6/27
By John Shinn Transcript Staff Writer
Boren sees invigorated football program
Oklahoma’s football program was in a depressed state by the end of the 2014 season. Three home losses, including an error-filled regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, and the no-show performance against Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl left a sour taste about the present and the future.
The melancholy came six months after the Sooners’ athletic department publicly set ambitious financial goals for improvements to Owen Field and training facilities for athletes.
OU President David Boren said fundraising results have surpassed earlier expectations. The renovations to the south end zone and the Switzer Center are underway and scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016.
But the inflow of cash would likely increase if the Sooners were not coming off an 8-5 season. Championships make thinking big about facilities more realistic.
“A good season would help,” he said. “I like good seasons, too. They help with a lot of things. They put people in a good mood. They really do.”
The university’s president believes last season’s struggles will not carry into 2015. In the time since last season ended, OU coach Bob Stoops revamped his coaching staff, bringing in four new assistants and juggling responsibilities for the five that remained.
Boren senses a change in Stoops beyond his aides. Physically, he’s changed, too.
The OU coach, who is entering his 17th season, had hip replacement surgery in January.
“People forget he’s a human being like everyone else,” Boren said. “I’m worried about him because I’ve known for three years he needed hip replacement. I know last year, especially the last half of the season, he was constantly in pain. He’s the kind of guy that isn’t going to give into it or talk about it even to me. But he was in pain. There were a whole lot of factors at work.”
Those factors snowballed on the Sooners last season. Erratic quarterback play and an inexperienced secondary were significant factors on the field. On the sidelines, there were situations that seemed chaotic between coaches and players.
Off the field, the Sooners dealt with issues. A university-run Title IX sexual assault investigation ultimately led to 2014 starting middle linebacker Frank Shannon being suspended from school for the academic year. Prized running back recruit Joe Mixon was suspended for the season after he was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female OU student.
Boren was part of the punishments for both players. OU took Shannon’s sanction to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to validate its enforcement. Boren, along with Stoops and athletic director Joe Castiglione, presided over the school’s discipline of Mixon.
The school president believes Mixon and Shannon will have a positive impact this season.
“Both of the two individuals have shown great attitudes. They’ve gone through what they were supposed to go through,” Boren said. “I’ve watched Mixon because he’s been here and I’ve been able to see him more. Discipline, academic wise, he’s done really well. He and Shannon with their colleagues have been great out there. I think they’ve gone the extra mile.
“To me, it’s over. It’s just like being a parent; sometimes you have to punish but then you still care about people. Then you give the, every advantage to work their way back into the fold. They’ve done that.”
The football team’s reaction to the racist fraternity video that emerged in March impressed Boren. Players took leading roles in the response. Stoops and the coaching staff did, too.
Boren believes last season’s problems are history. And the Sooners are ready to invigorate a fan base looking for a spark.
“I wouldn’t trade our coaching staff and I think we have some darn good players. I think some of the freshmen are showing a lot of promise. The morale is very high,” he said.
By John Shinn Transcript Staff Writer
Boren sees invigorated football program
Oklahoma’s football program was in a depressed state by the end of the 2014 season. Three home losses, including an error-filled regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, and the no-show performance against Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl left a sour taste about the present and the future.
The melancholy came six months after the Sooners’ athletic department publicly set ambitious financial goals for improvements to Owen Field and training facilities for athletes.
OU President David Boren said fundraising results have surpassed earlier expectations. The renovations to the south end zone and the Switzer Center are underway and scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016.
But the inflow of cash would likely increase if the Sooners were not coming off an 8-5 season. Championships make thinking big about facilities more realistic.
“A good season would help,” he said. “I like good seasons, too. They help with a lot of things. They put people in a good mood. They really do.”
The university’s president believes last season’s struggles will not carry into 2015. In the time since last season ended, OU coach Bob Stoops revamped his coaching staff, bringing in four new assistants and juggling responsibilities for the five that remained.
Boren senses a change in Stoops beyond his aides. Physically, he’s changed, too.
The OU coach, who is entering his 17th season, had hip replacement surgery in January.
“People forget he’s a human being like everyone else,” Boren said. “I’m worried about him because I’ve known for three years he needed hip replacement. I know last year, especially the last half of the season, he was constantly in pain. He’s the kind of guy that isn’t going to give into it or talk about it even to me. But he was in pain. There were a whole lot of factors at work.”
Those factors snowballed on the Sooners last season. Erratic quarterback play and an inexperienced secondary were significant factors on the field. On the sidelines, there were situations that seemed chaotic between coaches and players.
Off the field, the Sooners dealt with issues. A university-run Title IX sexual assault investigation ultimately led to 2014 starting middle linebacker Frank Shannon being suspended from school for the academic year. Prized running back recruit Joe Mixon was suspended for the season after he was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female OU student.
Boren was part of the punishments for both players. OU took Shannon’s sanction to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to validate its enforcement. Boren, along with Stoops and athletic director Joe Castiglione, presided over the school’s discipline of Mixon.
The school president believes Mixon and Shannon will have a positive impact this season.
“Both of the two individuals have shown great attitudes. They’ve gone through what they were supposed to go through,” Boren said. “I’ve watched Mixon because he’s been here and I’ve been able to see him more. Discipline, academic wise, he’s done really well. He and Shannon with their colleagues have been great out there. I think they’ve gone the extra mile.
“To me, it’s over. It’s just like being a parent; sometimes you have to punish but then you still care about people. Then you give the, every advantage to work their way back into the fold. They’ve done that.”
The football team’s reaction to the racist fraternity video that emerged in March impressed Boren. Players took leading roles in the response. Stoops and the coaching staff did, too.
Boren believes last season’s problems are history. And the Sooners are ready to invigorate a fan base looking for a spark.
“I wouldn’t trade our coaching staff and I think we have some darn good players. I think some of the freshmen are showing a lot of promise. The morale is very high,” he said.
