Zach's Big 12 Media Days Expectations

STILLWATER – After waiting what feels like years, football season is finally back around the corner with the start of Big 12 Media days July 13-14 at Jerry’s World in Arlington, TX.

While Media Days isn’t the most earth-shattering event, it is the official (at least for me) start of a new football season. Plus, there’s always something to learn amidst all the coach speak.

So, here’s a few things I’m expecting to learn while down in Arlington for the next few days. Other than some really good food and possibly a Rangers game, of course.

New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark kicks things off Wednesday morning at 8:30 CT with two hours allotted for him and Baylor president Dr. Linda Livingstone. While it appears conference expansion talk has died down for the time being, there’s no doubt in my mind we’re going to be hearing a lot of questions from media members about it.

While I don’t think there’s going to be a whole lot of actual news on the topic of expansion/realignment, I do believe Yormark is going to discuss how he’s planning on keeping the Big 12 relevant. Yes, the addition of four up-and-coming programs certainly helps, but that’s not until next summer. How does Yormark use his decades of marketing and executive experience to help the Big 12 compete against the giants that is the Big Ten and the SEC?

I’m looking forward to seeing what Mike Gundy shows up. The Cowboys are coming off an impressive 12-2 season in 2021 in which the Pokes beat top-10 teams in OU and Notre Dame. Will Gundy be laid back and jovial, possibly giving us a few memorable sound bites to use over the next few months, or will he be kind of guarded and give us a lot of coach speak. Sure, we’re going to get coach speak no matter what, but laid-back Gundy always speaks more freely.

Then there’s the obvious choices of what exactly are we going to learn from the new head coaches and what direction their programs will be headed in the next few seasons. Like OU. Will the Sooners be back on top of the league this season, or will all the transfers and coach departures from last season set them back a year or so?

We’ll have plenty of Big 12 Media Days coverage here on Pokes Report and on Triple Play Sports Radio the next couple of weeks, so be sure and follow us for all the action.