Nov 8, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops reacts to a call in action against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Coaching Staff
Bob Stoops is in his 17th season as head coach of the Sooners. His 168 career wins at OU is the most in program history, exceeding two other OU coaching icons in Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer. Stoops’ 12 10-win seasons since 2000 is the most in the nation.
During the offseason, Stoops made more changes in his staff than at any other time in his tenure at Oklahoma. The most significant coaching change was at offensive coordinator. Co-coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell were let go and Lincoln Riley was hired to run the offense. Riley’s Air Raid offense at East Carolina last season finished third in the nation in passing yardage and was fifth in total offense.
Kerry Cooks was brought in from Notre Dame to coach the defensive backs. Brother Mike Stoops will continue in his role as the defensive coordinator, but will be calling signals from the press box this season instead of on the sidelines. In addition, Mike will assist Tim Kish as linebackers coach, working with the outside backers.
Assistant head coach Cale Gundy, a former quarterback at Oklahoma, has moved from running backs coach to work with the wide receivers in the 2015 season. Jay Boulware takes over working with the running backs.
Offensive line coach Jerry Montgomery left the program to take a job in the NFL as an assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers. His replacement is Diron Reynolds, who spent last season at Stanford and a decade before that coaching defensive lines in the NFL.
Dennis Simmons also is new to the Sooner coaching staff this season. Previously at Washington State and before that at East Carolina, Simmons will coach the outside receivers. Grade: A-