Coaching changes are inevitable at the college football level. Pete Tharmel of ESPN noted that there have been 72 coaching changes in the last three years, with a record 30 happening last year.
30 coaching changes also meant 30 new opportunities. ESPN put together a list of 30 names to keep in mind whenever head coaching jobs open up again -- three local Big 12 assistant coaches received nods.
Here’s who they were.
No. 8, Jeff Grimes -- Baylor, offensive coach
Baylor’s offense was in shambles after a 2-7 season in 2020. Grimes changed everything at Baylor, and led the Bears to a 12-2 season last year. Baylor scored eight more points per game. Grimes biggest hurdle, as noted by Thamel, is that he has an offensive line background. That’s uncommon for head coaches.
No. 10, Jeff Lebby -- Oklahoma, offensive coach
Brent Venables is better known for his defensive coaching. That could be a boon for Lebby, who now has the opportunity to separate himself as one of the best offensive coordinators and play callers in the nation with the Sooners. Lebby’s relationship with Dillon Gabriel should make for a high-scoring offense on paper. As far as a head coaching position, nobody from the Art Briles’ 2015 season at Baylor has become a head coach.
No. 17, Kasey Dunn -- Oklahoma State, offensive coach
Dunn’s first season as offensive coordinator with the Cowboys turned a top-two offense in the Big 12 and a star out of quarterback Spencer Sanders. The Cowboys were close to a College Football playoff berth too, if it weren’t for a loss to Baylor in the Big 12 title game.
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