Tag: Joe Jon Finley

Cale Gundy ‘excited about the opportunity’ to call plays for Oklahoma against Oregon

Co-offensive coordinator and inside receivers coach Cale Gundy is “excited about the opportunity” to be Oklahoma’s play-caller vs. Oregon.

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Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator and inside receivers coach Cale Gundy hasn’t called plays since some practices while he was at UAB in the late 1990s.

“I did a little bit with some practice stuff a long time ago when I was at UAB in Birmingham with Watson Brown but have not since. Very excited about the opportunity and having a chance to do this,” Gundy said.

The longtime Oklahoma assistant coach gets his first official crack at it when the Sooners battle Oregon in the Valero Alamo Bowl at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Gundy has been around plenty of explosive offenses over his 23-year tenure as one of the assistant coaches at Oklahoma, and he’s leaning on those experiences versus the Ducks.

“Well, you learn a lot, and, obviously, I’ve been here, I’ve been around several offensive coordinators and coaches who have called games,” Gundy said.

Gundy has picked up pieces from all of those offensive minds, but this is at long last his chance to put his unique imprint as an offensive play-caller on a game for the Sooners.

“There’s a lot of preparing, and everything from the script, things can be different, maybe some things that I thought that maybe is going to help me better on the 29th to call plays is things that I’ve done for myself and may not be the way that they were done in the past, but I’ve got to do what’s best for me and what’s going to be best for our offense,” Gundy said.

Ultimately, Gundy wants to put his players in the best position to be successful.

“We’ve got to do what’s best and the strength of our football team, and that’s what we’re going to do. I’d love to be able to elaborate on that to you, but I just can’t do that. You’ll have to wait and see in a couple nights. But we’re going to play to our strengths and whatever is best for our football team, that’s a decision that myself and the other offensive coaches that came together have really helped me in this situation.

“Our coaches, all of us have done a tremendous job putting this game plan together. We just want to allow our guys to play fast and play very, very physical. That’s what we want to do. We’re going to put them in the best position to be successful,” Gundy said.

Oregon will be without its All-American edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and a bevy of other defensive starters. Gundy said Oklahoma can’t focus on who Oregon is missing.

“You know, we just kind of worry about ourselves. Again, I’m more concerned about our offense and how our players play. Again, what can we do the best. I just can’t really be too concerned about and speculate what’s going to be out there Wednesday night. If we execute and do the things that we’re supposed to do, everything will work out fine. I believe that 100%.

“They’re going to have 11 guys out there, and that’s all we’re worried about. We can’t spend a lot of time because you can go back and watch film and try to speculate who you think may be out there, and if there’s not a lot of film like certain guys playing corner or linebacker or defensive line, then you really don’t know. Again, it comes down to us. Their players are at the University of Oregon because they’re good football players. They would not be there if they were not good football players, whether they’re a freshman scholarship or sophomore or junior or senior or whether they’re a walk on,” Gundy said.

True freshman quarterback Caleb Williams will make his seventh career start for Oklahoma. As a former starting quarterback for OU, Gundy knows better than just about anybody what types of challenges Williams has faced throughout 2021.

He’s been impressed by his signal-caller, too.

“Just to see how Caleb has continued to get better through this year, I mean, it’s really — the better days — he’s still got so much room to grow as a football player and as a person. He’s so very, very talented, but there’s still so much to learn being out there as a young guy that every day that goes by and the more reps and the more practices you get, you’re going to get better. He’s heading in that direction,” Gundy said.

Gundy has been up in the press box for Oklahoma the past couple seasons. That won’t change against Oregon, but the gravity of his role for the Sooners against the Ducks will.

Along with Bob Stoops’ return as Oklahoma’s interim head coach, Gundy finally serving as the Sooners’ offensive play-caller is right toward the top of the list for reasons this OU bowl game is captivating.

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Clemson director of player development Thad Turnipseed joining Oklahoma staff per reports

Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Williams reports that Clemson director of player development Thad Turnipseed is joining Oklahoma.

Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Williams reported that Thad Turnipseed is leaving Clemson to join Brent Venables at Oklahoma.

Turnipseed served as Clemson’s director of player development, freshman transition and external affairs.

ESPN’s Chris Low confirmed the report and said that Turnipseed will serve as Venables’ “right-hand man.”

Without an official announcement from Oklahoma yet, it’s unclear what exactly Turnipseed’s role will be with the Sooners, but he’s worn a variety of hats in the past and chances are his job title at Oklahoma will be similar to the position he just vacated at Clemson.

Turnipseed’s background is interesting. He was a former Alabama football player that was part of the Crimson Tide’s 1992 national championship team whose career ended early because of knee injuries.

The story goes that Turnipseed owned a construction and flooring business when he was approached by former Alabama athletic director Mal Moore for a donation on a capital campaign Moore wanted to kick off.

Jokingly, Turnipseed responded that he couldn’t help much in terms of donations but that he could help build it.

What followed was Turnipseed became one of the most important behind-the-scenes figures at Alabama.

The New York Times’ Matt Fortuna wrote a great piece about Turnipseed ahead of the 2017 College Football Playoff’s national championship game.

Here’s a portion of what Fortuna wrote about Turnipseed at the time detailing his role to begin with at Alabama and some of what he wound up doing at Clemson.

He started as the director of capital projects, working his way up to roles as associate athletic director for special projects and, more important, as Saban’s director of football external affairs. The catchall job titles forced Turnipseed to perform many duties; he helped to design and oversee more than $200 million in athletic projects, including stadium renovations and expansions, and helped to build a room in Saban’s house dedicated to recruiting.

At Clemson, Turnipseed was tasked with building the Tigers’ recruiting department, which has added positions with new-media-era titles — assistant director of football operations and creative media, director of new and creative media, coordinator of digital content — not to mention dozens of student helpers. These seemingly amorphous roles are all aimed at spreading Clemson’s message in forward-thinking ways, using social media to connect with recruits from a distance while also monitoring their behavior for potential red flags. – Fortuna, New York Times

Turnipseed is the second Clemson staffer to join Oklahoma. Venables announced that defensive analyst Ted Roof would be joining OU as the Sooners’ next defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Venables also announced Jeff Lebby as Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and that OU would retain Bill Bedenbaugh, Joe Jon Finley, Cale Gundy and DeMarco Murray on his coaching staff.

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Brent Venables announces first two assistant coaching hires in Jeff Lebby, Ted Roof

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced the hirings of offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced his first two assistant coaching hires on Friday. Venables named Jeff Lebby as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Ted Roof as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Lebby comes over to the Sooners from Ole Miss where he was the Rebels’ offensive coordinator and helped lead Ole Miss to its first 10-win regular season in program history.

Ole Miss currently owns the nation’s No. 4 total offense, averaging 506.7 yards per game. The Rebels are No. 9 in rushing offense with 224.2 rushing yards per game and No. 21 in passing offense with 282.4 passing yards per game.

Under Lebby’s direction, each of his past three offensive units have ranked in the top four nationally in total offense and in the top 20 in scoring offense.

“I’m grateful to Coach Venables and Joe Castiglione for the chance to come back to OU and serve as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. My five years here as a player and then student assistant under Coach (Bob) Stoops represent some of the best of my life. They provided me with a real love and respect for the game of football and laid the foundation for my understanding of what it means to be a successful coach. I will work daily to earn the faith Sooner Nation has put in me to represent this storied program,” Lebby said in a statement.

Venables said Oklahoma is getting one of the most talented offensive coordinators in the country.

“We’re thrilled to welcome to our staff maybe the hottest offensive coordinator in college football. The more thoroughly we scouted Jeff, the more we became convinced that he has the character and ability we need and want at OU. Jeff’s offenses and the players he’s coached are some of the most productive in the game. He’s going to bring a dynamic and diverse system that will take advantage of our playmakers. He’s one of the best when it comes to game planning and attacking defenses with his smart and aggressive style. His relentless and innovative approach will make us incredibly difficult to defend. We’re excited to have one of the fastest-rising coaches in the game leading our offense and quarterbacks,” Venables said.

Meanwhile, Roof joins Oklahoma after a 35-year coaching career. Roof served as a defensive analyst for Clemson this season.

The Georgia Tech alum has served as defensive coordinator at Massachusetts, Western Carolina, Georgia Tech, Duke, Minnesota, Auburn, UCF, Penn State, North Carolina State, Appalachian State and Vanderbilt.

In the 2019 season as Appalachian State’s defensive coordinator, Roof helped the Mountaineers to a 13-1 record and guided a unit that led the nation in defensive touchdowns.

As Auburn’s defensive coordinator, Roof led an Auburn defense in 2010 that held Oregon to 19 points—30 points below the Ducks’ season average—and a 14-0 campaign and the BCS national championship.

From 2008-20, Roof’s defenses held opponents to 110 rushing yards or less 57 times.

Roof was also Duke’s head coach from 2004 to 2007. During his playing career, Roof was a first-time All-ACC selection as a senior in 1985.

“There have been so many great coaches, players and tough-minded competitors who have made up all the championship teams that have been part of the incredible Oklahoma tradition. For me, it is an honor and a privilege to serve on an OU football staff under the strong leadership of Coach Venables. I have a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for him both as a man and a coach. He’s got a long track record of success, molding championship teams and maximizing student-athletes’ football abilities. But he gives them much more than that. He equips them with the tools and helps them develop the successful habits that will make them champions off the field for the rest of their lives. Brent gets that. He understands the privilege and responsibility that goes with it,” Roof said of joining Oklahoma.

Venables cited Roof’s experience, ties to the southeast and ability as a recruiter for reasons why the hire made sense for OU.

“Ted is one of the most experienced coordinators and one of the best teachers in all of college football, and he’s done it in some of the premier conferences in the sport – the SEC, Big Ten and ACC. He has a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience, most of which has been in the southeastern part of the country where he is very well connected. He’s been a head coach, is a fabulous recruiter and is one of the most revered players in Georgia Tech history from his time as a linebacker there. We’re fortunate to have a person of his stature lead our defense, and he’s going to make us stronger and tougher on that side of the ball,” Venables said.

Venables also announced that he is retaining Cale Gundy, Bill Bedenbaugh, DeMarco Murray and Joe Jon Finley on his Oklahoma coaching staff.

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Kaden Helms, Jason Llewellyn still all-in on commitments to Oklahoma

Three-star tight ends Kaden Helms and Jason Llewellyn both confirmed they are sticking with their commitments to Oklahoma.

Kaden Helms and Jason Llewellyn gave Oklahoma fans good news to start the week. After the hiring of new head coach Brent Venables had Sooner Nation feeling the warm and fuzzies, Helms and Llewellyn shared that they are sticking with their commitments to Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class.

Helms, a product of Bellevue West High School in Nebraska, had some fun with his announcement, too.

Helms is rated as a three-star tight end according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-5 tight end actually checks in as a four-star in 247Sports’ own rankings and the site has him as the nation’s No. 16 tight end.

Llewellyn out of Aledo High School in Aledo, Texas, ranks as the nation’s No. 18 tight end according the 247Sports composite rankings.

It helps with Helms and Llewellyn’s recruitments that tight ends and H-Backs coach Joe Jon Finley looks like he’s one of the assistant coaches being retained.

In his introductory press conference, Venables discussed how he plans to sell recruits on sticking with OU.

“Well, I have a career of almost 30 years of being loyal. Just look at my career. If I’ve been something, I’ve been loyal. And so, I haven’t been a coach that’s jumped all over. Taken this job to take this job to take this job. I think that that speaks for itself. Again, it’s not an easy thing to sell, but I do think that they chose Oklahoma for a reason and we always challenge recruits to take the recruiting coach out of it. And just what a wonderful place it is to chase your dreams, to get a great, quality education, to develop holistically. It’s much more than just one person. I recognize that being the head coach has a very important place in all of that. But, again if they’re looking for…again, for me for example, if they’re looking for a program with stability, a program of success. This is a program first of all that’s displayed that on its own and then my career has been exactly that as well. On the biggest stages in the biggest games and have that kind of experience to sell,” Venables said.

Venables was asked if he planned on retaining any of the coaches on the current staff.

“Obviously, you prepare yourself for a long time way before. Every battle is won before it’s fought. That’s the same kind of mindset when it comes to staffing. We’re working through that right now. The same with our current staff. There’s some terrific options right here at home and we’re looking at everything. Obviously, we want to do it sooner rather than later and we’re working aggressively on both fronts,” Venables said.

Venables also said it’s his intention to hire a defensive coordinator. OU has already seen outside linebackers and defensive ends coach Jamar Cain announce his intentions to join the USC staff and it’s fair to expect other changes to be on the way.

Those staffing changes will have a direct impact on Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class between now and when the upcoming Early Signing Period begins on Dec. 15.

In the meantime, here’s a comprehensive list of recruits that have announced their intentions to remain with the Sooners.

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Bob Stoops, OU Assistant Coaches making an impact on current roster, recruiting trail

Not missing a beat, Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners assistant coaches have been making a big impact on the recruiting trail.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long way to go in securing the football program’s future, but in the wake of all the chaos that’s surrounded the last several days, they’re still in a promising position. And that’s thanks to the efforts of the Oklahoma assistant coaches and interim head coach Bob Stoops on the recruiting trail.

Still, just a few days removed from the sudden departure of Lincoln Riley and other assistants, those who’ve remained loyal to the program haven’t wasted any time. With the opening of in-home visits across the country, they’ve made quick work getting to their top recruits in the 2022 recruiting class to continue to build relationships with the players and their families.

Guys like DeMarco Murray, Cale Gundy, and Joe Jon Finley have been active with Bob Stoops to continue to put Oklahoma’s best foot forward. Although nothing is certain, the efforts being made by the Oklahoma contingent have meant a lot to the OU prospects.

When Stoops took over as the interim head coach, he made it known that his priority was stabilizing the program for the current players and then getting out on the trail to remind recruits that “this is still Oklahoma.”

Stoops was doing just that on a visit yesterday with 2022 running back Gavin Sawchuk in Nevada. He was in Arlington, Texas, recently as well visiting with Xavion Brice. The other night, he was with Robert Spears-Jennings in Tulsa. At the same time, Joe Jon Finley was in Kansas to further his relationship with Kaden Helms.

With the early signing period approaching, the Sooners current staff of coaches are making a significant impact furthering the interests of the University of Oklahoma. It remains to be seen just how much the coaching change will hurt the Sooners over the next couple of recruiting cycles, but whatever happens, it won’t be because the assistants who stuck with the Sooners didn’t give their best efforts.

Despite the uncertainty of their future, the assistant coach team at Oklahoma continues to grind away for the betterment of the program. Bob Stoops’ passion and commitment to the program helps to add to the relationships the assistants already have with the kids their visiting or attempting to retain.

Their relationships with current and (hopefully) future Sooners is what will make the difference in December of 2021 and beyond.

Oklahoma lands another tight end commit with Kaden Helms

Oklahoma Sooners land its second tight end of the 2022 class in Kaden Helms. His pledge was the second of the day after 2023 four-star athlete Treyaun Webb.

The Oklahoma Sooners received positive recruiting news on Saturday with the commitment of 2022 tight end-wide receiver hybrid Kaden Helms. Continue reading “Oklahoma lands another tight end commit with Kaden Helms”

Former Oklahoma TE Joe Jon Finley to replace Shane Beamer as Sooners coach

Former Oklahoma tight end Joe Jon Finley was named to the coaching staff on Tuesday as the associate head coach for offense.

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An old face is coming back to Norman.

Former Oklahoma tight end Joe Jon Finley has been named the new associate head coach for offense on Tuesday, sliding into the role previously held by Shane Beamer.

Finley played for the Sooners from 2004-2007 catching 62 passes for 775 yards and ten touchdowns. Over the past five seasons, he has been on the coaching staffs at Mississippi, Texas A&M and Missouri.

“We’re excited to welcome Joe Jon and his family back to Norman,” head coach Lincoln Riley said in a release. “He obviously had a great playing career and has established himself as one of the top tight end coaches in the country. He’s had great experience working for several tremendous programs and I know he’s going to bring a lot to ours. We’re thrilled to welcome him back and can’t wait for him to get started.”

Last season at Ole Miss, he helped the Rebels become one of the top offenses in the country under Lane Kiffin as the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach. He now returns to where his collegiate career began nearly two decades ago.

“Oklahoma’s my alma mater, it’s where I met my wife and where I started my coaching career, so obviously it’s a special place to my family,” Finely said in the same release. “I look forward to working with great coaches, great players and great support from Sooner Nation. I can’t thank (Athletics Director) Joe Castiglione and Coach Riley enough for bringing me back home. Boomer Sooner!”

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