Top Assistant Coaches In The Big 12

The Columbia Tribune's Dave Matter has compiled a list of the top assistant coaches in the Big 12; for this list, only the jobs done as position coaches were considered, not as coordinators. Recruiting was not taken into consideration, and recent results trump past glory.

I really liked three of his picks:

1. Greg Davis, texas quarterbacks: Major Applewhite. Vince Young. Colt McCoy. Enough said?

Davis’ reputation as a play-caller goes hot and cold with texas fans, but he has the golden touch with quarterbacks. Among the hardware his QBs have collected: Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year (two); Maxwell Award (two); Davey O’Brien Award (two); Manning Award (two); Big 12 offensive player of the year (four); Big 12 freshman of the year (three); plus two Heisman Trophy second-place finishes.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; Greg Davis is one of the best QB coaches in the nation. Say what you want about his playcalling (and I am one of his critics in that area), but he is adept at developing and producing top-level QBs just about every season.

2. Joe Wickline, Oklahoma State offensive line: With the luxury of just one elite NFL player the last five years, 2010 first-round pick Russell Okung, Wickline has constructed stout O-lines year after year since arriving in Stillwater from Florida. The Cowboys have led the Big 12 in rushing the last four seasons while giving up the fewest sacks, which helps explain Wickline’s six-year contract that pays him $325,000, a stunning figure and job security for a non-coordinator.

A small correction is necessary here, as Wickline is in fact a co-offensive coordinator;he is the running game coordinator at Oklahoma State. Matter's opinion of Wickline is in line with one I posted on here a year ago almost to the day. When you consider what Wickline has accomplished, and that he does it at OSU, where he gets second-pick on all in-state players after OU gets who they want, it is phenomenal. It is nice to see him receive the recognition he deserves.

9. Brian Cabral, Colorado linebackers: The Buffs don’t stockpile athletes like they used to, but the longest tenured Buffs coach in school history — he’s entering his 20th season — is still revered nationally for coaching linebackers. Among his former players are 10 NFL draft picks, from Greg Biekert and Chad Brown to Jordan Dizon.

It seems like Cabral has been at Colorado forever, but he keeps producing playmaking LBs year after year after year. I've always felt he is somewhat underrated, so it is nice to see him receive some recognition.

No A&M coaches received any recognition, I think partly because we had such staff turnover after last season. I do think Tom Rossley deserves some credit for helping develop Jerrod Johnson from a WR recruit/two-sport athlete into one of the top QBs in all of college football, but I'm guessing he doesn't have enough success beyond the last two years to receive consideration. I think Steve Kragthorpe would also receive some consideration if his last job hadn't been as head coach at Louisville.

Who do you think are the top position coaches in the Big 12?