The Big 12 prepares to add schools from the “Four Corners” states and says goodbye to Oklahoma and Texas. New coaches for 2024 as the league underwent a significant makeover. Among the league’s twelve incumbent programs, Houston stands as the sole exception to coaching continuity, with Willie Fritz stepping in from Tulane to lead the Cougars.

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham is the most successful of the four coaches joining from the Pac-12. Deion Sanders is set to attract significant attention as he takes the helm of Colorado, a Big 12 charter member re-entering the league it originally helped establish. Arizona and Arizona State also bring new energy, led by Brent Brennan and Kenny Dillingham, respectively, both eager to make their mark as Power Four coaches.

Deion Sanders was ranked as one of the worst coaches in FBS, according to CBS Sports’ staff. He came in as the second-worst in the conference ahead of Dillingham and 61st overall in major college football. Somehow, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule was 29th overall after having a similar season in Lincoln. Here’s what they said about Coach Prime.

“Sanders’ first season as an FBS coach started with a bang, but ended with six straight losses. He’s generated buzz and excitement by talking a big game and collecting strong transfer talent. But the foundation has cracks — see the offensive line for one example — as the Buffaloes transition to the Big 12 and face another tough schedule.”

Where ESPN has Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter going in 2025 NFL mock draft

The Big 12 features several established coaches renowned for their success and respect within the profession. While the league lacks an obvious national title contender, it boasts numerous solid programs guided by experienced tacticians. This depth was highlighted when the league placed eight coaches among the top 30 in the 2024 CBS Sports Power Four coach rankings. This figure matches the prestigious Big Ten and SEC (each with eight coaches in the top 30), and surpasses the ACC, which has five.

Overall, the Big 12’s coaching landscape is a blend of stability and fresh faces, poised to drive the league’s competitive edge forward in the 2024 season. Sanders will be looking to prove the naysayers wrong and insert himself into the conversation of those at the forefront in the Big 12 coaching ranks.

THURSDAY

Fireworks displays tonight? Absolutely, weather permitting. And the traditional, enjoy from your yards, area-wide celebration featuring music by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and televised, too, is mapped out at coloradospringssports.org/events/4th-of-july In Denver area, fireworks in most cities and after the Rockies Coors Field games, 6:10 p.m. Thursday against Milwaukee Brewers, Friday against KC Royals. Elitch Gardens fireworks after park closes at 9 p.m. Friday.

THURSDAY

July Fourth history comes alive at the traditional Rock Ledge Ranch Family Fourth at Garden of the Gods. Take wagon rides around the historic site, watch dancing by the Seven Falls Indian Dancers, eat ice cream and watermelon, try your luck in the pie-eating contest and hear stories about the past at the Civil War encampment. $10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,  Tickets $4-$8, rockledgeranch.com/event/family-fourth-3

THURSDAY

Everyone’s invited to the community holiday celebration in Monument with its 9:30 a.m. July 4 Parade, Fourth of July Street Fair and so much good food from vendors and at the restaurants. Add to that a beer garden, Palmer Lake Fun Run and festival, ending with fireworks. townofmonument.org/338/4th-of-July-Events

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Head to Denver’s Cherry Creek North for the primo holiday Cherry Creek Arts Festival, one of a kind with 250 artists chosen from 1,942 applicants from around the country and other countries, vendors, food and creative activities for the youngsters. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (6 p.m. Sunday). CherryArts nonprofit provides art education for students year round. cherryarts.org/events/cherry-creek-arts-festival

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Cosplay, sci-fi, anime, celebrities, comics. They’re all part of the gigantic Fan Expo Denver, Thursday to Sunday at Colorado Convention Center downtown. An expected fandom of 100,000. Show hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday). Parking and Light Rail to the Convention Center restricted because of construction. Plan alternatives on RTD Trip Planner. fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/celebrities

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

Racing, a car show, music and fireworks down at PPIR for the ASCEND Music & Motorsports Festival. Time Attack Series and cash prizes, too. 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain. ppir.com

FRIDAY-JULY 10

Holiday rodeo time at the Rooftop Rodeo at Estes Park, called “the rodeo with altitude.” Six days of PRCA rodeo competition and activities. Tickets: $12-$35. rooftoprodeo.com

SATURDAY

Get those yoyo fingers ready to Rock the Baby and even more difficult moves at Mile High Yoyo Club Jamboree 2: Electric Bugaloo, noon to 4 p.m. at 9995 E Colfax Ave., in Aurora. All ages, all yoyo levels, beginner instructions and there will be great tricks to watch. Free club also meets monthly.tinyurl.com/34awuuxy

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Opening weekend for the acclaimed annual  Colorado Music Festival, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder. A full summer concert season, chamber and orchestral music and even a “Green Eggs and Ham” family fun concert. coloradomusicfestival.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

A fourth farm worker has been infected with bird flu in the growing outbreak linked to dairy cows, health officials reported Wednesday.

The worker had direct contact with infected dairy cows on a northeast Colorado farm, state and federal health officials said. The man developed pink eye, or conjunctivitis, received antiviral treatment and has recovered.

READ MORE: How bird flu puts workers on farms and in food processing plants at higher risk

Three previous cases of human infection linked to cows have been reported in dairy workers in Texas and Michigan since March. Two of those workers also developed pink eye, while one had mild respiratory symptoms, In 2022, the first U.S. case of bird flu was detected in a Colorado farm worker exposed to infected poultry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the new infection “does not change” the agency’s assessment that the risk to the general public remains low. Surveillance systems tracking flu in the U.S. have shown no unusual activity, officials said. However, people with prolonged contact with to infected birds or other animals, including livestock, or to their environments, are at higher risk of infection.

The Colorado man was being monitored when he developed symptoms because of his work with dairy cows, according to the CDC. Tests at the state level were inconclusive, but samples sent to CDC tested positive. Full results of genetic analysis of the sample are pending.

As of Wednesday, more than 135 dairy herds in a dozen states had reported infections with the H5N1 virus that originated in poultry, according to the Agriculture Department.