The Big 12 Conference formed prior to the 1996 college football season. There have plenty of head coaches that have made their mark in the conference.
The Athletic’s Sam Khan Jr and Max Olson ranked 38 total coaches (subscription required) with three Sooners making the list, starting with John Blake.
John Blake (1996-98)
No. 31 Overall
What The Athletic Says…
Blake, who died in July, arrived after Howard Schnellenberger’s ill-fated 11-month stint as the Sooners head coach. A former OU player under Switzer, Duncan hired him from Switzer’s Dallas Cowboys staff. He was beloved by Sooners players, but it didn’t translate to on-field success. His record marked the worst three-year stretch in program history, and the Sooners didn’t have a winning record in any of those years. He was dismissed following the 1998 season. He is credited, though, with helping to recruit players who contributed to OU’s 2000 national championship team.
John Blake never saw the success that the other two Oklahoma coaches on this list were able to reach. However, his recruiting help pave the way for the last national championship for the Crimson and Cream. He finished with a 12-22 record during his three seasons at the helm with an 8-16 conference record.
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