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10 teams the Big 12 should consider pursuing as it navigates conference realignment

By Ethan Lee

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: DeJon Jarreau #3 of the Houston Cougars dribbles against Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears in the first half during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: DeJon Jarreau #3 of the Houston Cougars dribbles against Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears in the first half during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Running back Trey Ragas #9 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns is lifted into the air by teammate offensive lineman Max Mitchell #74
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Trey Ragas #9 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns is lifted into the air by teammate offensive lineman Max Mitchell #74 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns after he scored a touchdown in the second half of the play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /

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.

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