Oklahoma’s Ty Darlington reportedly joining Billy Napier’s Florida staff

Oklahoma’s Ty Darlington is reportedly set to join Billy Napier’s staff at Florida as a quality control coach.

Oklahoma’s Ty Darlington is reportedly joining Billy Napier’s staff at Florida as a quality control coach.

Gabe Ikard, Darlington’s predecessor at the Oklahoma center position, broke the news Tuesday night.

Following his playing career, Darlington joined OU’s staff in 2017 as an offensive quality control coach where he worked closely with Oklahoma’s quarterbacks. After Lincoln Riley left OU to become the next head football coach at USC, Darlington served as the Sooners’ interim quarterbacks coach in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Oregon.

With Cale Gundy as Oklahoma’s offensive play-caller and Darlington coaching quarterbacks, the Sooners’ offense had a fantastic day versus the Ducks.

True freshman quarterback Caleb Williams finished with 242 passing yards and three passing touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing. Meanwhile, redshirt junior running back Kennedy Brooks carried the football 14 times for 142 rushing yards and notched three rushing touchdowns.

It was a banner day for Oklahoma’s offense and Darlington was a big part of helping make that happen. Now, his next coaching opportunity will come with Napier at Florida.

Darlington took to Twitter to announce his departure from OU.

“I am so incredibly blessed to have been a Sooner, and I will be a Sooner for the rest of my life! For the last 10 years, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve this University as a player and as a coach. This chapter at the University of Oklahoma is coming to a close, but what a ride it has been!” Darlington wrote in his announcement.

He also made it clear that he feels the Oklahoma program is in the proper hands moving forward.

“I could not be more excited about the direction of this program under Coach Venables, Coach Lebby, and the rest of the new staff members! The best is yet to come! I will be leaving to pursue opportunities elsewhere, but I will be a Sooner for life!” Darlington said.

Darlington played in 37 games and started 26 games at center for the Sooners while at Oklahoma during the 2012-15 seasons. The Apopka, Fla., native was the winner of the Campbell Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy in the 2015 season.

The Campbell Trophy is nicknamed the “Academic Heisman” and is awarded by the National Football Foundation to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. Similarly, the Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually to the college football player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Darlington was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team by the league’s coaches, All-Big 12 Second Team by the AP and named an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated in 2015.

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