SbOrOiNaEnR
7/16/2008, 03:07 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
An old adage in sports is that the best athletes typically aren't the best coaches. Something about learning to overcome limitations is thought to develop acumen among many journeyman players. It's presumed that it's something star players don't possess.
With that in mind, here's a subjective ranking of the college careers of the 12 current Big 12 head coaches.
1. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: A four-year starter at Oklahoma State, he remains the most decorated quarterback in school history.
2. Gary Pinkel, Missouri: Two-time all-conference tight end and an honorable mention All-American at Kent State.
3. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: Four-year starter at defensive back at Iowa, including two seasons as an All-Big Ten selection and an honorable mention All-American selection as a senior.
4. Bo Pelini, Nebraska: Four-year letterwinner at free safety at Ohio State, including three-time selection to the Academic All-Big Ten team. As a senior, he won the "Bo Rein Award" given annually to the most inspirational Buckeye player.
5. Mack Brown, Texas: Two-year letterman as a running back at Florida State whose career was cut short by knee injuries. He started his college football career at Vanderbilt.
6. Art Briles, Baylor: Played wide receiver at Houston, cracking the playing rotation for the 1976 team that made the Cotton Bowl in its first season in the Southwest Conference.
7. Dan Hawkins, Colorado: Bullish blocking fullback was a four-year letterman at California-Davis.
8. Ron Prince, Kansas State: Played two seasons at Appalachian State after two seasons as an all-conference tackle at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College.
9. Mike Sherman, Texas A&M: Played defensive end and offensive tackle at Central Connecticut State University.
10. Gene Chizik, Iowa State: His career as a linebacker ended prematurely at Florida after he contracted an unusual career-ending illness that doctors initially feared was colon cancer.
11. (tie) Mike Leach, Texas Tech: Didn't play college football, spending much of his time playing club rugby and observing LaVelle Edwards' practices at BYU.
11. (tie) Mark Mangino, Kansas: Didn't play college football at Youngstown State.
It's easy to be the most prolific passer in Aggy history when defenses are constantly planning to stop the run with Barry Sanders in the backfield. PA Fade, PA Cross, PA Post...dropped pass in the end zone. And I'm sure Mark Mangino ate some players along the way...does that count for anything?
An old adage in sports is that the best athletes typically aren't the best coaches. Something about learning to overcome limitations is thought to develop acumen among many journeyman players. It's presumed that it's something star players don't possess.
With that in mind, here's a subjective ranking of the college careers of the 12 current Big 12 head coaches.
1. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: A four-year starter at Oklahoma State, he remains the most decorated quarterback in school history.
2. Gary Pinkel, Missouri: Two-time all-conference tight end and an honorable mention All-American at Kent State.
3. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: Four-year starter at defensive back at Iowa, including two seasons as an All-Big Ten selection and an honorable mention All-American selection as a senior.
4. Bo Pelini, Nebraska: Four-year letterwinner at free safety at Ohio State, including three-time selection to the Academic All-Big Ten team. As a senior, he won the "Bo Rein Award" given annually to the most inspirational Buckeye player.
5. Mack Brown, Texas: Two-year letterman as a running back at Florida State whose career was cut short by knee injuries. He started his college football career at Vanderbilt.
6. Art Briles, Baylor: Played wide receiver at Houston, cracking the playing rotation for the 1976 team that made the Cotton Bowl in its first season in the Southwest Conference.
7. Dan Hawkins, Colorado: Bullish blocking fullback was a four-year letterman at California-Davis.
8. Ron Prince, Kansas State: Played two seasons at Appalachian State after two seasons as an all-conference tackle at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College.
9. Mike Sherman, Texas A&M: Played defensive end and offensive tackle at Central Connecticut State University.
10. Gene Chizik, Iowa State: His career as a linebacker ended prematurely at Florida after he contracted an unusual career-ending illness that doctors initially feared was colon cancer.
11. (tie) Mike Leach, Texas Tech: Didn't play college football, spending much of his time playing club rugby and observing LaVelle Edwards' practices at BYU.
11. (tie) Mark Mangino, Kansas: Didn't play college football at Youngstown State.
It's easy to be the most prolific passer in Aggy history when defenses are constantly planning to stop the run with Barry Sanders in the backfield. PA Fade, PA Cross, PA Post...dropped pass in the end zone. And I'm sure Mark Mangino ate some players along the way...does that count for anything?