​The Big 12 promises to be a brutal battleground in the 2025 season, with multiple contenders capable of claiming the conference crown, particularly given Texas Tech’s loss of its starting quarterback. Every year in the Big 12 brings surprise results in both directions, and the 2025 landscape is no exception. A program like Houston could shock some observers by winning 10 games, while a preseason favorite to contend for the conference title, such as Arizona State, might take a noticeable step back. That level of competitiveness, repeated week after week, makes coaching a demanding and dynamic task. Any Saturday could produce an upset, and that unpredictability complicates the task of assembling a consistent, successful season.
Among the league’s leaders are head coaches with a wide range of experience. The coaching ranks include veterans like BYU’s Kalani Sitake alongside younger, rapidly rising tacticians such as Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris, Utah’s Morgan Scalley, and Kansas State’s Collin Klein. Given the depth and diversity in the group, it’s plausible to argue that as many as eight of these 16 coaches could be in the running for the conference championship this year. With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports presents a ranking of all 16 Big 12 head coaches as the 2025 season approaches.
Collin Klein at Kansas State opens the ranking. In Klein’s first season, he inherits a program with high expectations but faces a steep learning curve regarding play-calling and leadership on game day. Morgan Scalley at Utah appears next, entering his first game with the Utes as the head man after a successful period as a coordinator, carrying the weight of expectations to translate past success into continued excellence. Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State begins his tenure with the Cyclones, stepping into leadership in a program still navigating the transition from previous regimes. Scott Frost at UCF brings a seasoned track record, having posted a 24–14 mark through his fourth season with the Knights, and he’s charged with applying that experience to the Big 12’s challenges.
Eric Morris, taking the helm at Oklahoma State, enters his first season and will be judged on how quickly he can install his system and secure buy-in from a roster built for immediate impact. Lance Leipold at Kansas holds a historically tough job, carrying a 27–35 record over six seasons and seeking to reshape a program’s trajectory in a conference known for its depth and talent. Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia brings a long storied career, with a 64–34 record over his ninth season, and continues to push WVU toward competitiveness in a demanding league. Dave Aranda at Baylor, entering his seventh season, has sustained a culture of resilience in Waco, aiming to translate that stability into sustained success on the field. Scott Satterfield at Cincinnati, amidst his fourth season, must demonstrate that Cincinnati’s development arc remains on track within the Big 12’s higher level of competition.
Deion Sanders at Colorado faces the unique challenge of balancing public expectations with the realities of a demanding conference schedule as he guides the Buffaloes through a period of transition. Brent Brennan at Arizona demonstrates steady progress, entering his third season with a record of 13–12 and aiming to push his program toward higher ceilings. Willie Fritz at Houston carries a track record of turning programs around and seeks to continue that trend in a league where every game matters. Sonny Dykes at TCU brings a proven, high-octane approach, with a 36–17 record across his fifth season, providing a blueprint for offensive success and strategic adaptability in a tough league.
Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State has produced a solid résumé, posting a 22–17 mark in his fourth season and bringing a fresh offensive mindset to the Sun Devils’ ambitions. Joey McGuire at Texas Tech moves into a new phase of his tenure, improving on a 35–18 record through five seasons and aiming to sustain the program’s upward trajectory after the loss of key players. Kalani Sitake, at BYU, sits atop the list with an accomplished 84–45 record over his 11th season, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven ability to build and maintain competitive teams in a demanding conference landscape.
In this ranking, Sitake’s position tops the list as he transitions from Kenny Dillingham’s former standing to renewed leadership and responsibility at BYU. Joey McGuire makes a notable leap from the middle of the pack to the second spot, signaling how quickly the perception of a coach’s impact can shift with continued success and program development. Meanwhile, Colorado’s Deion Sanders drops from a higher rung to No. 7, reflecting adjustments in expectations and the ongoing challenge of compiling a consistently competitive team in the Big 12.
This snapshot of coaching leadership underlines the fascinating mix of veteran savvy and fresh strategic thinking that will define the Big 12 in 2025. Each coach brings a distinct mix of experience, philosophy, and proven results, all contributing to a season that promises intense competition and dynamic, week-to-week storytelling on the national stage. For followers of college football, the 2025 Big 12 season is shaping up to be a showcase of tactical ingenuity, resilience, and the enduring unpredictability that makes the conference such an exciting proving ground.