I'm back with the coach hiring grades and it is time for the real Big 3.
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/general/p/-cOh94hJfm4Q7c/2025-coaching-hiring-grades-link
Oklahoma State (2025 HC: Mike Gundy; 2026 HC: Eric Morris): B+
I am really happy about this one cause I was able to connect the dots and correctly predict Eric Morris will be a Poke. I love the hire, I love the coaching staff hiring, I love the transfer pickups. So why I am putting it B+ instead of A? I don't feel confident in instant success right away based off one good season. I think Morris is a great coach but will have to take some time to tweak a few things to figure out how to get Oklahoma State to the Big 12 Championship Game. I think eventually this will be a A hire in the next three to five seasons, just not after one season.
Utah (2025 HC: Kyle Whittingham; 2026 HC: Morgan Scalley): B
This is a pre-determined hire already before Whittingham even considered retiring. Morgan Scalley was suppose to be the coach in waiting back in 2018, but was called off due to some controversy of Scalley's that is obviously seen as minor now. A few years ago, maybe 2023, after Whittingham's contract was re-worked they put language in there that Morgan Scalley will be the coach in waiting taking over his alma mater. I really like the hire, but I am hesitant just because I don't know what to expect from a Morgan Scalley coached team. I get it he coached the bowl game but he was working off of like three days of preparation as the HC so I don't really count that. I want to see how he does, but I do have my full support in him.
Kansas State (2025 HC: Chris Klieman; 2026 HC: Collin Klein): B
Another hire I like and I want to see what he can do differently or surpass Klieman at his alma mater, but I am more concerned on what his team is going to be defensively. I think their offense will bounce back, but their defense was really shaky last season and he is bringing in a Elko assistant so I am curious to see the new defense more than anything.
Iowa State (2025 HC: Matt Campbell; 2026 HC: Jimmy Rogers): B
When you replace the greatest coach in program history, there is obviously big shoes to fill. I think Jimmy Rogers is the best coach they could go after. He brings experience as a HC and was able to win a championship at South Dakota State. I really like these Dakota schools and really like these teams hiring their HC's (Klieman to Kansas State, Matt Entz to Fresno State, Rogers to Washington State) cause they all bring this grit and edge and small town coaching feel that you don't really see from some of the bigger name coaches that try to copy the NFL style like Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day. It is going to be tough replacing Campbell, but I think Rogers will be fine.
There is my list for the Big 12. I got two more conferences left and then straight to the NFL. Let me know your thoughts down below!