Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy isn't too keen about Big 12 expansion
Even though Big 12 expansion seems like an inevitability at this point, one league head coach has made it clear that he is not on board.
Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy told the Tulsa World’s Guerin Emig he doesn’t “understand” the conference’s approach to expansion. He was blunt about it, too.
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“I don’t understand expansion right now. I don’t know what we’re doing,” Gundy said. “I think right now we’re pretty much clueless.”
Last month, Big 12 presidents gave commissioner Bob Bowlsby the go-ahead to consider expansion candidates. Bowlsby said the league would consider adding two or four new members. ESPN reported Friday that adding two new members is more likely.
Houston is one school that has frequently been linked to expansion. Kansas State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel, a former head coach at UH, told the Wichita Eagle earlier this week that the Cougars would be “tough to beat in recruiting” if they joined the Big 12.
Oklahoma State pulls many recruits from the Houston area, so it’s no surprise Gundy echoed Dimel’s recruiting concerns. Houston would be the Big 12’s fifth member from Texas if it joins alongside Texas, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor.
“Anyone that’s not in Texas will have a more difficult time recruiting Texas if another Texas school gets in this league,” Gundy said.
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Gundy has other gripes beyond the recruiting trail. He is worried that choosing certain schools for their monetary value could sully the quality of play on the field.
From the World:
What ultimately chaps Gundy now is what chapped him back in March. If conference expansion is about cashing in, and nothing brings in the bonanza that football does, why aren’t football people being consulted more? Why is this process being left solely to presidents, chancellors, politicians and Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby?
“I’m real concerned about that, yeah. Sure am,” Gundy said. “At the end of the day there’s a lot of talk that can go on, but it’s going to come down to football. All the other things are really good, but if you can’t pay the bills, you get to move out of your house.”
While Gundy’s issues with Houston are clearly self-interested because of his success pulling players from recruit-rich Texas, his other point has some validity. It all depends on what schools the Big 12 presidents end up choosing, of course, but some of the candidates have little history of sustained success in football. Then again, schools like Kansas and Iowa State don’t either. In that respect, you’d think a rising program like Houston would be an attractive option. Unless they take your recruits.
Right, Mike?
For more Oklahoma State news, visit OStateIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
