Beginning with the Stoops and then the Gundy brothers, the Big 12 has had a fraternal connection over the years.
This offseason, that Big 12 brotherly connection doubled.
To be its offensive coordinator, West Virginia hired Jake Spavital, the younger brother of Texas Tech linebackers assistant Zac Spavital. While Kansas promoted Garrett Riley, the younger brother of Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, from offensive analyst to quarterbacks coach.
Along with the Sooners’ Bob and Mike Stoops, and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and his brother Cale Gundy, Bob Stoops’ longest-tenured assistant at Oklahoma, the Big 12 now has four sets of brothers coaching within the league -- creating a potentially unusual dynamic on and off the field.