Oklahoma football: Ruffin McNeil takes over as DC
The Oklahoma Sooners have promoted Ruffin McNeil to the defensive coordinator position following the dismissal of Mike Stoops, per a press release Monday morning.
McNeil takes over immediately with defensive analyst Bob Diaco moving into Stoops’ previous role as outside linebackers coach.
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McNeil has experience as a defensive coordinator. He served in the role at UNLV from 1997-98, Fresno State in 1999 and at Texas Tech from 2007-08.
“Ruffin has an impressive résumé,” Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley said in the press release at Soonersports.com. “That’s why I wanted him on our staff in the first place. I have confidence in his knowledge and leadership.”
It is a less-than-ideal situation to switch defensive coordinators in the middle of the season to say the least, but McNeil has experience doing just that.
In 2007 Texas Tech defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich stepped down from his position after a 49-45 loss to Oklahoma State in which the Red Raiders gave up more than 600 yards of total offense. McNeil was able to take the team from seventh in the conference in pass defense, ninth in total defense and tenth in scoring defense to first in both total and pass defense and fourth in scoring. He was eventually named the full-time defensive coordinator for his efforts.
In addition to his previous duties as a defensive coordinator, McNeil was the head coach at East Carolina from 2010-15.
Diaco steps into an active coaching role from his previous analyst position. He won the Broyles Award in 2012 at Notre Dame, given to the best assistant coach in the country. Diaco helped the Fighting Irish defense become No. 2 in the country in scoring defense and earned the team a berth in the 2013 National Championship Game.
“Bob has a lot of experience in very good programs and also has a list of accomplishments that will help him step in and make an immediate impact,” Riley said in the press release at Soonersports.com. “We are fortunate to have these men in our program. They’ll be ready to get to work in new roles right away.”
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The Sooners have two weeks to prepare for their next Big 12 game against TCU on Oct. 20 in Fort Worth. Kickoff time has yet to be announced for that contest.