Has Baylor honed in on its top target -- or two -- to permanently replace Art Briles?
With a significant number of signs pointing to Chad Morris being Baylor’s initial focus, SMU announced Wednesday that it had reached an agreement with its head coach on a contract extension through the 2023 season. Not long after, Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com reported that BU would now shift the focus of their search to Cal’s Sonny Dykes.
Thursday night, a report surfaced that Dykes and the Big 12 Bears have been in contact and held conversations.Sonny Dykes has spoken with Baylor, according to our Scout colleagues at HD: https://t.co/PI2JehyJcU
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) December 2, 2016
Dykes completed his fourth season at Cal late last month. In three of those four seasons, including 2016, the Bears have failed to qualify for a bowl. In 2015, Cal won eight games; in the other three seasons, the Bears combined to win 11 games.
The son of legendary Texas Tech head coach Spike Dykes, Sonny Dykes is a well-steeped disciple of the so-called “Air Raid” offense. Given the type of players Briles recruited to Waco the past several years, especially offensively, Dykes would seemingly offer a smoother transition personnel-wise than someone outside that particular coaching tree. The Texas native’s extensive ties to his home state would be a draw to the program as well.
While Yahoo! has previously disputed the notion that Dykes has now emerged as BU’s focus, Pat Forde says the Cal coach is one of five or six who could still in the mix for the job. Another? Mike MacIntyre, according to that and numerous other outlets.I’ve been told Mike MacIntyre will interview for the #Baylor job after the PAC 12 title game. Believes it’d be a great fit. Faith & Football
— CT Steckel (@ctsteckel) December 2, 2016
Mike MacIntyre believed to be high on #Baylor wish list .. would be a terrific move if pulled off
— Rich Cirminiello (@RichCirminiello) December 2, 2016
The reports connecting MacIntyre to Baylor come amidst Colorado’s preparations for the Pac-12 championship Friday night against Washington.
MacIntyre took over a Buffaloes program that won a combined four games in 2011 and 2012, but then won just four, two and four games his first three seasons at the school. In 2016, however, the Buffs went 10-2, the football program’s first 10-win season since 2001. They are also bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2007 season.
This week, MacIntyre has taken home Coach of the Year honors from the Pac-12 and Walter Camp Foundation.
It would seem odd that a coach, even a devout Baptist such as MacIntyre, would leave a program seemingly on the rise for one enveloped in a cloud of controversy. Especially a coach with zero ties, personally, professionally or otherwise, to either the program or the state. Earlier this week, at least one respected national college football writer has attempted to toss some cold water on the speculation.Heard from pretty much the best possible source Mike MacIntyre is not a possibility at Baylor.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 30, 2016
With his name being mentioned in connection to other jobs, it’s expected CU will commence talks on a contract extension following the title game. In 2016, MacIntyre was the lowest-paid head coach in his conference.
