Around the Big 12 Media Days: Vol. II

Inside Texas is at AT&T Stadium for the second day of Big 12 Media Days, which includes the latest from Kansas State, Central Florida, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, and Iowa State as we approach the 2023 season. 

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Kansas State Wildcats

Coach Chris Klieman returns to the scene of the his first Big 12 Championship last December. 

Klieman mentioned his program still strives to recruit 3-, 4-, and 5-year guys they can develop from the high school ranks in the transfer portal era. 

He also said Big 12 OL of the Year, Cooper Beebe, could have been playing in the NFL on Sundays, but instead he’s returning to lead Kansas State’s offensive line. 

Replacing Deuce Vaughn’s production remains one of the tallest tasks for the reigning Big 12 champs. 

Central Florida Knights

There might not be any program more excited to be in the Big 12 than UCF and head coach Guz Malzahn.

“The Big 12 is the deepest conference in college football,” said Malzahn. 

The Golden Knights have been on the rise as a college football program over the last few years. 

Malzahn remarked on the development of quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, whom he recruited in high school, then again in the NCAA Transfer Portal when Plumlee left Ole Miss. He also stated it’s not ideal for Plumlee to the lead the team in rushing again in 2023. 

Malzahn was asked if there needs to be more uniformity with state NIL laws.

“100%. We need some kind of salary cap or some kind of guidelines. It’s all over the place. Every coach in America would second that. It’s a competitive advantage for the schools that have the most money.”

Oklahoma Sooners

Coach Brent Venables opens with the positives from the Sooners defense in 2022. 

“We led the league in interceptions and tackles for loss,” said Venables. 

Venables said the Sooners didn’t do a good job of finishing games at the end of the season. They brought in 17 transfers for more depth and roster flexibility. 

“You learn a lot through failure. Winners respond. Winners come back a better version of themselves. Winners go right back at it and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do,” said Venables when asked about his learning curve after becoming a head coach. 

Linebacker Danny Stutsman has taken on more of a leadership role this Spring, and sees big things from Dillon Gabriel this fall. 

Venables spoke on the approach this off-season after finishing 6-7 in 2022. 

“There’s nothing we didn’t analyze since the end of the season and even during the season,” said Venables. 

Texas Tech Red Raiders

It’s always a positive day according to Joey McGuire. The second-year head coach radiates energy. 

McGuire mentioned the Red Raiders produced over 1,300 hours of community service.. 

“We lost Tyree Wilson,” said McGuire. “Don’t throw anything at me, but I think our D-line room is better.” 

McGuire had this to say about his QB room of Tyler Shough and Behren Morton, both of whom have wins in Big 12 play. 

“I feel like we have as good, if not the best quarterback room not only in the Big 12, but in the country.”

McGuire also became an ordained minister this Summer, and said he’ll be doing Tyler Shough’s wedding next Spring. 

From the fashion side, McGuire’s sport coat had an extra special inner lining dedicated to former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. 

Cincinnati Bearcats

Head coach Scott Satterfield is eager to get going in the Big 12, especially on offense. 

Satterfield mentioned he‘s changed things “a little bit” to keep up with playing in the Big 12 and all the points they’ll need to score to keep up. 

On the defense, Satterfield mentioned his defensive interior as a strength. 

Satterfield spoke about his players embracing the new staff members with eagerness. He also mentioned re-recruiting his current players, and hitting the transfer portal hard with 21 new additions to the Bearcats. 

Iowa State Cyclones 

The first question for Matt Campbell surrounded the gambling allegations with quarterback Hunter Dekkers and others. It’s still an ongoing investigation without certain results, per Campbell.

As for on the field, Campbell likes his squad in 2023 and knows improvement is on the way. 

“It takes no talent to take care of the football,” said Campbell, after being 103rd in the country last year in turnovers with 23. 

Campbell spoke about his love for Ames, and why he’s turned down jobs from bigger programs to stay at Iowa State. 

West Virginia Mountaineers 

Head coach Neal Brown begins with his disdain for the Big 12 preseason poll, which predicted a last place finish for the Mountaineers. 

“That bodes well for us,” said Brown, based on the media’s poor track record predicting the Big 12 in the past. 

On offense, Neal Brown said his returning offensive line has 132 starts under its belt as a unit. But that he’ll wait until fall camp to announce a starter at quarterback. 

Brown said he felt like the Mountaineers let the Pittsburgh game slip away last season, but has a sense like this year’s contest in Morgantown is a prime opportunity for redemption.