Big 12 Basketball Job Rankings: Coaches Weigh In, Kansas Reigns Supreme
The Big 12 is as deep and competitive as it’s ever been, and thanks to an anonymous coaches poll conducted by The Field of 68, we now have a behind-the-scenes look at how insiders view the league’s 16 men’s basketball coaching jobs. The rankings, compiled from responses by both head coaches and assistants across the conference, offer a rare peek into how the profession itself evaluates the landscape - from bluebloods to rebuilds.
Here’s how the jobs stack up, according to the poll:
Big 12 Men’s Basketball Job Rankings (Coaches Poll): 1.
Kansas (288 points)
2.
Arizona (268)
3.
Texas Tech (236)
4.
BYU (228)
5.
Houston (222)
6.
Iowa State (194)
7.
Baylor (184)
8.
Cincinnati (146)
9.
Kansas State (128)
10.
West Virginia (124)
11.
TCU (96)
12.
Arizona State (94)
13.
Oklahoma State (76)
14.
Utah (74)
15.
UCF (54)
16.
Colorado (52)
Kansas Still the Gold Standard
No surprise at the top - Kansas is the clear No. 1, and it’s hard to argue with the coaches who put them there. The Jayhawks are one of the sport’s bluebloods, and that tradition carries real weight in the coaching ranks. From historic Allen Fieldhouse to a fan base that lives and breathes hoops, Kansas offers a combination of legacy, resources, and support that’s unmatched in the Big 12 - and frankly, in most of college basketball.
Their investment backs it up. Kansas led the conference in operating budget in 2024 with $156 million and poured $49 million into a multi-phase renovation of Allen Fieldhouse.
That’s not just money - that’s commitment. Add in the fact that head coach Bill Self, now in his 23rd season and the highest-paid coach in the sport, is working under a rolling “lifetime” contract, and you’ve got a job that’s as stable as it is prestigious.
Even with NIL reshaping the recruiting and roster-building game, Kansas remains ahead of the curve. Reports suggest the Jayhawks are willing to spend up to $8 million annually on player acquisition, putting them in elite territory. When you combine that kind of financial firepower with a national brand and a Hall of Fame coach, it’s no wonder Kansas sits comfortably atop this list.
Arizona, Texas Tech, BYU, Houston Round Out the Top Five
Arizona checks in at No. 2, and like Kansas, it’s a basketball-first school with a rich tradition. The Wildcats bring decades of success and a passionate fan base into the Big 12, and their facilities and NIL infrastructure are more than enough to keep them competitive.
Texas Tech at No. 3 might raise some eyebrows, but coaches clearly respect what’s been built in Lubbock. The Red Raiders have consistently been in the national conversation since their 2019 national title game run, and their NIL support is among the best in the league. It’s a program with momentum and resources - a potent combo in today’s game.
BYU’s spot at No. 4 is another indicator of how much NIL and budget matter in this new era. The Cougars boast a $12 million basketball budget and one of the largest home crowds in the country at the Marriott Center.
With top-tier facilities and the recent addition of high-profile recruit A.J. Dybantsa, BYU is clearly on the rise.
Houston rounds out the top five, and while their NIL budget is reportedly the lowest among the top-tier schools (around $2.1 million), the Cougars have earned their respect the hard way - through consistent winning. Under Kelvin Sampson, they’ve become a national power, and even with questions about what happens post-Sampson, the infrastructure is there to keep the program humming.
Iowa State: Underrated at No. 6?
Iowa State fans might feel a little slighted seeing the Cyclones at No. 6.
T.J. Otzelberger has done a phenomenal job since taking over in 2021, and the program’s current roster is reportedly worth around $5 million - a strong number in the NIL arms race.
They’ve got a loyal, travel-ready fan base and a team that’s in the thick of the Big 12 title hunt this season, even after a tough road loss to Kansas.
So why are they not higher? Facilities could be part of the answer.
Hilton Coliseum is one of the most electric venues in college basketball, but at 14,356 seats and over 50 years old, it doesn’t quite match the size and modern amenities of some of its conference peers. When coaches evaluate jobs, they’re looking at the full package - including what they can sell to recruits and transfers - and that may be where Iowa State falls just short of the top five.
Middle of the Pack: Baylor, Cincinnati, Kansas State, West Virginia
Baylor at No. 7 feels about right. The Bears have a national title in their back pocket (2021), a proven coach in Scott Drew, and solid resources. But the program hasn’t quite matched the NIL splash of some others, and that could explain why they’re outside the top five.
Cincinnati at No. 8 is a bit more controversial. Some fans argue the Bearcats are punching above their weight here, especially when compared to programs like West Virginia and Kansas State, both of which have better facilities and stronger NIL support. Still, Cincinnati’s tradition and recruiting base in Ohio give it a respectable foundation.
Kansas State (No. 9) and West Virginia (No. 10) both have passionate fan bases and strong home-court environments, but may be lagging slightly in NIL and facility upgrades compared to others in the league. That said, these are still solid jobs - just not quite in that top-tier conversation right now.
Bottom Tier: TCU, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Utah, UCF, Colorado
The bottom six jobs in the poll reflect programs still finding their footing in the new Big 12 landscape. TCU (No. 11) and Arizona State (No. 12) both have potential, especially given their locations and access to talent, but haven’t consistently produced results that would elevate them up the list.
Oklahoma State (No. 13) is a bit of a head-scratcher. Historically, the Cowboys have had success, but they’ve struggled in recent years to keep pace with the evolving NIL and transfer portal dynamics.
Utah (No. 14), UCF (No. 15), and Colorado (No. 16) round out the list. These programs face uphill battles in terms of both tradition and infrastructure, and it’s clear the coaching community sees them as rebuilding jobs more than ready-made contenders.
What Coaches Value: NIL, Facilities, Support
One of the biggest takeaways from this poll is how much the coaching community values NIL backing, facilities, and overall program support. It’s not just about wins and losses - it’s about what kind of backing a coach can expect when trying to build a roster and compete in the toughest basketball conference in the country.
The Big 12’s recent Players Era initiative - a $50 million investment across all 16 schools - is just the latest example of how seriously the league is taking basketball. With roughly $20.5 million earmarked per school and 20% of that going directly to hoops, the financial commitment is there. But how that money is used - and how effectively programs market themselves in the NIL era - is clearly shaping how these jobs are viewed.
Fan Reactions: Passionate and Predictable
As expected, fans had plenty to say once the rankings hit social media. Kansas and Arizona were widely accepted as the top two, while programs like Cincinnati and BYU drew both praise and skepticism depending on who you asked. Some questioned how certain schools landed where they did, while others pointed out that coaches often see things differently than fans - especially when it comes to behind-the-scenes support and day-to-day realities of running a program.
At the end of the day, these rankings offer more than just bragging rights. They’re a snapshot of how the people living this life - the coaches - view the Big 12 landscape. And as the conference continues to evolve, so too will the perception of these jobs.
But for now, one thing is clear: Kansas is still king.