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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would they announce in a Saturday? Or is that more of a Monday-Friday type thing?

https://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/topic/134723-potential-new-db-coach-kerry-cooks/

"I can confirm that Kerry met with Seth and co at the convention this past week. It looks like things are heating up and pointing towards him being the next DB coach. It would be a nice addition to the defensive coaching staff and he is a heck of a recruiter. If there is no snags it looks like he will be the new addition."

Edit: He followed that up with...

"It is looking like he not going to be retained by Grinch at OU. He did meet with Seth at the convention. I am thinking we are hoping to get Cooks as a one year bounce back guy with OU picking up most of the bill. But I am hearing he is drawing some P5 interest so it is not a for sure deal"

Per A's beat writer Susan Slusser. Murray expected to enter his name in the NFL Draft on Sunday. Notable: A's pitchers/catchers report Feb.15, and it was reported this afternoon he is expected to be invited to the major league camp (not unusual for a player of status/draft order).

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UPDATE (Bob) 11:29 a.m.:
Here's Roy Manning's update this morning. So, safe to assume he's staying with UCLA?

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***

What an absolutely wild day...tomorrow may not be any more quiet.

So, so, so much to go over.

*First, I'm told it looks more and more like Ruffin McNeill will remain on staff for next year. I know some had believed he'd be moved into an administrative role but that's not the feel I've got at this point in time.

*Second, with that reality in mind, unless Alex Grinch were to decide to be in charge of the entire secondary, he'd have to hire one linebackers coach rather than some of the outside/inside conversation I've heard.

*Along the same lines of conversation, as we talked about some in the pod, we do NOT think the Brian Odom thing is a closed book. Don't get me wrong, there are hurdles to clear and people have said 'no' but I've just heard enough to think that maybe Grinch and Odom's relationship can overcome things. It won't be shocking to me if he still were to end up as Oklahoma's linebackers coach.

*So Odom could still be in play, and Roy Manning interviewed today. But that's not the entirety of the story, I continue to hear of mutual interest between Oklahoma and Texas State defensive coordinator, and Arizona Cardinals potential linebacker target, Zac Spavital. An interview by the end of the weekend is possible but again there is a lot happening with him and the Cardinals that make his whole situation pretty volatile.

*Next, keep an eye on @Carey Murdock for the morning, has some very interesting news to relay. Let's just say with the news of Kyler Murray to the NFL gaining more and more steam that we're expecting Jalen Hurts to become a very real possibility for Oklahoma. Again, more in the morning.

*Also, I talked a bit about it in yesterday's stuff but I think the news of Bobby Evans going pro this week opens up the possibility of Oklahoma taking both Danielson Ike and Enokk Vimahi that is, of course, if they can pull it off. But I am growing in my belief that this is a situation Oklahoma would be willing to make the numbers work.

And finally guys, I know i've been penning a lot of this stuff but the entire staff is contributing to the work, I'm just the one laying it out. For example, @Eddie_Rado is absolutely lead dog on the Jalen Hurts stuff. He has turned us onto the whole thing, not unlike back in the day when he was the one who woke us all up to Bob Stoops retiring.

I just want to make sure Eddie, @BPrzybylo, and @Carey Murdock are getting their due, these guys are killing it for you all and I appreciate it immensely and hope you all do as well.

DCs Lupoi and Golding. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them mysteriously take jobs elsewhere lateral etc. Word is Saban is trying to correct the defense and it started with them. Not in stone but don’t be surprised in the next few days/weeks

If that happens watch out for:
Shoop
Aranda
Schumman
Schiano

Also a few surprises thinking about testing NFL. Will meet with Saban tomorrow or Friday.

Saivion Smith
Shyheim Carter
Raekwon and Jonah on the fence


Kinda shocking if true. Makes you wonder if Riley ever even extended an offer to Golding.

Also I loved the line “Saban is trying to correct the defense” man it must be nice to correct a defense who allowed below 17ppg.

per Bruce Feldman.

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And by the way, we are literally recording a podcast right now.

@Josh_M dishes on Alex Grinch the recruiter here

@SoonerGrad95 how many likes on this post to get you to change your sig to something significantly smaller?

Really though - no disrespect, but please do your fellow posters a favor.

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Say what you want about Tim Kish but he's about as good of a guy as they come.

Three incoming 5 star WR’s and a wealth of other players wanting the ball, only so much love to spread around...

In Manhattan.

@Eddie_Rado after finished with weather can you give all points bulletin update if anything else is missing besides the money?

I'm certain Grinch will improve things, but the back seven still seems to have question marks.

I have a gut feeling, I think in Grinch's Scheme Caleb Kelly might be someone we see flourish. He ones of those do it all guys I have a feeling Grinch might weaponize like he did Hercules Mata'fa. He's smaller then Hercules, not by much though (Hercules was listed at 250...so prolly in the 240s), but grinch loves that kinda of guy. I think Kelly will benefit from an aggressive scheme as well.

So, there was a lot of rumor mill from "insiders" that Golding was a done deal Interesting stuff Wonder what the truth is.. Was he ever even talked to?

I’m looking forward to see how everything changes.

KU got Les Miles
WV got Neal Brown
KState got Chris Klieman

Iowa St. has improved with Matt Campbell
OU got Alex Grinch as a DC

Don’t forget Fexas is “back”...

This conference is going to change and I can’t wait for next season to start already!

Boomer! I’m excited for Grinch to get to work and see what he can do. His WSU teams averaged around 2 turnovers a game. Just that alone with our offense is a game changer!

Purse & shoe shopping ? We all know she’s OUr real closer .
Pic bc someone is going to ask .

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I posted this on the Grinch rumors swirling thread but I'll pin it because I know we're reaching a boiling point with people expecting something soon:

Maybe it's just because we talk about it more openly on the podcast but I've been saying for a while that Grinch is someone that Lincoln has been intrigued by for a long time. Going into this thing, he was a more serious candidate than Golding just because Lincoln is familiar with what he does. They even tried incorporating some of his concepts into their defense this year at Lincoln's request. But as often happens, if you aren't the one who designed a concept, it's not always easy to implement it and demand it be run the way it should be run.

I think I even posted that about a month ago. And we've all believed that the Golding stuff wasn't going to happen for a while. Although Alabama people in Florida made me believe Golding won't be getting a pay raise at Alabama because that might create complications with Tosh Lupoi and if someone paid him enough, he might consider leaving. But as I've also said many times, if Golding's ultimate goal is to be a Power 5 head coach, he's gonna stay at Alabama until he's the DC and he gets that offer. Because Alabama DC's get head coaching jobs.

I can tell you that when I was talking to people yesterday about Riley's contract, I was told he was razor focused right now on the DC hiring since he got back from Florida. I don't think it will take long for Lincoln to have his guy. And if that guy is Grinch, it could happen quickly. Not sure what Ryan Day will offer Grinch to stay but he's got Kevin Wilson and Mike Yurcich on his offensive staff now so he's into stockpiling coaching talent.

I have yet to hear anything that Lincoln has reached an agreement with anyone. Just continuing to keep my ear to the ground on that.