Hawkins, Gundy, Sherman lead Big 12 Hot Seat List

Dan Hawkins, Colorado: Was supposed to use that upset of OU early in 2007 as a springboard to big things. Instead, the Buffs went 6-7 that season, 5-7 in ‘08 and 3-9 last year. It’s understood it will take a winning 2010 for Hawkins to return in ‘11…

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: First came the facilities upgrade. Now Gundy gets wizardly offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Sooner before later, Boone Pickens is going to want a higher return on his investment than last year’s 9-4 record and Cotton Bowl appearance…

Mike Sherman, Texas A&M: The Aggies’ 6-7 record was a step in the right direction from their 4-8 slip-up in ‘08, Sherman’s first year. With both league offensive and defensive preseason players of the year, he’ll be expected to take a bigger step forward this fall. – Tulsa World

Steve Kragthorpe resigns from Texas A&M

New Texas A&M wide receivers coach Steve Kragthorpe has resigned due to a family medical issue. Kragthorpe, a former offensive coordinator under R.C. Slocum, had held head coaching positions at Tulsa and Louisville. He was hired by coach Mike Sherman this off season. – Dallas Morning News

Texas’ departure for Pac-10 “imminent”

The departure of Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10 is imminent, four sources within the Big 12 said Monday. One source said commissioner Dan Beebe’s last-minute plan to save the conference has “zero” chance to succeed. Another source said it is “very unlikely” to succeed. Texas’ interests in being aligned with the research opportunities and academic missions of Pac-10 schools is driving the decision, along with money. Beebe’s last-ditch plan included an emotional plea about preserving rivalries and maintaining the best welfare of the student-athlete, one source said. Texas A&M is now most likely to join the SEC, a source within the Big 12 said. This move, in the wake of Colorado and Nebraska’s departure, would further diminish the chance of Beebe’s plan succeeding, one source said. Texas’ decision is expected to come no later than Tuesday. – WABC-TV

Aggies likely headed to SEC; OU next?

Multiple sources tell Orangebloods.com that Texas A&M has enough votes on its nine-member Board of Regents to join the Southeastern Conference and could announce that move as early as next week.A source close to the situation said A&M has an invitation from the SEC if it wants it. SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station on Saturday meeting with A&M officials, according to sources, although A&M athletic director Bill Byrne was in Idaho. The sources said the A&M regents who favor the move to the SEC outnumber those who favor staying with longtime rival Texas in a move to the Pac-10… According to sources, SEC commissioner Mike Slive and A&M are working feverishly to convince Oklahoma to join the SEC with the Aggies rather than follow Texas to the Pac-10. There is speculation among a few schools in the Big 12 that if OU had to choose between the Pac-10 and SEC, it would choose the SEC. But sources close to OU say, up to this point, the Sooners have made a decision to go with Texas and not break up one of college football’s most unique rivalries. – Orangebloods.com

Hold Everything: Big 12 may not be dead just yet

Three different sources at Big 12 South schools being targeted by the Pac-10 told Orangebloods.com Sunday morning that Dan Beebe’s attempts to secure a new TV deal on par with the SEC’s $17 million/school payout for the 10 remaining schools in the Big 12 is in play. The sources said they are proceeding cautiously with the new information provided by Beebe. But the information might slow down the rocket-like pace of Big 12 schools seeking a new home and possibly draw all the divided parties back to the table… Texas A&M has been in deep discussions with the SEC and as of Saturday night had enough votes on its Board of Regents to join the SEC (believed to be 6-3). But the dissenting votes on A&M’s regents board are apparently passionate about keeping Texas and A&M together and not breaking up a 100-year rivalry by having the schools head to different leagues. SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station Saturday. Sources close to the situation say A&M has an invitation to the SEC if it wants it. The SEC has also been doggedly pursuing Oklahoma. But thus far, OU, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State have indicated they would stay with Texas. Up to this point, that appeared to be an announcement to join the Pac-10, starting as early as Tuesday of this week. But with news that Texas is now seriously considering the Beebe Plan, there is a growing chance the Big 12, which is now at 10 schools (the Big Ten, by the way, is now at 12 schools) just might survive after all. – Orangebloods.com

Strong Ramifications for Aggies if move made to SEC

Two sources told me late Thursday afternoon that it has been expressed to the Aggies that a move to the SEC would be viewed as an athletics act of war because it is important to the other schools involved to keep the SEC out of this state as a major presence - both in recruiting and in terms of market reach. Although there haven’t been any hard line threats, there’s a feeling from all of the schools from the Big 12 South that A&M would become dead to them as an athletics partner and it’s very likely that they wouldn’t be scheduled by Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in any sport… for a very, very long time. When we talk about the loss of tradition in this move for A&M, we’re not talking about the school song or the bonfire. We’re talking about the ability to pursue any existing competition in any sport - not in football, basketball, baseball, poker, lawn darts… nothing. No more Lone Star State Showdown. Also, my sources indicate that this is not a UT-led initiative and that all of the schools are in firm agreement that an A&M move to the SEC would need to be met with pretty stiff repercussions. The bottom line is that there will be a lot of political jostling over the course of the next few days and into early next week. Look for the other four schools to sit back, watch and wait for Texas A&M to figure out who they are. Texas wants A&M sitting shotgun on the ride to the Pac-10. If A&M wants out of the car, they won’t be let back in. – Orangebloods.com

Aggies, Longhorns may be split

Are Texas and Texas A&M breaking up? The latest difference of opinion could define a changing college landscape for decades. Texas and three other schools in the Big 12 Conference’s South Division are looking west to the Pacific-10 Conference as the best hope for their future with the expected demise of their home for the last 14 years. But Texas A&M would like to at least survey the options in a different part of the country, in the Southeastern Conference, sources familiar with the process outlined. – The Dallas Morning News

Longhorns, Aggies eyeing SEC?

As the roulette wheel of bigtime college athletics continues to spin, a pair of Texas teams will assess its options. Athletic Directors DeLoss Dodds of Texas and Bill Byrne of Texas A&M will gather to discuss their departments’ futures in light of Nebraska’s all-but-announced move to the Big Ten, according to a source from UT with direct knowledge of the event. Administrators and coaches at Texas and A&M recently have said that the Big 12 would dissolve without Nebraska as at least five Big 12 South schools and either Baylor or Colorado would seek a new home. The Pacific 10 has offered to take six teams, though administrators at two Big 12 schools have said the Longhorns and Aggies might talk with the Southeastern Conference. – Omaha World-Herald

Texas A&M set to hire Air Force DC?

Air Force defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter will be leaving the academy to become the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, according to a source close to the situation. – Colorado Springs Gazette

Joe Kines retires as Aggies’ defensive coordinator

Joe Kines has spoken lovingly of his wife, Rubye, and her cooking over his past two years at Texas A&M. Kines, 65, will now get to savor much more of both – along with other joys of retirement. Kines on Wednesday announced his departure as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. “God has blessed me so much,” Kines said. “I am a man of faith and family, and I feel like it is time for me to retire. … It’s time for Rubye and me to spend a lot more time with our grandsons.” A&M coach Mike Sherman said Wednesday he shouldn’t have trouble filling the vacancy, but didn’t set a timetable for doing so. “I have no doubt we will attract quality candidates for the defensive coordinator position,” Sherman said. – Houston Chronicle

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