Alumni Returns and New Directions
The Big 12 is undergoing its most significant coaching turnover in seven seasons, as eight programs replace their head coaches ahead of the upcoming campaign.
At Kansas State, former Heisman finalist Collin Klein steps back onto the sidelines, taking the reins of the team where he once dazzled as a quarterback and later served as an assistant.
Utah hired Morgan Scalley, the defensive mastermind who helped shape the Utes’ recent rise, to become the program’s new head coach, bringing a decade of Pac‑12 experience.
Iowa State announced Jimmy Rogers, who guided South Dakota State to an FCS national championship, as its new leader, highlighting his rapid ascent from the FCS ranks.
Eric Morris, celebrated for developing NFL‑caliber quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Cam Ward and Baker Mayfield, accepted the offensive coordinator‑turned‑head‑coach role at Oklahoma State, bringing a high‑octane passing attack.
These moves underscore a conference eager to blend tradition with fresh strategies, as former players and assistants step into leadership roles that could reshape the competitive landscape.