What was so egregious that was said on air about sweet Lincoln?

Welcome to Notre Dame. Now do what the other guy couldn’t – win a national championship.​

The Notre Dame head coaching gig is one of those jobs.

It’s like being the manager of the Yankees, or the head basketball coach at UCLA or Kentucky or North Carolina, or the host of The Tonight Show.

It’s the job that every coach would at least think about for a moment or three – even if it’s not realistic to take.

Every coach.

It’s the job that every coach knows would’ve made a teary-eyed Dad go (in full Ned Beatty voice), “Hey, you guys … my son’s going to coach at Notre Dame!”

No, Notre Dame hasn’t been able to land the biggest of coaching whales over the last several years for a variety of reasons – arrogance, low-ball offers, recruiting concerns – and it’s absolutely more about the name of the place than the reality of the program compared to other powerhouses, but it’s still Notre Dame.

And as Brian Kelly showed, you really can win and win big there.

Maybe it fills a lifelong dream for some coach to be the guy who restores the national championship glory. Maybe it’s a guy who grew up whistling the Notre Dame fight song.

Or maybe it’s because it appeals to the ego among the most egotistical guys on the planet.

It’s one of those jobs that has so much prestige and so much Notre Dameyness that there’s no coaching candidate who’s too wacky of a call.

Really, would you be totally shocked if Dabo Swinney was announced as the next Notre Dame head coach?

Honestly, if Mike Tomlin wanted the job, would you be any more stunned than you were when Lincoln Riley took his talents to USC instead of the NFL?

Urban Meyer could absolutely leave movies and go back to TV with the right offer.

My running actually-happened-anecdote that every giant program thinks it can get a Harbaugh, any Harbaugh, actually fits here.

If we lived in a right and just world, Lane Kiffin would take his train up to South Bend.

Or it could be Josh Heupel. Or it could be Bob Stoops. Or it could be Mark Stoops.

Really, does 70-year-old Pete Carroll seem like a guy who’s all that keen on spending the next few years rebuilding the Seattle Seahawks?

So by the time you’re reading this, some big name from somewhere that you’d never suspect will probably be the hot rumor.

However, knowing that the school could try going for an A-lister to keep up the arms race – (cough) USC (cough) – here are the five most likely main candidates for Notre Dame head coaching job.

5 Top Notre Dame Head Coaching Candidates​

5. Dave Clawson, Wake Forest​

Here’s your head coach who actually can bring the decided schematic advantage.

All the guy has done is take Wake Forest to the ACC Championship with one of the most dynamic and fun offenses in college football.

Six straight bowl games, five winning seasons in the last six, and he has done it all at one of the toughest academic institutions in FCS college football.

4. PJ Fleck, Minnesota head coach​

He’s young, he’s 100 miles per hour all the time, and he’s the hope to get another Minnesota head coach – Lou Holtz the last one – to take the Irish to a national title.

His teams have had some puzzling performances – seriously, the Bowling Green loss? – but they’ve been tough, they run well, and he’s widely seen as one of the bigger Next Job Up hires.

However, he’s very, very PJ Fleck. He might not wake up the echoes, but he’d wake up something.

3. Matt Campbell, Iowa State head coach​

You don’t come up with four straight winning seasons at Iowa State without knowing how to do something right.

Here’s the problem. He was the hot coach after last year.

This year’s Iowa State team had everyone back, it came into the season with a ton of high expectations, and it was an okay run. 7-5 was fine, but Baylor is playing for the Big 12 Championship – that’s Iowa State’s spot if it’s not Oklahoma or Texas.

He’ll eventually be a great get when he decides he’s ready to take on a bigger-name gig, but USC just got Lincoln Riley. That’s the level of sizzle the Irish base will want.

However, if the idea is to get in on the hot stock before it blows up massive …

2. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame defensive coordinator​

He’s only 35, he has never been a head coach before, and …

Try to find anyone around the Notre Dame football world that doesn’t think he’s soon going to be a superstar.

He helped make the Irish defense into a brick wall this season after helping to turn the Cincinnati D into a powerhouse under Luke Fickell.

The continuity would be there with him, the energy would be off the charts, and as long as there’s a little bit of a grace period allowed considering his lack of head coaching experience, the payoff might be there.

However, the more likely scenario is that he takes the job left open by his old boss, and the next Notre Dame head coach is …

1. Luke Fickell, Cincinnati head coach​

If it’s not Oklahoma that gets Fickell, it’s Notre Dame – it’s the better fit.

Mediocre in his one year as the Ohio State head coach, he got his shot at Cincinnati, struggled for a year, and then … boom

33 wins and counting in his last four seasons, he has the program on the cusp of a historic season and a spot in the College Football Playoff, and look out if and when he gets his chance to use his recruiting skills at a place like Notre Dame.

It might take a week or so to see where Cincinnati is in the CFP picture, but he might quickly become the main target no matter what happens against Houston.

Whats up with Caleb Entinne ? In spring we heard that Springfield and Entinne were battling it out with one another but Caleb needed more time. I would think if it was that close and the new 4 game and you can still redshirt rule that we might see him a few snaps here at the end of the season. Is he still good to go?

Nothing compares to this in terms of someone who has lived in the OKC/Edmond area all of my life. This is a beautiful early Xmas gift. It changes EVERYTHING in terms of how the OU program will be seen for a few years. No longer can they assume OU is a top 4 job in the country, EVEN BETTER THAN MANY NFL jobs as the local media spews. The reality of staring down Bama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, and A&M every year in the SEC looks daunting now. And that does not include other SEC programs that can step up from year to year. Sure, the SEC is bad at the bottom and even at the middle at times, but their success in the CFP exists.

I just talked to an OU alum that is a really good guy and has a source he feels is pretty good, he said Lincoln has burned down the program. That this kills them going in to the SEC, will take some time for OU to recover. He was just honest, said it is the worst thing that could of happened especially with the SEC looming.

He said this contact told him Lincoln wanted SEC type things - Bigger recruiting budget, more analysts (Bama has like 20), more salaries for assistants, etc... Basically he had a laundry list of what was needed financially to compete in the SEC. Said his demands was not all about him.

He said the new Prez and Joe C said no, and the person really pissed about this is Harold Hamm. That neither the Prez or Joe C called Harold and gave him the option to help out, was he in or out? He said Hamm is really pissed right now and that Joe C is not being worshipped in Sooner land. How in the hell can OU not afford in upping their budget knowing their TV revenues are going to double? Does OU really have the commitment needed for the SEC? Are they hurting that bad financially? He said I am afraid OU has an administrative problem and right now I am not a fan of Joe C.

Just curious, how many Bedlam wins are these events worth? I am thinking on the low side 5. If OU ends up being down for a decade or more in the SEC it could spell big trouble for them. AND, can you see OSU parlay this in to getting more recruits out of Oklahoma and Texas?

Beating ou is always sweet. In this case it was just one step in a bigger process. I hope the players can center their focus on a good Baylor team that is physical, run oriented team. It'll be hard for them to get past this win as the students and fans won't let them forget it easily. Our experience and maturity should help. We can't lay an egg and win. Our margin for error is still small.

Any news on how the team injury status is? Most notably Warren and Sills

Enjoy your 6-6 seasons OU.

Who should top OU football's coaching search? Start with former Baylor coach Matt Rhule​

Berry Tramel
Oklahoman

1. Matt Rhule​

Most impressive coach/personality I’ve ever been around. Before Rhule ever coached a game at Baylor, he was a home run. Then he coached the rebuilding Bears to greatness in a short time. Rhule, 46, is in his second season with the Carolina Panthers, but he has no quarterback, and maybe Rhule’s infatuation with the National Football League, like Nick Saban’s and Bobby Petrino’s, is short-lived.

2. Shane Beamer​

If Beamer still was on the OU staff and had not taken the South Carolina job last December, I think he already would have been named Riley’s successor. A tremendous people person, an obvious leader, great football pedigree. And now Beamer, 44, has proven he can be an effective head coach, having taken South Carolina to a 6-6 season when 3-9 seemed more likely.

3. Brent Venables​

OU has a long history of hiring assistant coaches. Since World War II, Howard Schnellenberger is OU’s only hire who already was a head coach. Venables, 50, was a massive part of Bob Stoops’ glorious turnaround in 1999, spent 13 years on the Sooner staff, then went to Clemson and has produced some of the best defenses in college football. Venables has rebuffed many offers. But OU is different. Coming from the House of Stoops at this troubled time would be quite comforting to Sooner Nation.

4. Matt Campbell​

Iowa State’s Bill Snyder. Campbell, 42, has made the Cyclones a Big 12 contender and is the total package.

5. Luke Fickell​

The Cincinnati head coach, 48, is winning big, probably headed to the College Football Playoff. He’s an Ohio State guy — player and assistant and even interim head coach — and I don’t see how that’s a bad thing. Fickell is a proven winner at the mid-major level and headed to a Power 5 Conference job, whether or not he stays at Cincinnati.

6. Mark Stoops​

The youngest of the Brothers Stoops, 54, has done a tremendous job at Kentucky. And I'm telling you, the House of Stoops is a better-looking concept than ever before.

7. Bob Stoops​

I don't think Stoops wants back in the cauldron at age 61. Tik-Tok and Name/Image/Likeness is not Stoops' bag. But the guy is a great coach, a great competitor and has proven he's the ultimate Sooner.

8. Cale Gundy​

Gundy, 47, has been around as a player or coach for more OU victories than anyone in Sooner history. He’s never been a coordinator, but he’s a Sooner loyalist, is a long-time superb recruiter and has credibility state-wide. Arkansas’ success with career assistant coach Sam Pittman should make schools take a look at coaches like Gundy.

9. Dave Aranda​

The Baylor head coach, 45, is on Matt Rhule Boulevard, having the Bears soaring quickly. He was defensive coordinator on LSU's 2019 team; going to OU would get Aranda back in the SEC without having going back to Baton Rouge.

10. Joe Brady ​

Rhule's offensive coordinator with the Panthers, 32, was a sensation as the offensive coordinator on Louisiana State's 2019 national title team. He probably could have the LSU head coaching job, but he might prefer OU.

11. Chris Petersen​

Great at Boise State, great at Washington. Does Petersen want to get back into head coaching at age 57?

12. Dan Lanning​

Just 35, Lanning is Georgia’s defensive coordinator and a budding star. He’s from North Kansas City and went to William Jewell College but has skyrocketed. Now he’s running Kirby Smart’s defense.

13. Greg Schiano​

As good a pick as any as college football's best coach. Schiano, 55, is turning around Rutgers for the second time. Schiano has no ties in this part of the country, but he would do well anywhere he coaches.

14. Mario Cristobal​

The Oregon head coach, 51, is a wondrous recruiter and has the Ducks back on the upswing. He didn't seem like a good fit at Oregon, but he has been. The same could be true at Oklahoma.

15. Mike Leach​

Leach, 60, is an odd duck. He's not particularly adept at getting along with administrators, so Joe Castiglione couldn't be real excited about the prospect. But Leach can coach. He won at Texas Tech. He won at Washington State. He's winning at Mississippi State. And he was part of the Stoops Renaissance as a one-year offensive coordinator in 1999.

11. Chris Petersen​

Great at Boise State, great at Washington. Does Petersen want to get back into head coaching at age 57?

12. Dan Lanning​

Just 35, Lanning is Georgia’s defensive coordinator and a budding star. He’s from North Kansas City and went to William Jewell College but has skyrocketed. Now he’s running Kirby Smart’s defense.

13. Greg Schiano​

As good a pick as any as college football's best coach. Schiano, 55, is turning around Rutgers for the second time. Schiano has no ties in this part of the country, but he would do well anywhere he coaches.

14. Mario Cristobal​

The Oregon head coach, 51, is a wondrous recruiter and has the Ducks back on the upswing. He didn't seem like a good fit at Oregon, but he has been. The same could be true at Oklahoma.

15. Mike Leach​

Leach, 60, is an odd duck. He's not particularly adept at getting along with administrators, so Joe Castiglione couldn't be real excited about the prospect. But Leach can coach. He won at Texas Tech. He won at Washington State. He's winning at Mississippi State. And he was part of the Stoops Renaissance as a one-year offensive coordinator in 1999.

16. Josh Heupel​

Heupel, 43, would be an intriguing candidate – success at Central Florida, plus a very promising maiden season at Tennessee – and quarterbacking the Sooners to the 2000 national title will always keep him an Oklahoma hero. But Heupel was bitter after Bob Stoops fired him as offensive coordinator, and Heupel hasn’t really restored those relationships.

17. Jay Norvell​

Norvell, 58, has done a good job coaching at Nevada. He was on Stoops’ staff but was fired in the Heupel purge of 2014. Still, Norvell has resurrected his career, perhaps without severing his OU ties.

'Two equal teams': How have OSU and Baylor changed since first meeting in October?​

Scott Wright
Oklahoman

STILLWATER — Back in September of 1908, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College lost to Central State Normal School 8-5 in the first football game of the season. Then in November, Oklahoma A&M defeated Central State 17-0 in the final game of the same season.

So if you’re into statistical trends, Oklahoma State — formerly Oklahoma A&M — is unbeaten (1-0) in the last 113 years when playing the same team twice in a season.

On Saturday, the Cowboys finally get a chance to extend the winning streak.

Oklahoma State faces Baylor at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, two months and two days after OSU’s 24-14 win over the Bears in Stillwater.

Of course, in the scope of a football season, something that happened two months ago feels like 1908. Two-thirds of a season has passed, so this meeting hardly feels like a rematch.

“We haven’t played ‘em in quite a while,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said of the Bears on Monday.

In terms of how the teams have evolved since they last met, the players are more experienced, but Gundy says the principles of what Baylor does are the same.

“We’re kinda who we are, and they’re kinda who they are,” Gundy said. “They played another quarterback, but their philosophies are pretty much the same.

“From that standpoint, it’s really similar.”

Baylor has used freshman backup quarterback Blake Shapen the last game-and-a-half, because starter Gerry Bohanon injured his hamstring against Kansas State. In that time, Shapen is 36-of-55 passing for 391 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.


Bohanon was expected to go through a “walk-through, no-helmet” practice on Monday, but coach Dave Aranda was unsure of his status for Saturday’s game.

“He’s going to go through all that, so we’ll kind of see where he’s at,” Aranda said. “Gerry is the leader for us and is a stalwart, really. I think he’s the face of what we’re doing over here, so we’re excited to have him back and kind of see where it goes.”

Regardless of the quarterback, Gundy knows his team has to prepare for an opponent that — like the Cowboys — has shown improvement gradually throughout the season. Since they met in October, both teams are 6-1 with key wins that put them in the position to play for a Big 12 title. OSU lost 24-21 at Iowa State and Baylor lost 30-28 at TCU.

“Their schemes are good,” Gundy said. “They know what they’re doing. They block well. They’ve got skill at the running back position, we know that. They’ve got skill at the wide receiver position.

“And you’re also seeing a team that’s winning, so when they win, they play harder. That’s where they’re at. These are two equal teams. We’re on the same level.”

The Cowboys’ changes over the last two months are obvious. Against Baylor, quarterback Spencer Sanders threw three interceptions. He’s only thrown four in the seven games since.

He’s playing with more confidence and control of the offense, which has upped its scoring output since then as well. Over the first five games, OSU averaged 25.4 points per game. Since then, it’s averaging 36.4.

A really good defense got even better over the latter part of the season, and as a team, the Cowboys are more confident.

Baylor, too, is playing with more confidence, but Aranda says his team’s biggest changes have been more philosophical.


“Every Sunday, after your game on Saturday, you’ve got yourself a brand new team,” Aranda said. “You learn and grow throughout, the ability to go through negative things and block out the noise, focus on what you can control, play through adversity. Those are things we’ve grown at.

“Then there’s the individual growth with players. Guys trusting their technique in tough moments. Guys trusting their teammates. When pressure hits, it causes abnormal behavior a lot of times. You go out of your job description and try to do other people’s job and I think our growth in that space — we were tested just a couple days ago — so I think we’ve grown in that area.

“And we’re gonna need all the lessons learned for this one coming up.”

Tramel's ScissorTales: Oklahoma State or Notre Dame? Who has the best case for College Football Playoff?​

Berry Tramel
Oklahoman

The Lincoln Riley news overshadowed the College Football Playoff scenarios. Heck, that’s probably even true in Stillwater, where a rousing Bedlam victory was the surrey, and Riley’s departure from OU is the fringe on top.

But OSU finds itself in tall cotton. A Big 12 Championship Game date with Baylor, and a win in Arlington could propel the Cowboys into the four-team playoff.

Alabama’s comeback against Auburn, winning 24-22 in four overtimes, keeps the Crimson Tide alive and probably in the top three. And OSU might indeed be sixth in the penultimate playoff committee rankings, which will be released Tuesday night.

Heck, I suppose it’s feasible that OSU doesn’t rise at all. The committee loves itself some Ohio State. Maybe it keeps the Buckeyes ahead of the Cowboys.

But the real question for Oklahoma State is this. Should the Cowboys jump Notre Dame and/or Cincinnati?

It’s hard to compare résumés of OSU and Cincinnati. One is in a Power 5 Conference, the other is not. At least not yet. One is once-beaten, the other is unbeaten.

But the résumés of OSU and Notre Dame are easy to compare. Each is 11-1. Each played 10 games against fellow Power 5 teams. So let’s compare.

But the real question for Oklahoma State is this. Should the Cowboys jump Notre Dame and/or Cincinnati?

It’s hard to compare résumés of OSU and Cincinnati. One is in a Power 5 Conference, the other is not. At least not yet. One is once-beaten, the other is unbeaten.

But the résumés of OSU and Notre Dame are easy to compare. Each is 11-1. Each played 10 games against fellow Power 5 teams. So let’s compare.

Game control: OSU has five wins by single digits (23-16 over Missouri State, 28-23 over Tulsa, 21-20 over Boise State, 32-24 over Texas and 37-33 over OU), plus two wins that were two-possession games at the finish (Kansas State 31-20, Baylor 24-14). Notre Dame has three wins by single digits (41-38 over Florida State in overtime, 32-29 over Toledo and 32-29 over Virginia Tech), plus three more wins that were two-possession games at the finish (27-13 over Purdue, 44-34 over North Carolina and 31-16 over Southern Cal). OSU’s loss (24-21 to Iowa State) was tight. Notre Dame’s 24-13 loss to Cincinnati was somewhat one-sided. Advantage: even.

Strength of schedule: OSU’s schedule is ranked 38th out of 130 Division I-A opponents. Notre Dame’s schedule is ranked 50th. Advantage: OSU.

So by what measure should Notre Dame be ranked ahead of OSU this week? The Cowboys have the superior résumé.

And if OSU beats Baylor, then there’s no comparison at all. Notre Dame, an independent, does not play this week. Plus the Cowboys would have a conference championship, which Notre Dame will not have. If somehow Notre Dame stays ahead of OSU this week, no way should the Irish stay ahead of the Cowboys next week.

It seems likely that OSU eventually would jump Cincinnati, too. The Bearcats are 12-0 and host 11-1 Houston on Saturday in the American Conference Championship Game. But Cincy’s strength of schedule ranks 96th nationally.

In the traditional polls released Sunday, OSU jumped Notre Dame and into No. 5.

Add it all together, and the College Football Playoff looks quite possible for OSU, provided it can get past Baylor.

Here are the final Big 12 rankings of the season:

1. Oklahoma State (11-1, 8-1)​

The Cowboys’ Bedlam was very much like the win over Texas, except OSU didn’t get down against UT. But the Longhorn offense was very good early, then got stuffed in its final six possessions. The OU offense had eight second-half possessions and scored zero points.

2. Baylor (10-2, 7-2)​

That inexplicable loss to Texas Christian a few weeks ago is keeping the Bears from playoff contention.

3. Oklahoma (10-2, 7-2)​

Lost Bedlam on Saturday. Lost Riley on Sunday. I don’t know which is injury and which is insult, but it doesn’t feel good either way.

4. Iowa State (7-5, 5-4)​

The Cyclones finish fourth in the Big 12. What a rollercoaster season. Maybe a season that keeps Matt Campbell in Ames.

5. Kansas State (7-5, 4-5)​

The Wildcats were 4-3 in conference with quarterback Skylar Thompson but 0-2 without him, losing relatively close games to OSU and Texas.

6. West Virginia (6-6, 4-5)​

Nice rebound for the Mountaineers. Tying for fifth in the Big 12 and becoming bowl eligible seemed unlikely a few weeks ago.

7. Texas Tech (6-6, 3-6)​

Interesting team. Beat Houston and Iowa State, dang near beat Baylor.

8. Texas (5-7, 3-6)​

The Longhorns had a fine weekend, too. Ended their six-game losing streak and arch-rival Riley is headed for Hollywood.

9. Texas Christian (5-7, 3-6)​

Wonder if Sonny Dykes turned down Texas Tech?

10. Kansas (2-10, 1-8)​

Don’t look now, but KU coach Lance Leopold has been on the job for seven months, yet he ranks seventh out of 10 in Big 12 longevity.

So you really talked to USC for the first time when you got to home to Norman after the Bedlam loss. Ok.

I just want to make sure nobody thinks it’s a normal start time.
The early line is 9 1/2.
ESPN+

Always interesting to see how things turn out after the fact.

Here's WrestleStat's latest rankings. Not much movement today, but Penn State is back at #2 after moving up 3 spots.

Wrestler Rankings | https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/starters

Dual Rankings | https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/dual

Tournament Rankings | https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/tournament

Stat Leaders | https://www.wrestlestat.com/rankings/statistical

Ever release a post game report on refs calls?

OU, for going behind your fellow Big 12 partners back, I bring you much chaos and loss.
UT, for going behind your fellow Big 12 partners back, I bring you much chaos and....
Well, your punishment is, you keep your current coaching staff and your administration and fans. There is not anything as worse as this I could give you.

GOD

"He thinks he's the greatest thing to walk on God's green earth."

"He's so full of himself."

We didn't hear this previously. Curious.

As a fan who has been on that side of things many times with blown calls I understand. I remember thinking and saying that we lost a game because of officiating.

I also remember how I felt inside, knowing that it didn't really matter and it was an L. That's what ou fans are feeling.

By two very objective Leftists in which they discuss the Left’s “Covid failure” as a symptom of its overall failure to understand what it claims to be in favor of as opposed to its knee-jerk reaction any time there is a crisis. Our Leftist friends on this board would be wise to read this and examine their own thinking on the subject.

I think I speak for "8" when I say "the hateful 8 send their regards"!

For those of you that live under a rock and don't koww that comes from game of thrones from an event called the Red Wedding. I'll let you go to YouTube and watch it.

... has to be one of the most sociopathic, cold-blooded moves ever.

Notre Dame is in the middle of the chase for a playoff spot and he leaves them high and dry.

Lincoln Riley at least waited 30 minutes after the Sooners were eliminated.

He's the all time winningest coach in ND history and now? He gone.

Can you imagine if Gundy did the same to us?