Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury talks at Big 12 Media Days on Monday. (Photo: Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)
DALLAS — Do you believe Kliff Kingsbury?
Most of Sooner Nation probably does not.
Asked on Monday by the Tulsa World’s Guerin Emig if Kingsbury and Texas Tech supported the rule change last month that allows walk-ons to transfer in the conference without losing a year of eligibility — provided they have proof of a written scholarship offer — Kingsbury said, “Yes. Yes. We voted in favor of it.”
The original vote on the rule change by league faculty athletic representatives at Big 12’s spring business meetings was deadlocked 5-5 — no change. The next day, the FARs were polled again and the count was 7-3 — new rule passed.
Kingsbury didn’t give Mayfield a written offer of aid at Texas Tech, so Mayfield transferred to OU.
Mayfield had to sit out the 2014 season per NCAA rules as a transfer, but the Big 12 also required that he lose a year of eligibility. That rule was changed last month.
The immediate question on Kingsbury’s statement that Tech voted “in favor of” the rule change begs the question: is Kingsbury telling the truth?
It’s been widely assumed that Tech was one of the three schools that continued to vote against it. But a Big 12 source later confirmed that Tech did indeed vote for the rule change.
Previously, Kingsbury had been cool to any discussions about Mayfield. But he’s apparently not any more.
With Mayfield leading OU to the College Football Playoff and finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting and Tech’s Patrick Mahomes leading the Big 12 in both passing and total offense last year, Kingsbury was asked if both players’ situation appeared to work out for the best.
“It appears so,” the coach deadpanned. “I like both of those young men — a lot. I know a lot has come from Baker’s side, but, loved coaching him, love the chip on his shoulder. Cheered for him in every game except one, and it’s been fun to see the success he has had.
“Patrick has stepped in for Year 3 and was poised for a very good year, and I think that’s where Baker wanted to be and it’s worked out for him there and he’s had a tremendous run. I know Patrick wanted to be at Texas Tech, and both guys have had a tremendous run.”
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