I love my Sooners. Football, baseball, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, you name it. But this is 2 years (a little more realistically) that the basketball programs have not been anywhere near par. I seems like we can get some decent players, but they get hurt and/or don't produce. (For example, Manek, James) Someone has to be responsible, and I think the top of the food chain is getting a little warm. Comments?

All that time with Jim Ross has him ready.

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UPDATE: 10:35a - OK guys, so I'm no longer driving my kids to school - I REALLY expected a formulaic morning - but I'll run over some stuff here.

First, I started hearing some gossip yesterday that Danielson Ike and Oklahoma were in trouble but I checked with a few sources and was rebuffed completely about it and can tell you that Oklahoma even had graphics built out for him today.

So this was a fairly big surprise to most everyone.

It sounds like the kid and his Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst head coach Tony Severino both wanted him at Oklahoma but he has a guardian that apparently saw a better fit at SMU.

My guess is that this was an academics based move and my thoughts kind of echo a source I spoke with today.

"If they think SMU is the better fit, it's unlikely he'd have ever helped (Oklahoma)."

That tends to work out better for everyone - though it stings a little bit just in the loss itself.

I'm told that there will be NO run at Enokk Vimahi and that Oklahoma is going to 'focus on the grad transfer and JUCO market'.

I'm told that the Sooners may be looking at TWO grad transfers right now and the two front runners that most people are talking about the moment are R.J. Proctor from Virginia and Jonah Jackson from Rutgers.

Jackson looks like it will come down to a battle between Ohio State and Oklahoma after Jackson visited Columbus last weekend. He'll visit Oklahoma next week.

Proctor won't be visiting until March but the Sooners are very much involved there.

The twist? I'm told that Oklahoma has a few guys they'd like to land beyond those two so we'll start checking on that.

But Oklahoma may be in a better spot if they can land a couple of quality guys, ride that out for a year and then get back in on a clear high school prospect that maybe is a bit higher on the food chain than Ike.

UPDATE: 8:54a - I no longer have any belief that Oklahoma will sign anyone else today. It sounds like Oklahoma got "guardian" intervention on Danielson Ike.

I can say as of yesterday afternoon he was telling me and OU that it was going to be them.

I think everyone is shocked on this deal but SMU is very much the expectation.

ORIGINAL: OK guys, obviously not a lot happening but just a few odds and ends here...

*Danielson Ike is expected to sign his paperwork at 7 a.m. and I still very much expect that choice to be Oklahoma in spite of a few visits elsewhere over the last few weekends.

He had told me a few days ago that he would have his ceremony "some time before 1 p.m." so it's possible any announcement gets held off for a bit but either way, Oklahoma should know the verdict early on.

**The Brandon Pierce situation is a bit of a mystery but we are under the impression that he won't be signing today. The thing to remember is that he hasn't been to campus yet and that today isn't the only time you can sign. I'm guessing it gets delayed but we'll keep an eye on it as nothing seems set in stone on that topic.

Login to view embedded media I’ve lost count of all the fatalities. When will this terrible gateway gesture come to an end?

@bbrown24
If this case goes in favor of the NCAA, it will return.
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/candce/4:2014cv02758/278361

@nolesooner make it a fun day!

Notes:



Wanted to get this season's thread going since it looks like Jacob Lacey is trending OU's way and soon.
In a rush to start this thread (thrown together in about 30 minutes), I haven't had time to complete the list(s)/fill them in with all of the initial targets. With over 200 names on my list already (not all OU-related), I need a day or two to go through them all/look for any I've missed.
I'm going to list players not officially in the portal since I'm starting this thread before December 5th, the day the portal officially opens for most FBS players.
As always, I'm welcome to any suggestions. I may change a lot of the format, or maybe build a google sheet, but for now, I used last year's template.
This is a thread for those who may like/want/need it. I get that others hate long threads. I hate threads dedicated to EVERY semi-interesting portal name. There's room for both though. Obviously, known offers/commitments are going to get their own threads.


Seriously, I was going to change things up this year but I haven't taken the time to focus on any new ideas...so if there's anything you want to add or change, let me know. Column, row, anything really. I'll try my best to do it.



It's going to be hard to mimic last year but I guess we'll try. I plan to be here for the in

Walking into work Monday

Me tonight


To teachers

I got a promotion recently and this will be a yearly thing for me every time this year. I’ll be in meetings from 7:30am-5pm. Flying in late tonight and flying out Thursday evening. Obviously I don’t want to be bored as hell while I’m there so:

What are some cool things to do after 5 in downtown Houston?

If I only get 2 places to eat dinner in Houston before I leave where should I go?

What’s one piece of architecture/history I should see before I leave?

OK. I'mma try to keep this thread open. See how that goes. Riley did talk about the racist video.

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Blackface video?

"Had a chance to talk to a number of our players. One, I’m proud of them. That’s part of coming to college is learning to speak for yourself and learning to weigh in on values. That’s part of being an American citizen and part of growing up. I think our guys have done a great job. I encourage them to not be afraid to speak their mind. There’s real issues out there and these are going to be part of the guys that are going to be handling these issues as they grow up in that generation. You always want to see it get better and I think we’ve got some guys on our team that are absolutely going to make this place better.

"As far as my reactions to it, it’s sickening. It’s … you hate it. You just do on every level. The one thing I know and I don’t know if I would have enough of an appreciation for this had I not been here two or three years ago when we had a similar incident is I’ve seen this university community, players on our team, staff members, athletic administration, I’ve seen people that have taken a situation like this that is ugly and turn it into a beautiful thing. The changes on our campus since the SAE event three years ago, I don’t know that they would’ve happened as fast and as aggressively had that not happened. There was so many positives that stemmed from that that I was just proud of the way Bob, our players, and not just football — the athletic community, the entire campus, responded to that and handled that. It really felt like in a lot of ways to me and I was the new guy at that point but you could really kind of feel it bring everybody closer together and raised awareness. It became a positive.

"So I’m very confident that everybody involved is going to work hard to make this happen the same way where change continues to happen and we all continue to work together. We’re here to support our players. I know it puts the University in a difficult situation but I know President Gallogly and everybody else will be behind all of our students and there to support them and there to help and we want to do that as well."

Full story:

https://oklahoma.rivals.com/news/roy-manning-named-ou-cornerbacks-coach

***

OU announces the hire of UCLA's Roy Manning as cornerbacks coach at Oklahoma.

Riley on the hire of Manning:

"Roy has proven to be one of the most dynamic recruiters in the country. He's got excellent experience at several great football programs, and has strong recruiting ties all over the place," commented Riley. "He's coached multiple positions, has coached on both sides of the ball and has been a special teams coordinator.

"You love the versatility he brings to your staff, and he obviously has ties with Coach Grinch from their time together. Those guys have a great working relationship and familiarity that I think is really important in this scenario. Roy's got a great personality and I think he's going to be a dynamic coach for us."

Manning on joining the Oklahoma program:

"Oklahoma is obviously a historic and nationally recognized program in all facets," began Manning. "As far as football, it's as successful and consistent as any program's been. I think that's what separates OU is the consistency. They win a lot of football games there, and Coach Riley has done an unbelievable job of taking over the program and taking it to another level with the playoff appearances and the last two Heismans. It's a top destination in college football.

"Playing in Norman this past year on the other sideline, the fan support and atmosphere are second to none. Having the opportunity to join a program with such a winning culture is exciting and energizing. I'm really looking forward to getting started."

Manning on already having worked with Sooners new DC Alex Grinch:

"I couldn't be more excited to link back up with Coach Grinch," he said. "He's as good a defensive coordinator as there is — as a motivator and as a teacher. And at the end of the day, stats don't lie. What he was able to do at Washington State over three years is unbelievable. I'm excited for him and his family, and I know the Oklahoma football family will be extremely excited when they see what we're going to bring on defense."

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Based on new player rankings. #RivalsHatesOU

Just talked to a buddy of mine well connected to the program........... He says only D coach that will be retained is Thibbs.... Didn't have any info on Viney moving into coaching role, but also said they are working like crazy to get Odom aboard!!

UPDATE FROM CAREY: 10:04 a.m.

Just got off the phone with someone who is familiar with the defensive hiring process.

The Sooners have one more hire to make. I'm told that will be either Torrian Gray or Roy Manning to be the defensive backs coach along with Grinch.

Manning doesn't have that deep of a background, but with Grinch being known as a secondary coach, he can help overcome any shortcomings there.

Obviously Torrian Gray is the homerun hire from a coaching standpoint. And I have to think the Sooners are just waiting on his answer before they know where they are going.

With the hiring of Odom the Sooners have just one spot to fill. That means Ruffin is back as a position coach. What that position will be exactly? I couldn't tell you. But Odom coached outside linebackers at Missouri.

But according to source I spoke with this morning, just expect one more hire to be made between Gray/Manning.

ORIGINAL POST:

OK guys, all sorts of stuff to go over, again.

First off, I'm hearing that Oklahoma's decision at defensive back may be made. It sounds as though whoever is hired in that role will be strictly as a cornerbacks coach. There is no, apparent, thought of Grinch coaching anything other than safeties - his area of expertise. And to my knowledge only two guys have been even loosely connected to the job.

The two names I've heard are former Redskins defensive backs coach Torrian Gray and current Virginia Tech defensive backs coach Brian Mitchell.

Now I've heard NOTHING concrete on who that offer will be but just connecting the dots it's hard not to think on Mitchell.

First, the reason I'd eliminate Gray is he is a guy who has a lot of NFL experience, ran his own secondary there, etc. and has excelled at the college level - some great names in his past during his time at Virginia Tech.

Is he going to take on a job as just a college corners coach, even if it is at a place like Oklahoma? I don't think so.

With Mitchell, he is a current corners coach, he worked with Ruffin McNeill and Lincoln Riley at East Carolina and Texas Tech.

He just seems to be a guy that adds up but I'll repeat I do not know 'who' as much as I'm confident that it seems things are nearing an ending.

*Meanwhile at linebacker, I continue to hear Brian Odom's name floated about with some still feeling as though he is the odds on favorite to fill the role.

There are still some hurdles to climb and perhaps we'll cover some of them when the time comes but for now we'll just say there is work to do but I'd still place a bet that Odom and Oklahoma is a likely scenario.

*I spoke a bit with Marcus Hicks about his in-home visit with Alex Grinch and Calvin Thibodeaux and though there wasn't a lot of new ground covered as far as information goes I think it's pretty clear Hicks is excited about his future in Norman.

"The visit went great, he is a great guy," Hicks said. "The main thing I wanted to talk about was the scheme and we had already talked about that prior to today so I just took the time to get to know him while he was here."

But...about that scheme?

*He said it would be the defensive line blowing through gaps and getting in the backfield. As opposed to how it used to be when they would take on blocks," he recalled.

*Finally, a name I'd keep an eye on this week? Denton (Texas) Ryan 2021 pass rusher Ja'Tavion Sanders. He is a guy I saw this season and talked to you all about him as a potential superstar. I'd guess Oklahoma will get a look at him in the next week and I'd be willing to bet once they see him, they offer.

After spending the morning talking to multiple sources I can confirm that Oklahoma and Brian Odom have reached a tentative agreement for him to become a linebackers coach on Alex Grinch's new staff.

I do not think the deal has been finalized but I do believe that it is all but a foregone conclusion.

And it is worth noting that I have heard, and reported, from the beginning that this guy always felt like a priority for Grinch so this would seem near ideal news for the staff as it continues to come together.

Finally found a landing spot .


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Personally I love it, but I am sure many are going to point at his stat line and the fact he probably isn’t a HOFer. Nick was pivotal in the leadership of this team and its move to OKC. I think loyalty matters to this franchise more than most. Good for Nick.

Next will be 0. And 35 will never be up there.

Beaten at home by a coach making just over $250k.

The answer is: Awaiting undercover report from @Eddie_Rado to see if anything else is missing.

Got a tip and checked into a little bit further, but it looks like Bennie Wylie will make a major addition to his strength & conditioning staff with the hire of Caesar Martinez who will make the move from Rutgers to Oklahoma.

Martinez got his start (you probably have already guessed) at Texas Tech as a GA/Student coach in 2006-08. He moved on to become the Director of Strength & Conditioning in 2008 at Incarnate Word before taking a job at Texas in 2010. The following year Bennie Wylie became the head of the Texas S&C program so that's where this working relationship really developed.

Martinez had been at Rutgers for the last year. This is finally the coach to replace assistant S&C coach Mahala Wiggins, a job that had been open for some time.

@Eddie_Rado @Carey Murdock I thought this was a guy we say “Thanks, but no thanks” ???

Done. Official.

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