Week 11 in the Big 12 didn’t just shake up the championship race — it might’ve shifted the job security landscape for several head coaches across the league. As we barrel toward the end of the regular season, every win or loss carries extra weight, especially for programs hovering around bowl eligibility or falling short of expectations. From coaches strengthening their grip on the sideline to others hearing the seat warm up beneath them, here’s a look at which Big 12 head men helped — and hurt — their job status this weekend.
Helped His Job Security
Brent Brennan, Arizona
Brent Brennan went a brutal 4-8 in Year 1 taking over from Jedd Fisch, but now he’s got this team to six wins and bowl eligible in Year 2. They’re 6-3 and have games left against Cincinnati, Baylor and Arizona State. None of these games will be a cakewalk, but I believe they can compete in each one of them, and win two of the three. Eight wins in Year 2 would be a great bounce back for Brennan. Barring a collapse, he is completely safe. And to think he came into the season with one of the hottest seats in college football. Let’s be honest, if I told you in August that James Franklin and Brian Kelly would be fired, while Brent Brennan is trending towards a 2026 return with ease, how would you have responded?
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
It might seem odd to have McGuire on this list, but remember he’s under incredible pressure based on how this team was built, the money spent, and the expectations. And since Tech already had a loss going into the game on Saturday vs. BYU, another loss would have made it that much more difficult for this team to make the College Football Playoff. Not that McGuire would have had a hot seat, but losing the biggest game in Lubbock in nearly 20 years would not have sat well. Instead, Tech rolled, and McGuire’s folk hero status continues on, for now.
Deion Sanders, Colorado
I’ll say this much about Coach Prime, after losing the last two games 105-24, at least Colorado was back in contention against an improving West Virginia team. And Prime turned to stud freshman JuJu Lewis at quarterback, which was a breath of fresh air. I’m not sure what Deion’s future holds, but seeing younger guys who will hopefully be a part of their future in Boulder play, and play well, is a good sign and something that was desperately needed after their last two outings.
Hurt His Job Security
Sonny Dykes, TCU
TCU had another ugly four quarter, blowing a 17-6 lead to lose the game to Iowa State. The loss takes TCU out of the Big 12 title race, which they were already on the outside looking in on. TCU had bad fourth quarters against Baylor and West Virginia, but they hung on to win both games. On Saturday, their fourth quarter woes finally bit them vs. Iowa State. And now, it is a third-straight season of disappointment in Fort Worth as the 2022 National Championship Game appearance continues to feel like a lifetime ago. I don’t know how much trouble he’s actually in, but the inconsistencies and sloppiness are continuing to hurt this team and it’s hard to see what the direction and defining qualities are for this program.
Lance Leipold, Kansas
Lance Leipold pulled Kansas out of the basement as the worst Power 4 program in America for a decade. But another tough loss for Kansas on Saturday at Arizona, with multiple questionable coaching decisions during the second half, has KU fans flummoxed. One may argue they’re getting a little ahead of themselves based on just how bad this program was. Then again, they have invested in a new stadium, facilities, NIL and more. Kansas’ loss now needs to win against Iowa State or Utah just to reach a bowl game. A second-straight 5-7 season without a bowl game would be a letdown for sure, but I don’t expect him to go anywhere, and nor should he.
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