10 teams the Big 12 should consider pursuing as it navigates conference realignment
By Ethan Lee
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have an ascendant football program, solid baseball team, and a really good softball program
If you’re looking for a school that has a football program that is on the rise, can offer you a consistently good baseball team, and a softball team that will regularly shock other programs, you need to check out the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
When looking at conference realignment, it never hurts to examine schools that are successful at multiple sports and can expand your footprint geographically. Getting Louisiana on the Big 12 map sure wouldn’t hurt the conference any.
Why this could work for the Big 12
Football is the cash cow that generally makes college athletics run for most institutions. Having a good football coach leading things can make all the difference in the world for an athletics department.
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have a really good football coach in Billy Napier. Louisiana is fresh off of a 10-1 season during which Napier led the program to No. 15 in the final AP poll rankings and a win in the First Responder Bowl. He’s been there for three seasons and has gone 28-11 during that timeframe, including 21-4 over the past two years.
Looking beyond football for a second, the Ragin’ Cajuns have one of the most intriguing softball programs in the country. This group is consistently challenging bigger name schools and has plenty of success in its history. All-time, Louisiana has won over 87 percent of its games and has made it to the Women’s College World Series six times. This is a powerhouse program.
On the baseball diamond, you’ll find a team with 16 NCAA tournament appearances, four Super Regional appearances, nine Sun Belt titles, and four Sun Belt tournament titles. This is a solid, respectable program.
Why this wouldn’t make sense for the Big 12
There is no guarantee as to how long Napier will continue as the head coach of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. None at all. His name will continue to be linked to bigger jobs at more prominent programs each and every offseason.
Things could go south at the University of Texas and Napier could very well get a call that he might accept. He’s built a great program that could conceivably succeed for a while after he’s gone if his successor is the right candidate, but who knows how much longer Napier will stick around.