Lance Leipold recalls realignment story while discussing Colorado move to Big 12

Lance Leipold could blink through his first three seasons at Kansas and the Big 12 will look completely different. Four members will be entering this season while two will be exiting at the end of 2023. And then there is Colorado, who will be in the conference by the time the Jayhawks kick a ball off in 2024.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum asked Leipold about Colorado’s move, with the head coach saying he has been following the news a bit. Instead, he provided some context on how the Big 12 found out Texas and Oklahoma would be leaving in favor of the SEC.

Just as everybody on the outside was stunned, the Big 12 seemingly was too. Funny enough, the news broke while former commissioner, Bob Bowlsby, was on a flight home following a meeting with Leipold shortly after he was hired.

“With the addition of Colorado, we’ve been able to follow that a little bit,” Leipold said during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. “As we say, more is to come. I don’t know. I just think Commissioner Yormark has done a tremendous job for us. Last year, securing the four new members that are joining us now.

“I was with our former commissioner, (Bob) Bowlsby — he had just stopped by to have an introduction meeting with me and by the time he landed back in Texas, the two schools that are departing had made their announcement. I know he was caught off guard.”

News of Texas and Oklahoma‘s departure broke at SEC Media Days in July of 2021. It truly rocked the college football world and turned out to be the beginning of a new wave of conference realignment. Not just for the SEC but the Big Ten and the Big 12.

Leipold is still confident in the direction of the Big 12, citing the success TCU had with the College Football Playoff and national championship appearance. He even gave some credit to his own program, raising the floor of the conference from a competitive standpoint.

“When you see the job TCU and Baylor a year ago and the stability in our conference,” Leipold said. “I think the way the Kansas Jayhawks played last year, it’s made this conference very competitive and tough from top to bottom.”

Whether or not the Big 12 is done expanding, Leipold said he did not know. He is, however, excited for the future of the conference and looking to continue Kansas’ rise.