Not too long ago this would have been a move from one Southwest Conference school to another. From AP-

FORT WORTH, Texas - Houston coach Art Briles is next to take on the task of pulling Baylor out of the Big 12 basement.

Briles confirmed he was leaving in a news conference Wednesday at Houston after meeting with his players.

Baylor spokesman Nick Joos said a news conference was scheduled later in the day on the Waco campus to announce the school’s new football coach.

Briles led Houston to four bowls in his five seasons. He was offered the job Wednesday, a day after meeting with Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw in Dallas.

“Life is full of decisions. Sometimes, you have to look at things from a professional, personal standpoint,” Briles said. “Professionally, (Houston) … is great university with a situation I’m proud to be a part of. Personally, the move allows a person of my nature a little more security. When you’re getting up in my age, that’s an important factor in life.”

The Houston Chronicle reported on its Web site that Briles will get a seven-year contract for about $1.8 million per season. Briles, who turns 52 Monday, had four years left on his Houston contract with a base salary of $900,000 annually.

Briles replaces Guy Morriss, who was fired Nov. 18 after five seasons. Morriss’ firing came the day after the Bears (3-9) completed their 12th straight losing season with their 12th consecutive Big 12 loss, 45-14 to Oklahoma State.

Unless Briles’ status as UH coach was shaky for some unknown reason, this is certainly a down market move. Baylor has been hapless since Grant Teaff retired as head coach. I’m betting the 100% increase in salary was the motivating factor for Briles. Athletes, Coaches, plaintiffs in lawsuits are all alike. They never say it’s never about the money.

From the Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor assistant football coach suspended indefinitely for urinating on bar

Schnupp, 30, was cited for disorderly conduct-reckless exposure by Waco police after he allegedly urinated on the bar at Scruffy Murphy’s, 1226 Speight Ave., in Waco about 2 a.m. Sunday.

Police were already at the bar for an unrelated incident.

Schnupp coaches Baylor’s offensive line and tight ends and is in his first year at the school after spending three years coaching at West Texas A&M University. He played collegiate football at the University of Miami from 1995-2000.

For some reason, and perhaps because I once lived in Waco, I find this strangely hy-larious.

The ESPN headline: Urine trouble: Baylor assistant relieves self on bar:

Bartender Danny Severe said in Tuesday’s editions of the Waco Tribune-Herald that the incident happened around closing time and that Schnupp apparently thought no one was watching him as employees were moving patrons out of the building.

Severe said an employee witnessed Schnupp urinating on the bar, and a manager told police officers who were there for an unrelated matter.

Good deal (via the AP): ESPN to air up to 5 Big 12 regular-season games

ESPN will televise Big 12 regular-season football games for the first time this season as part of an agreement with Fox Sports Net.

The one-year agreement for up to five games will begin Sept. 15 with Florida State at Colorado on ESPN. ESPN or ESPN2 will also televise a Big 12 game on Oct. 6, 20 and Nov. 3. An additional Big 12 matchup might be aired on Oct. 13.

Each game will be selected on a 12-day basis and aired in primetime.

Cool.

Via the Star-Telegram: Kansas cinches Big 12 championship

Still, I have some hopes we can make to the Elite Eight or maybe even the Final Four.

Speaking of the Big XII and bowls, I have a student who needs it noted to him that a Big XII team beat his Crimson Tide this week:
Oklahoma St. 34, Alabama 31.

Via the AP: Texas Tech 44, Minnesota 41, OT

Tech (8-6) appeared finished after Minnesota (6-7) took a 38-7 lead with 7:47 to go in the third quarter. But the Red Raiders mounted a furious comeback, scoring 31 unanswered points in less than 20 minutes.

Alex Trlica’s 52-yard field goal as regulation expired sent the game into overtime.

Joel Monroe kicked a 32-yard field goal to put Minnesota up 41-38 in overtime, but Shannon Woods scored on a 3-yard run to win it for the Red Raiders.

It would have been an embarrassment for Tech and the Big XII if they had lost to a team that came into the game at .500.