Nebraska pulls off the upset? Is Pelini a lock? I would think he takes it if that happens.

QUOTE]

Yes.

Sadly, I think Gene's relative success at Auburn hurts CPR since there will be the perception that Paul won because of Gene's talent upgrades, real or imagined.

Also, the voters who actually pay attention to ISU will know how close we were to winning the North which I think actually hurts CPR since they could say ISU "should have beaten" KSU and KU.

Barring an NU upset, I think it goes to Mack Brown even though it should be going to Paul Rhoads.

 

[psychlone99]

Mack Brown by a landslide IMO.

I can see the argument, obviously, but by a landslide??? I don't know how you can give a coach the award "by a landslide" for simply being on the verge of accomplishing what he was expected to accomplish, while another coach far exceeded what most expected him to accomplish.

Brown wouldn't surprise me, and I wouldn't get my panties in a bunch over it, but this award should be about exceeding expectations, IMO.

 

[dtclones]

Mack Brown by a landslide IMO.

Do you feel that way because you believe Brown deserves it more, or because he's the Texas coach and more popular than Rhoads? Just curious.

 

[CoachBob]

Mack Brown by a landslide IMO.

Assuming they win Saturday,,,, how do you not give it to him.... Agreed

 

[weR138]

No way you can deny Mack this award. PR did a great job, but I just can't see giving the award to a coach who had a losing record in conference. I just don't see how you can do that.

Actually, you're right. You can't give it to a coach with a losing record.

 

[CycoCyclone]

my argument is that no one did more with less than CPR and his staff. Mack Brown with a lot of the top athletes in the country won the Big XII, congrats.

 

[Ficklone02]

I think Brown deserves it more. He's done a great job coaching in the national spotlight....in other words, every game has had national implications, whereas none of our games were on such a scale. I think that matters. Kudos to PR, but the award should go to Mack.

 

[dtclones]

my argument is that no one did more with less than CPR and his staff. Mack Brown with a lot of the top athletes in the country won the Big XII, congrats.

In possibly the worst season the Big XII conference has seen at that...

 

[weR138]

my argument is that no one did more with less than CPR and his staff. Mack Brown with a lot of the top athletes in the country won the Big XII, congrats.

And you're right, but the COY still has to have a winning conf record, right?

 

[isuno1fan]

I can see the argument, obviously, but by a landslide??? I don't know how you can give one coach the award "by a landslide" for simply being on the verge of accomplishing what he was expected to accomplish, while another coach far exceeded what most expected him to accomplish.

Brown wouldn't surprise me, and I wouldn't get my panties in a bunch over it, but this award should be about exceeding expectations, IMO.

I don't think ISU "far exceeded" expectations. I'd say we slightly exceeded expectations. I'd say the offense did not exceed expectations and the defense slightly exceeded expectations. I'd also say we won 1 more game than most thought we would.

I love this staff and team, but in no way did we "far exceed" expectations. In fact, had we lost to Nebraska, I'd say most would say we met expectations.

Pelini is the only one that can steal it from Brown. If the vote is after the B12 championship game and Nebbie somehow pulls the upset then Pelini gets the award otherwise it is Brown in a runaway with Pelini, CPR, and Snyder all pulling about the same for 2nd place.

 

[dtclones]

And you're right, but the COY still has to have a winning conf record, right?

There is no defined rule that states that, but that would be understood as a guideline. I don't think any coach has won it with a losing conference record.

 

[jaretac]

In possibly the worst season the Big XII conference has seen at that...

This may have been the worse we have seen in a few years but in no way is it the worse.

 

[psychlone99]

Most outsiders would probably tell you that ISU far exceeded expectations. There were certainly ISU fans who thought 5 or 6 wins was possible, but most national pundits didn't have ISU pegged to do much better than last season.

 

[dtclones]

This may have been the worse we have seen in a few years but in no way is it the worse.

When has it been worse?