Tim's mailbag: Why Banks is Big 12's most underrated player - Big 12 - ESPN

Jake from Horseshoe Bay, Texas, wrote: Tim, thanks so much for your blog. Your daily information is getting me through the down season until camps start later this summer. Quick question for you. Who do you consider to be the best coach in terms of developing talent in the Big 12?

Tim Griffin: Jake, thanks for your compliment. I think the best way to judge your question is to look at who gets the most from players who aren't necessarily the four- and five-star recruits. Obviously, coaches like Mark Mangino of Kansas and Gary Pinkel of Missouri have done a nice job in turning their programs in recent seasons with those players. But the coach who consistently gets the most from less-heralded incoming talent is Mike Leach of Texas Tech. His coaching is one of the biggest reasons why the Red Raiders have been the only program to be bowl-eligible every season of Big 12 history. Leach has developed a national reputation for his off-beat, quirky way of doing things. But don't ever underestimate his ability to develop players. He's among the best in the business.