Report: Kliff Kingsbury Contract Extension a 'Priority' for Cardinals After OU Rumors
Dec 5, 2021
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury during pre-game at an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 23-13. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
The 9-2 Arizona Cardinals have the best record in the NFL, and they reportedly have no interest in seeing head coach Kliff Kingsbury elsewhere with just one year remaining on his contract after the 2021 campaign.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Sunday that "a long-term extension is a significant offseason priority for the Cardinals, and the coach's leverage has clearly never been higher."
Perhaps that leverage comes in part because ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Nov. 28 that Oklahoma "targeted" Kingsbury in its search for a head coach after the departure of Lincoln Riley to USC. Still, La Canfora noted "there was no serious dialogue between" the two sides.
It was certainly a surprising development when the Oklahoma position became available considering Riley helped lead the Sooners to the College Football Playoff three times and had a 55-10 record during his tenure.
However, he created a vacancy at one of the country's elite programs.
Kingsbury has Big 12 connections from his time as a player and head coach for Texas Tech, although he was just 35-40 as the coach from 2013 through 2018. Oklahoma is also set to join the SEC in 2025.
The Cardinals head coach is also in one of the most favorable positions in the NFL since Kyler Murray is the team's franchise quarterback at just 24 years old and seems primed to compete for MVPs and NFC West crowns for seasons to come.
Arizona is also trending in the right direction under Kingsbury considering it was just 5-10-1 in his first season in 2019, 8-8 last year and now 9-2 through its first 11 games this season.
His background as an offensive coach at the collegiate level is well-suited for Murray's game, as the quarterback can hurt opposing defenses with his legs and his arm as a dual-threat playmaker.
Keeping the quarterback and coach together and continuing to build on their progress seems like the fastest way to a Lombardi Trophy for the Cardinals, and they are apparently going to make an effort to do just that during the offseason.
Report: Clemson's Brent Venables the Top Target to Replace Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma
Dec 5, 2021
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables looks on during warm ups before their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Oklahoma has reportedly zeroed its head coaching search on Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Chris Low of ESPN reported the deal could be finalized as soon as Sunday. Venables has focused on Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to serve in the same position under him in Norman.
Venables, the 2016 Broyles Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach, has served as defensive coordinator under Dabo Swinney since 2012. He's been one of the most respected assistants in the nation over the last decade, with several schools pursuing him for head coaching vacancies only to be rebuffed.
Oklahoma is a natural landing spot for Venables given he was an assistant for 13 seasons in Norman under Bob Stoops.
The Sooners program is reeling after losing Lincoln Riley to USC late last month. Riley, who went 55-10 in five seasons at Oklahoma, is also taking many of the team's future commits. The Sooners are down to 13 players committed in the 2022 class and down to two commits in 2023. It's possible, if not likely, more players will reopen their recruitment.
Given the 2022 and 2023 classes will be vital parts of the team when Oklahoma makes its move to the SEC in 2025, it's fair to say the ripple of Riley's departure will have a long-lasting impact on the program.
Adding Venables, who has significant experience recruiting at the highest level, could be vital in preserving Oklahoma's standing among the nation's best programs.
Texas Asst. Coach Jeff Banks, Girlfriend Sued After Monkey Allegedly Bites Child
Dec 4, 2021
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 30: Texas Longhorns assistant coach Jeff Banks watches action during game between the Texas Longhorns and the Baylor Bears on October 30, 2021 at McLane Stadium in Waco, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Texas assistant coach Jeff Banks and his girlfriend, Danielle Thomas, are being sued over an alleged incident involving her monkey that occurred on Halloween.
Per ESPN's Mark Schlabach, the lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court in Austin, Texas this week accused Thomas' monkey of biting a child who was in the area trick-or-treating and went into a backyard where the monkey was being kept.
According to the lawsuit, the monkey "aggressively bit down on C.C.'s hand and refused to let go" after the child attempted to get a high-five after being told the monkey was trained to do that.
The family that filed the lawsuit is seeking damages for gross negligence and defamation.
The lawsuit also says Thomas was "worried about the risk of her monkey being taken away" instead of trying to help take care of the child following the alleged attack.
"Danielle Thomas stated to the physician that the monkey had bitten her before and that she was fine, implying that the monkey therefore did not have rabies," according to the lawsuit.
Schlabach noted Thomas posted a series of tweets that have since been deleted. She wrote the child "had no permission to go pass the gate i had no idea he went in my back yard, neither did i know anything about a bite ! Until a doctor of neighborhood told me the treat a small bite. No parent have contacted me about it !"
Thomas added that "the rules were when u get to the gate turn around and come back out for candy every other parent and child did so !"
According to Schlabach, Thomas has since deleted her Twitter account.
Banks just wrapped up his first season as an assistant on Steve Sarkisian's staff at Texas. The 46-year-old was hired as an associate head coach, tight ends coach and special teams coach.
Prior to joining the Longhorns, Banks spent the previous three years at Alabama. He won a national title with the Crimson Tide last season as their tight ends and special teams coach.
A Washington State alum, Banks began his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 1999. He has also worked at Idaho State, UTEP and Texas A&M.
Baylor Upsets Oklahoma State in Big 12 Title Game as Cowboys' CFP Hopes Fade
Dec 4, 2021
Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (9) celebrates a touchdown catch with wide receiver Drew Estrada (18) and tight end Ben Sims (86) during the first half of the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
The Baylor Bears have won the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time in school history after their thrilling 21-16victory over Oklahoma State at AT&T Stadium on Saturday.
Oklahoma State had an opportunity to take the lead in the final seconds, but Baylor's defense stepped up huge. Dezmon Jackson's attempt to turn the corner on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line came up short when Jairon McVea stopped him short of the end zone.
That came after the Cowboys went 89 yards in 16 plays to put themselves in position to go ahead. Baylor forced a turnover on downs and was able to run out the clock on its next offensive snap.
This was the second time Baylor has played in the conference title game. Its first appearance was a 30-23 loss to Oklahoma in 2019.
Saturday's win also provides the Bears with a strong measure of revenge. They were held to a season-low 14 points in a loss to Oklahoma State on Oct. 2. Head coach Dave Aranda's team will likely be headed to the Sugar Bowl for the second time in three years.
Oklahoma State likely would have found itself in the College Football Playoff with a win. The Cowboys entered this week No. 5 in the rankings, with all four teams ahead of them playing Saturday.
One of Georgia (No. 1) and Alabama (No. 3) was guaranteed to lose since they are playing in the SEC Championship Game.
Baylor looked like it was going to roll in this game during the first half. Quarterback Blake Shapen completed his first 17 passes, three for touchdowns, to get the Bears out to a 21-3 lead with 5:29 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bears were shutout in the second half, but their defense was able to make enough plays for those 21 first-half points to be enough.
Oklahoma State was its own worst enemy for most of the game. Spencer Sanders threw four interceptions, though some were the product of bad luck. He hit Brennan Presley in the third quarter with a pass that was thrown a little off target, but Presley bobbled it, allowing Brayden Utley to pick it off.
After getting down to Baylor's 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter, Jackson fumbled a handoff by Sanders that Oklahoma State was able to recover. It settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-16 with 8:17 left in regulation.
That would be the end of the scoring for both teams in the game. Oklahoma State lost for just the second time this season. Its 11 wins this season are its most since 2011 (12-1).
This game couldn't have any started any better for Baylor. Shapen was picking apart an Oklahoma State defense that came into this week ranked third in the nation in total yards allowed per game (281.4) and tied for fifth in points allowed per game (16.4).
The Bears surpassed that point total in the first 25 minutes of game time. Shapen looked to be on his way to having a historic performance.
What a first half for Blake Shapen against OKST...
- 4th QB with 3 Pass TD in the 1st half of the Big 12 title game.
The Bears did miss a golden opportunity to extend their lead before halftime. Shapen drove them 60 yards downfield with three chances from the Oklahoma State 21-yard line, but each of his passes fell incomplete to set up a field-goal attempt that was blocked.
Baylor's offense had five drives in the second half, not counting the final snap of the game. Only one of those drives lasted more than five plays and gained at least 10 yards.
Despite those struggles with the ball in their hands, the Bears were able to win because their defense was able to match what Oklahoma State was doing.
The Cowboys had seven drives of their own in the second half. Two of them did end with points, including one touchdown, but the others resulted in two interceptions, one fumble, one turnover on downs and a punt.
It hasn't been talked about a lot because the Big 12 isn't regarded as a defensive conference, but defense was crucial to Baylor's success this season.
Even though Oklahoma State was the best defensive team in the conference, Baylor more than held its own. The Bears ranked 17th in the nation with 19.4 points per game coming into Saturday.
TCU was the only team to score at least 30 points against Baylor.
All of the pieces came together to lead the Bears to a Big 12 title game victory for the first time in program history. They have been an elite team all year and will have a chance to end the season ranked in the Top 10 for the first time since 2014 with a win in the bowl game.
Mistakes Doom Cowboys in Final Playoff Audition
In their biggest game of the season, this was as bad as the Cowboys could have played. Sanders had as many interceptions today as he did in the previous seven games combined.
The Oklahoma State defense allowed Shapen to throw for 151 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
Whatever head coach Mike Gundy said to his team during the halftime break seemed to have resonated, especially with the defense. Shapen completed sixof 11 attempts for 29 yards in the second half.
Oklahoma State's offense did move the ball better in the second half, but there was still a lack of consistency overall that wound up playing a huge role on the decisive final drive.
The defense forced a turnover on downs early in the third quarter to help set up the Cowboys' first touchdown drive. Dominic Richardson capped off an eight-play drive with a score from four yards out.
Special teams also looked like it was going to work in Oklahoma State's favor. In addition to a blocked field goal at the end of the first half, the Cowboys got a turnover when Baylor's Trestan Ebner muffed a punt return that Korie Black recovered.
Gundy continued to show tremendous confidence in his defense in crunch time. He punted the ball away on 4th-and-4 from his own 31 with 3:51 remaining, despite trailing by five points.
The strategy paid off with Oklahoma State forcing a three-and-out to get the offense back on the field with 90 yards to go and 3:14 left on the clock.
It looked like the Cowboys were going to overcome their ugly play and pull off a miraculous win. They gained 88 yards in 13 plays to set up a 1st-and-goal from Baylor's 2-yard line.
Gundy's play-calling in that situation left a whole lot to be desired:
Ball at the 1… 0 yard run inside the tackles 0 yard run inside the tackles PAP throw to the DE Shotgun inside zone for .5 yards
Credit the Baylor defense but my word Okie State. Y’all had nothing better when that same offense didn’t work the last drive
Throughout his tenure at Oklahoma State, Gundy's teams have been defined by explosive offenses capable of putting up points in bunches. He coached a conservative game Saturday, and it wound up hurting his team.
Sanders' turnover problems may have impacted how Gundy wanted to play, but running back-to-back plays in the biggest moment of the game into the teeth of a Baylor defensive front that has been eating you alive all day was a bad strategy.
The end result is that Oklahoma State probably won't make it into the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings.
What's Next?
Oklahoma State and Baylor will find out which bowl game they will play in on Sunday.
Big 12's Bob Bowlsby: CFP Expansion by 2024 'Is in Some Jeopardy at This Point'
Dec 4, 2021
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks during NCAA college football Big 12 media days Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The hope for expanding the College Football Playoff within the next three years could be fading.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who is also on the CFP board of managers, told reporters on Saturday that expanding the field by 2024 "is in some jeopardy at this point."
"We’ve really been on the clock," he added. "It’s also a possibility we wouldn’t be able to do it in (2025)."
ESPN's Heather Dinich reported on Wednesday that CFP staff members had reserved a hotel meeting room to potentially announce they would be expanding the playoff field.
Instead, according to Dinich, talks broke up by the early afternoon with no agreement in place, and the press conference never happened. There is another meeting set for January prior to the College Football Playoff Championship game to discuss things.
"I thought there was a chance we'd get to the end today," Bowlsby said Wednesday. "We didn't, and there were good and appropriate reasons why we didn't."
CFP executive director Bill Hancock told reporters last month that a unanimous agreement from the 11 members of board of managers is needed by January if expansion is going to be implemented in 2024.
Per Dinich, unanimity is needed because the current contract with ESPN for the College Football Playoff was signed by all 11 members and doesn't expire until after the 2025 season.
There's been no official indication on what level of expansion is being discussed, but the most widely reported format would feature either eight or 12 programs.
Per The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach, one version of the 12-team format proposed by the Alliance—ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12—would "guarantee access for each Power 5 conference champion."
The current playoff format features four teams, which are determined by a 13-member committee that releases a weekly top-25 ranking starting in early November.
This year's College Football Playoff field will be announced on Sunday. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be played on Jan. 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Brent Venables, Dan Lanning Reportedly Drawing Interest for Oklahoma HC Job
Dec 4, 2021
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables looks on during warm ups before their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables and Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning are reportedly drawing interest for Oklahoma's vacant head coaching position, according to ESPN.
The position was previously filled by Lincoln Riley, who became head coach of the USC Trojans earlier this week.
Venables previously served as an associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Sooners from 1999-2011 under Bob Stoops, who is currently serving as Oklahoma's interim head coach.
Since joining Clemson, the 50-year-old has helped the team to two national titles (2016, 2018), in addition to six ACC championships. He also won the 2016 Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation.
Several Oklahoma players also recently predicted Venables would be the team's next head coach in a YouTube video posted by Sooners punter Michael Turk.
"Who do I think is going to be the [next] head coach? I think Coach Venables," one player said.
"I think it's going to be Venables," another Oklahoma player replied. "It might be Venables."
Lanning, meanwhile, has spent the last three seasons as Georgia's defensive coordinator under Kirby Smart. In two of those three seasons, the Bulldogs have led the nation in total defense, per Sports Illustrated.
Lanning started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Pittsburgh in 2011 before becoming a graduate assistant at Arizona State. He then was elevated to a recruiting coordinator in 2013 before becoming defensive backs coach and co-recruiting coordinator at Sam Houston State in 2014.
The 35-year-old was also an inside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Memphis in 2015. He began his career at Georgia as an outside linebackers coach in 2018 before being elevated to defensive coordinator in 2019.
In addition to Venables and Lanning, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell and Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell are reportedly drawing interest from Oklahoma.
Riley had been head coach of the Sooners since 2017. He announced his departure from the school shortly after the team's 37-33 loss to Oklahoma State on Nov. 27.
5-Star ATH Prospect Makai Lemon Commits to USC After Decommitting from Oklahoma
Dec 3, 2021
The wave of college football recruits decommitting from Oklahoma to join ex-Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley at USC continued Friday, with 5-star class of 2023 athlete Makai Lemon announcing that he will be joining the Trojans.
Lemon told the news to Hayes Fawcett of On3 Recruits:
BREAKING: 2023 ATH Makai Lemon has Committed to USC, he tells @On3Recruits
The 6’0 180 ATH from Los Alamitos, CA decommitted from Oklahoma on Tuesday
Five-star class of 2023 quarterback Malachi Nelson and 5-star class of 2022 running back Raleek Brown have already decommitted from Oklahoma to join USC.
Five-star class of 2023 wide receiver Brandon Inniss has also decommitted from Oklahoma but has not announced his college destination.
Losing Lemon is a tough one for the Sooners. The Los Alamitos High School star is 27th overall in the 247Sports composite rankings for the class of 2023 and fourth among prospects in California.
Gabe Brooks, who is 247Sports' Midlands Region recruiting analyst, wrote the following about Lemon:
Requisite size for receiver or defensive back with a lean, athletic build that can add some more mass. Dynamic playmaker at the high school level with outstanding junior year production at receiver and cornerback. Also provides a dangerous return game option. Excels in the short area with terrific lateral twitch and explosion, which fosters separation, whether at the line of scrimmage or the top of the route. For the same reasons is dangerous as a run-after-catch threat. Also uses suddenness to close on the catch point as a defender. Elite body control in his routes and when the ball is in the air. Football IQ combines with functional athleticism to provide great feel for tempo as a route runner.
Brooks also wrote Lemon looked like a receiver in the "long run" but that he could have a higher ceiling as a cornerback.
Either way, Brooks called him one of his class' best two-way prospects, with the potential to ultimately hear his name called in an early round of the NFL draft.
Now he'll be joining what appears to be a loaded USC class of 2023 as the Trojans look to return to past glory under Riley.
Report: Oklahoma's Marvin Mims 'Strongly Considering' Entering Transfer Portal
Dec 1, 2021
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver Marvin Mims #17 of the Oklahoma Sooners points for a first down after making a 22-yard catch to the 12-yard line against the Iowa State Cyclones in the third quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 28-21. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Oklahoma wideout Marvin Mims is reportedly "strongly considering" putting his name in the transfer portal, according to Chris Hummer of 247Sports.
That potential decision may go deeper than just the departure of former head coach Lincoln Riley, who bolted to USC this past week, however.
Per that report:
Sources say Mims has been considering a transfer since midway through the 2021 campaign, largely due to frustration with his role in the offense; a freshman All-American in 2020, Mims didn't catch a touchdown until Week 6 and was targeted only 39 times this year.
Mims caught 37 passes for 610 yards and nine scores as a freshman, but this season's production—30 catches for 648 yards and four scores—hasn't been the leap that was expected during his sophomore campaign.
Granted, he could have a change of mind. Hummer reported that a transfer isn't "considered imminent, but sources indicate the plan for him is to leave following the fall semester." But Hummer noted that those same sources said "a coaching hire and staff shake-up in Norman could always alter Mims' plans."
Mims could join quarterback Spencer Rattler, who already announced he was entering the transfer portal:
And Oklahoma's incoming 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes have already taken a hit in the wake of Riley's departure.
The biggest loss was 2023 5-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, who flipped his commitment from the Sooners to USC, though 2023 5-star wideout Brandon Inniss, 2022 4-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie and 2023 4-star running back Treyaun Webb also decommitted from the Sooners.
Whoever ultimately replaces Riley is going to have an interesting rebuilding job on his hands. The potential to lose established talents like Mims would be a major blow to that transition effort.
5-Star Recruit Makai Lemon Decommits from Oklahoma After Lincoln Riley's Exit
Nov 30, 2021
MISSION VIEJO, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Makai Lemon (14), of Los Alamitos, attempts to haul in a pass thrown by quarterback Malachi Nelson (7), defended by Donovan Comestro (13), of Santa Margarita, in the first half at Saddleback College Stadium on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma to become head coach at USC is starting to have ramifications on the Sooners' recruiting.
Makai Lemon, a 5-star athlete who's ranked as the No. 2 athlete nationally in the class of 2023 by 247Sports, announced that he has decommitted from Oklahoma and will not be reopening his recruitment.
Lemon, a native of Southern California, told 247Sports that he made his decision to de-commit from Oklahoma when he found out receivers coach Dennis Simmons was joining Riley at USC. He said the coaching staff has expressed interest in him becoming a Trojan.
"I didn't want to de-commit right away until I knew what coach Simmons was doing,” Lemon said. "He was a big reason why I committed to Oklahoma in the first place. ... I got a call from coach Simmons this week too and he's excited about the opportunity. He knows they can do big things at USC and he wants me to be a part of that."
Lemon added that he plans on visiting USC and expects to make a decision "in the next week or two." He admitted that the situation is intriguing because he grew up as a fan of the Trojans and he also has a strong desire to play for Riley and his staff.
"It was tough to make the decision to leave home," he said. "I'm a SoCal guy and love it out here, but I wanted to play for those coaches in that offense.
"Now the coaches that I love are right here at USC, the school I always thought I would be going to. Me and Malachi [Nelson] are planning to go up there tomorrow for a visit and I think I could be ready to make my decision pretty soon here."
Lemon is a versatile player who has impressed on both sides of the ball. 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins describes him as "a twitchy two-way athlete who shows elite upside as a receiver or a cornerback. ... He works hard off the field and has all the tools to project as a Power Five starter and future high-round NFL draft pick."
Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione 'Surprised' Lincoln Riley Took USC HC Job
Nov 30, 2021
Oklahoma Athletics Director Joe Castiglione gestures as he speaks during an NCAA college football news conference, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Norman, Okla to announce that Bob Stoops, formerly the Oklahoma head coach, will step in as interim head coach for the team's bowl game. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
After initially striking a diplomatic tone to address Lincoln Riley's departure for USC, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione provided some insight into his true feelings Monday.
"We're here today, surprised by yesterday, but with unlimited excitement for tomorrow," he said at a press conference to introduce interim coach Bob Stoops.
University president Joe Harroz said he was "absolutely" disappointed as well.
Riley's decision may have been more expected if there had been any undercurrent of frustration between him and the administration in Norman, Oklahoma.
In a similar move, Jimbo Fisher bolted Florida State for Texas A&M after the 2017 season, but that was the culmination of longstanding internal turmoil. If Fisher hadn't taken the Aggies' job, then it probably would've been another school at some point.
Based on what has come out so far, there wasn't any sort of drama at OU. Castiglione addressed perhaps the biggest question everybody had and said Riley didn't appear to be upset with the process that led the Sooners to join the SEC in July 2025.
"He was engaged in our thoughts about it," Castiglione said. "He was definitely on board with it. And in many conversations since that announcement was made, he continued to be very much on board with it. There wasn't any mention of unrest."
For whatever reason(s), Riley was no longer intrigued about leading Oklahoma, but the school is bound to have a line out the door of candidates who are interested in succeeding the 38-year-old. Few schools have been as consistent on the gridiron over the last 50 or so years.
Joe Castiglione on the allure of the Oklahoma job: "People are reaching out that some people would never believe have interest in it. That's Oklahoma for you."
Still, moving to a new, more competitive conference outside of your geographic region isn't guaranteed to leave you in a better place than you were before. Just ask West Virginia, Nebraska and Maryland.
