Another Comparative Analysis: Big 12 Coaches as Characters from Lost

As we continue our look at coaches around the nation, this time we match-up coaches from the Big 12 with characters from ABC's Lost.

Paul Rhodes as Rose Nadler

The relationship of similarity that Rhodes has with Rose is in their slight but important roles within their respective environments. Though neither carry any significant heft, they are one rung up the ladder from universal obscurity experienced by, in Rhodes case, teams in lesser conferences and, in Rose's case, expendable extras who are frivolously dispatched of during ambush scenes.

Just as Rose is not featured in each episode, Rhodes does not find his team showcased every week, but both do enjoy the occasional spotlight in their regularly interactions with entities of substantial substance: Rhodes with programs like OU and Texas and Rose with Kate, Jack, or Juliet.

Art Briles as Bernard Nadler

Rhodes and Bernard find themselves in uniquely similar scenarios within the environments they each occupy. Each seems to be more or less defined by the Catch-22 scenario they face.

For Briles, he can proudly state that he coaches in the Big 12. Unfortunately, this also means that his squad will be subjected to a weekly bludgeoning at the hands of some of the premiere programs in the country.

Similarly, Bernard and his wife survived a plane crash and subsequently found themselves living on an island that has placed his wife's cancer in remission.

The flip side of this is that this very same island also features a ruthless black smoke monster and is currently skipping through the time space continuum. Can't have everything, right?

Mike Sherman as Daniel Faraday

Both have returned to places where they have previously spent time: Sherman spent 1989-1993 coaching the Aggie O-line while we have seen visual and heard anecdotal evidence of Faraday’s time on the Island.

Whether or not this has been in a time-traveling capacity is unclear, but Faraday exhibits an inability to understand or defend against the machinations of the Island, which is a clear parallel to Mike Sherman's inability to understand or defend against Big 12 offenses.

Bill Snyder as Charles Widmore

Each delivered success to their respective ventures, though neither will be confused as paragons of parenting or bastions of charm. Their efforts were achieved through tireless work and they press on even in the face of long odds.

For Snyder, he chases the dream of installing Kansas State as a perennial nation contender and Widmore seeks to find and claim the Island. Snyder faces a formidable opponent in former protégé Bob Stoops and Widmore faces the maniacally nefarious and calculating Ben Linus.

Dan Hawkins as Christian Shepard

Both seem to be dwelling in some kind of purgatory: Hawkins as head coach of Colorado and Shepard as a spiritual guide of sorts on the Island. They are similar in their failure to meet expectation within their jobs with Shepard's failure largely attributed to his alcohol abuse.

Hawkins experience with failure is the direct result of a gimmicky offense failing to translate to a more talented and athletic conference. Also, both men have fathered sons who don't get it.

For Jack Shepard, "it" is not repeating the alcoholic mistakes of his father. For Cody Hawkins, "it" is the basic fundamentals of quarterbacking.

Bo Pelini as John Locke

Both men are trying to save things that have been subjected to disrepair: Pelini is trying to save Nebraska football and John is trying to save and stabilize the Island.

Both entities have experienced trauma at the hands of diabolical and reckless men: Bill Callahan and Ben Linus. Unfortunately, both Pelini and Locke may be called to sacrifice themselves for the sake of what they are saving.

Gary Pinkel as Libby

Both Palmer and Pinkel operate in relatively middling capacities with flashes of importance. Pinkel was briefly on the national stage two years ago when Missouri was poised to make a National Championship game appearance. Libby was an important member of "the tail section" and was seen cryptically present in Hurley's mental institute-orientated back-story.

Though both seem generally likeable, it is doubtful that either will escape the barriers of their conditions: Pinkel with the Missouri program and Libby after being fatally shot by Michael.

Also, both had a weak spot for fat dudes: Pinkel with Chase Daniel and Libby with Hurley.

Mike Gundy as Miles Straume

Both are prone to outbursts and command an unexplainable prowess: Straume can speak to the dead and Gundy manages to get college-age athletes to agree to live in Stillwater, Oklahoma for up to four years. It is still unclear which of the two has the more impressive power.

Mike Leach as James "Sawyer" Ford

Just as Mike Leach appears slightly offbeat, Sawyer also manages to colorfully imbue each Lost episode with his quirky names and drippy southern twang.

Widely known to be a pirate aficionado, Leach runs an extreme offense in an extremely offensive conference.

Lastly, both are known to be con men. Leach with his offense’s repetitious disappointment in games of significance and Sawyer in the numerous schemes he ran prior to landing on the island.

Mark Mangino as Hugo "Hurley" Reyes

It wasn't as much of a foregone conclusion as you would think. The polar bear from season 1 had a pretty compelling case.

At any rate, the main similarity is their flubbery physiques and a fascinating inability to lose weight despite existing within an environment that discourages steady and consistent gorging while encouraging sweatiness and daily exercise.

Mack Brown as Sayid Jarrah

Just as Sayid has a tremendous advantage in his military training through the Republican Guard, so too does Mack Brown enjoy the tremendous advantage of running an iconic football program in the state of Texas which is replete in Longhorn fans and 5-star recruits.

Unfortunately, just as Sayid constantly finds himself captured or neutralized, so has Mack Brown’s program been found lacking in the face of championship expectations despite a tremendously advantageous perch on the recruiting landscape.

Bob Stoops as Ben Linus

Brilliant. Ruthless. Cunning. Manipulative. Successful. These words are equally indicative of both men. They both repeatedly position themselves for success when they should otherwise be counted out.

For Ben, this is seen when it is discovered that he has a malignant tumor on his back as well as when John Locke usurps his role as leader.

For Stoops, this is seen in almost every season when the national media and public talk themselves into a seemingly invincible Sooners team and are invariably disappointed when Stoops and company lay an egg (see USC epic beat-down for '04 title, the Boise State meltdown in the '06 Fiesta, the lethargic West Virginia performance in the '07 Fiesta Bowl, and the offensive no-show against Florida for the '08 title).

And before anyone comments on it, I like Jack and Desmond as much if not more than most everyone else, but I just couldn't find the comparison to make with any of the coaches in the Big 12. Please comment with your recommendations on who, if anyone, they should compare to.