Tag: Seth Littrell

Jackson Arnold ‘excited’ to work new Sooners Offensive Coordinator Seth Littrell

Oklahoma has a new play-caller heading into the bowl game but Jackson Arnold feels he’s the right man for the job.

The Oklahoma Sooners will have to replace two key offensive figures heading into the bowl game and next year into the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag] are off to other schools. Gabriel to play for the Oregon Ducks and Lebby to be the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

So, now it’s time for the [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] show. Arnold will take over as the starting quarterback and Littrell will take over as co-offensive coordinator with [autotag]Joe Jon Finley[/autotag] and will handle the playcalling.

Arnold talked about what Littrell has been like in his new role with the team. “It’s hard for Coach Littrell because we are still going off of Lebby’s plays and his terminology right now,” Arnold said. “So, I won’t see Coach Littrell take over and implement his styles until the spring, but so far, I’ve seen him step into a more vocal role. Especially in our meeting rooms. That was something I was very curious to see, knowing him coming from an analyst to a position to an OC now, I was curious to see that transition and I think he’s stepped up and been a more vocal leader for us.”

Littrell has a history of leading some high-powered offenses, whether that was for the North Carolina Tar Heels, Indiana Hoosiers, or his most recent stop as the head coach of the North Texas Mean Green.

But the main question for myself and for Sooner fans is what does he like to do? Is he more of a running guy because of his background as a fullback or is he more of a passing guy because of his background in the Air Raid?

“He’s very balanced,” Arnold said. “He loves to run the ball, he loves to throw the ball. There’s not one thing he specializes in. But being an H-back as he was a tough guy. So, obviously, he’s going to run the ball. But he’s a very balanced OC, and I’m super excited to get to work with him.”

While some may not have loved the hire, it’s clear his players are excited and believe he’s the right man for the job. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.

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What is Oklahoma getting in transfer WR Deion Burks?

Taking a look at what Purdue transfer Deion Burks can bring to the aOklahoma offense next year.

Oklahoma made a significant splash in the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] market this week when they landed Purdue wide receiver Deion Burks. Burks entered the portal after a solid year as a Boilermaker in the Big Ten, but middling quarterback play did him no favors.

Burks is as talented a playmaker to enter the portal this cycle, and his commitment to Oklahoma is significant. The Sooners weren’t particularly searching for additional wide receiver help and would only take a commitment from someone they knew was a stone-cold killer and could contribute immediately.

That fits Burks to a tee, considering multiple people, including Pete Thamel, are reiterating that Burks has the ceiling of a top 100 prospect in the NFL Draft. Thamel confirmed he had also spoken to NFL sources that corroborated this notion. Specific metrics like explosive and chunk play percentage compared Burks favorably to upcoming first-round draft pick Keon Coleman of FSU. Those types of guys are the types you take flyers on, no matter what your numbers look like.

In landing Burks, they have found a replacement and potential upgrade to Drake Stoops in the slot. Stoops is a fan favorite, but Burks is a better and more explosive athlete. For obvious reasons, he may never endear himself to fans the way Stoops did. However, his athleticism what he can do as a slot receiver adds layers to the Sooners’ offense under offensive coordinators  Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley.

Burks was a track star in high school. His vertical straight-line speed is a nightmare for opposing defenses. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound receiver could stretch the field from the slot while opening up the intermediate areas for other Sooners receivers.

His tape showcases his ability to make tough catches in traffic. He isn’t limited to just the slot. Purdue isolated him outside the numbers, where Burks utilized his speed to stack defenders and create separation to win routes. This should open up Oklahoma to get creative because of the depth of their receiver room. Not being able to bracket coverage any receiver next year will be paramount.

If Burks’ ability to win downfield isn’t appealing enough, he is a player the Oklahoma offensive brain trust can also get involved in the run game with handoffs, sweeps, and screens. He is explosive and dynamic with the ball in his hands. The apprehension of jet sweeps from the Lebby days may still exist among many, but the jet sweeps aren’t the problem. The person running them or the situation in which they were called never made much sense. Someone like Burks is precisely the type of athlete you scheme to get the ball in their hands and sit back while he gets to the edge or finds open space.

We’d also add that with a dynamic slot guy like Deion Burks, Oklahoma can create matchup advantages in the running game next year.

With their wide receiver depth, Oklahoma should consider utilizing more ten personnel (one running back, four wide receivers, and no tight ends) next year. It would take the tight end off the field but allow the Sooners running backs and Jackson Arnold to see lighter boxes in the running game. Teams would have to deploy more defensive backs to respect the capabilities of the receivers Oklahoma has. Instead of seven or eight-man boxes, Gavin Sawchuk may see five or six-man boxes. That one less defender makes all the difference between a decent play and a chunk play.

To conclude, Burks should improve this offense next year. His inclusion gives Oklahoma five legitimate receivers with production. Jackson Arnold will have no shortage of weapons in his first season as the starting quarterback.

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Oklahoma offers Michigan State transfer OT Spencer Brown per 247Sports

Oklahoma is pursuing offensive line help in the portal, offering OT Spencer Brown, a grad transfer from Michigan State.

Oklahoma’s offensive line will look quite different when they get set to start their first season in the SEC.

The Sooners have lost or could potentially lose every starter from the line that took the field for the first game of this season. [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], and [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] are headed to the NFL. [autotag]Savion Byrd[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Anderson[/autotag] entered the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] today. [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag] has yet to make his plans known, but there’s a real chance he will bolt for the NFL.

The offensive line changed throughout the season, and true freshman [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag] usurped the left guard spot. He looks like the only penciled-in piece heading into next year. [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag] took over at right tackle after Guyton suffered an injury and will have the inside track at one of the starting tackle spots.

So, how does [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] construct the offensive line for new play-caller [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag]? That’ll be something to monitor over the coming months, but we know that Oklahoma is unafraid of seeking help outside the building.

Oklahoma has offered Michigan State transfer Spencer Brown (subscription required), per 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu. Ole Miss and USC are also contending for his services. No visits have been set up as of yet, per Trieu.

A grad transfer, the 6-foot-6, 315-pound Brown is a true mauler who could bring some nastiness and much-needed experience to the offensive line. He has one year left and could slot in at the other tackle spot that Sexton doesn’t occupy.

The Sooners look to be actively searching for offensive line help via the portal, and tackle is an excellent start. It’s conceivable they bring in possibly two linemen from the portal to add depth, at minimum, for the interior offensive line and tackle.

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Sooners RB Tawee Walker planning to enter transfer portal

Running back Tawee Walker announces his plan to enter transfer portal.

Oklahoma’s running back room just got slightly smaller as junior running back Tawee Walker announced plans to enter the transfer portal.

The decision comes as a bit of a shock, considering Walker is the clear-cut number two back on the team. Still, it’s understandable that Walker decided to seek opportunities for more carries as Gavin Sawchuk has tightened his grip as the bell-cow back towards the end of the season and into the offseason.

This year, Walker has been a significant part of the Sooners’ running game. While his numbers aren’t gaudy, except for a one-game suspension, Walker had multiple carries in critical moments in almost every game this season. Walker and Marcus Major were the duo that got the season started, while Sawchuk and his fellow 2022 classmate Jovantae Barnes worked to get healthy.

Walker, who walked on from Palomar College, appeared in 10 games and started one. This season, he rushed for 496 yards with seven touchdowns and zero fumbles, averaging a sturdy 5.2 yards per carry. He had two multi-touchdown games—one against Arkansas State to start the season and another against Texas in the Red River Rivalry game.

As new play-caller Seth Littrell attempts to start piecing together his vision for this offense next year, he’ll have to do so without arguably Oklahoma’s most physical runner.

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OFFICIAL: Oklahoma announces Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley as co-offensive coordinators

Oklahoma Sooners officially announce Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley as co-offensive coordinators.

First reported last night, it’s now official. Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley will be the co-offensive coordinators for the University of Oklahoma.

The Sooners moved quickly to replace Jeff Lebby who was hired by the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In Littrell and Finley, the Sooners hand the reins to a pair of former players who have gleaned from the some of the best offensive minds in college football over the last 20-plus years.

Littrell will be the play-caller and will coach the quarterbacks, a role he took on this past summer at Brent Venables’ football camps. Finley will earn an expanded role in the offensive game-planning.

In addition to the promotion of Littrell and Finley, the Sooners retain their main offensive staff. As Oklahoma prepares for a move to the SEC with a first-year starter at quarterback and the job of replacing anywhere from three to four offensive linemen, having continuity in the coaching staff will lessen the disruption.

Oklahoma had the No. 3 scoring offense and the No. 4 offense in total yards in 2023 and an incredible stable of skill players returning for the 2024 season.

More: Social Media Reacts to Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley as co-offensive coordinators.

Here is the full release from the Oklahoma athletic department

Following the departure of former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby on Sunday to become head coach at Mississippi State, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables announced Wednesday that Seth Littrell has been promoted to offensive coordinator and that tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley has been elevated to co-offensive coordinator.

Littrell, who has been an offensive analyst for the Sooners this season following a seven-year head coaching stint at North Texas, will coach quarterbacks and serve as OU’s offensive play-caller. Finley, wrapping up his third season on OU’s staff, will continue to coach tight ends and will play an increased role in offensive game-planning and oversight.

“I’m thrilled to announce two former OU players as our new brain trust on offense,” said Venables, whose Sooners are 10-2 and ranked No. 12. “Seth and Joe Jon are going to make an amazing duo and lead a fantastic group of offensive coaches.

“I love the journey Seth’s been on since he left here as a player following our 2000 national championship. He was one of my favorite players, even though I didn’t coach him directly. I just had so much respect for him — his toughness, his instincts, his attitude, his mindset and his love for everything Oklahoma, thanks in part to his dad playing here. It’s awesome to be able to welcome Seth back in a coaching role. He coached under Mike Leach for four years at Texas Tech and worked with other brilliant offensive minds like Mark Mangino at Kansas, Sonny Dykes at Texas Tech and Arizona, Kevin Wilson at Indiana and Larry Fedora at North Carolina. He was a play-caller for over a decade and worked with some high-level quarterbacks like Nick Foles, Nate Sudfeld, Marquise Williams and Mitch Trubisky, among others, as well as a bunch of other tremendous skill players. Our guys are going to love what he brings to the table every day.

“And I’ve known Joe Jon since he was a 17-year-old quarterback at Arlington (Texas) High School playing for a legendary coach in his dad, Mickey. Football and coaching have been in Joe Jon’s DNA his whole life. He’s got a tremendous offensive mind and his command and leadership of young people is special. He gained great experience at excellent programs, with stops at Baylor, Missouri, Texas A&M and Ole Miss, and has had exposure to some of the best offensive minds in college football. I really love what he is all about, with his offensive philosophy and the toughness he brings to the facility every day. He’s one of the best teachers and motivators I’ve been around. He’s incredibly bright and our players are going to love him in his enhanced role. He knows our system inside and out and he’s going to be a great head coach in the near future. He passed up on opportunities to be the sole coordinator at other programs because he wanted to do this at his alma mater. OU means so much to him. I’m incredibly grateful for his commitment and his decision to continue his coaching career here at OU in this elevated role.”

Littrell returned to Norman last spring as an offensive analyst after spending the 2016-22 seasons as head coach at North Texas, where he led the Mean Green to six bowl games and two Conference USA Championship appearances. He became the first UNT head coach to lead the Mean Green to bowls in each of his first three seasons and the first to produce consecutive nine-win campaigns since 1977-78. He left North Texas ranked fourth all-time in career victories (44) and his average of 6.3 wins per season stands as second-best in the program’s history.

Littrell’s units at North Texas ranked among the top three in Conference USA in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense for four consecutive seasons from 2017-20, and led C-USA in rushing offense during both the 2020 and ’21 seasons. In 2020, when Littrell took over play-calling duties, the Mean Green ranked eighth nationally in total offense (513.2 yards per game) and ranked 23rd in scoring (34.4 points per game). In all, his squads produced four of the seven highest-scoring offenses in school history. Quarterback Mason Fine (2016-19) set school records for career passing yards (12,505) and touchdowns (93).

Prior to North Texas, Littrell served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at North Carolina from 2014-15. In 2015, he guided an offense that ranked 11th nationally in scoring, second in yards per play (7.5) and third in yards per rush (6.0), and that set school records for points and touchdowns as the Tar Heels won the ACC Coastal Division. His 2014 unit established school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Littrell spent the 2012 and ’13 seasons as offensive coordinator and tight ends/fullbacks coach at Indiana. His 2013 unit ranked ninth nationally in total offense (508.5 ypg), 17th in passing offense (306.7 ypg) and 30th in rushing offense (201.8 ypg). The Hoosiers were one of only three teams to average more than 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards per game that season. In 2012, Indiana led the Big Ten and ranked 17th nationally in passing offense (311.2 ypg) and ranked second in the conference in total offense (442.0 ypg) and scoring offense (30.8 ppg).

Prior to Indiana, Littrell spent three seasons at Arizona (2009-11), where he coached running backs and tight ends/H-backs. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2010 and offensive coordinator in 2011. His 2011 unit ranked third nationally in passing (370.8 ypg) and 15th in total offense (465.2 ypg). He coached three 2011 NFL Draft selections: Foles, tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Juron Criner.

Littrell began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Mangino at Kansas (2002-04) before serving as running backs coach under Leach at Texas Tech (2005-08). The Muskogee, Okla., product was a fullback at Oklahoma from 1997-00 and served as a captain on OU’s 2000 national championship team. Littrell, whose father Jim was also an OU fullback and who won national titles in 1974 and ’75, earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from OU in 2001.

Finley, a former OU player and graduate assistant, returned to the Sooners in 2021 as assistant head coach for offense and tight ends and H-backs coach. He has served as tight ends coach since 2022.

Over his three seasons as part of the OU offensive staff, the Sooners rank sixth nationally in scoring offense (38.2 ppg), eighth in total offense (475.1 ypg), 18th in rushing offense (196.4 ypg) and 19th in passing offense (278.7 ypg). This season, OU ranks third nationally in scoring offense, fourth in total offense, sixth in passing offense and 39th in rushing offense

Finley has tutored two All-Big 12 players at OU in tight ends/H-back Jeremiah Hall (first team in 2021) and tight end Brayden Willis (second team in 2022). Willis, who led the Sooners in receiving touchdowns (seven) and ranked second on the team in receptions (39) and receiving yards (514) last season, was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

“Yes, this was an easy and convenient move,” said Venables, “but it was also the best move for our program, our players and our staff. I went through a thorough process and vetted and visited with a lot of candidates, including sitting head coaches, former head coaches, NFL assistants, quarterback gurus and others. But everything kept bringing me back to this duo and our offensive staff as a whole. Bill Bedenbaugh, DeMarco Murray and Emmett Jones combined with Seth and Joe Jon — there’s just great natural chemistry and cohesion, which is incredibly important. We’ve had great success the last two years offensively and this will give us a chance to continue to evolve as we transition to the SEC. Just like every year, there will be some things that are new next season. We’ll take advantage of what our roster allows us to. We’ve got a wealth of experience and exposure to different offensive systems and concepts, but in most ways, things will be really, really similar to what we’ve been doing. That’s a good thing.”

COMMENT FROM OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND QUARTERBACKS COACH SETH LITTRELL

“I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Venables for this opportunity. This has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I left OU after the 2000 season and it’s taken me 23 years to get back here. There’s no better honor. I’m extremely fired up to be the offensive coordinator here and look forward to upholding the standard of winning games and winning championships set by a lot of great coaches before me.

“Our system here at OU is very similar to what I had at North Texas my last several years there. Obviously, I learned a ton from my time with Mike Leach, Kevin Wilson, Larry Fedora and others. I’ve been around a lot of amazing coaches and a lot of amazing people, and you take a little bit from each and every coach you’re around. We have an unbelievable staff here. I think it will be an easy transition for our players. Our terminology and the things we do here won’t change much. But whenever there’s a different guy calling the offense, you’re going to see different flavors here and there.

“Joe Jon is an unbelievable coach and I’ll definitely lean heavily on him and all the other guys in that room. On game day, someone has to call the plays. That’s what my role will be and I’m very excited about that role. But I’ve always been in systems where we leaned heavily on each other and we game-planned together throughout the week. At the end of the day, we’re going to put it all together as a staff.”

COMMENT FROM CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND TIGHT ENDS COACH JOE JON FINLEY:

“I’m very appreciative of Coach Venables for this opportunity and for believing in Seth and me and our entire offensive staff. Oklahoma is my alma mater and has played a huge part in making me the man I am today. This is my dream school and all I want to do is help OU be the best football program it can possibly be. Coming to work each day at a place I care so much about makes me want to do everything in my power to make Sooner Nation proud of what it sees on Saturdays. I’m excited to continue to work with Coach Littrell, Coach Bedenbaugh, Coach Murray and Coach Jones, as well as the rest of our offensive staff and our players, to build upon the foundation we’ve set these last two seasons and to find ways to get better each and every day.”

– OU –

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Social Media Reacts: Seth Littrell, Joe Jon Finley promoted to Co-Offensive Coordinator

Social Media reacts to the reported promotion of Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley to co-offensive coordinator

Anytime there’s coaching turnover, anticipation builds as your favorite football team moves to fill the vacant position.

When it was announced that Jeff Lebby would be taking the Mississippi State head coaching job, the immediate question was, who would take his place? Really, even when it was rumored, people began speculating the direction the Sooners might go.

Well, with the promotions of Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley, the Sooners have their offensive coordinators.

Littrell has experience as a play caller and Finley is a highly thought-of offensive mind inside the program. Together, they’ll hope to keep the Sooners offense humming when they make the move to the SEC.

They’ll have some exciting offensive weapons to unleash in 2024 and beyond and here’s how social media reacted to the news.

Oklahoma Sooners set to name replacements for Jeff Lebby at offensive coordinator

The Oklahoma Sooners have announced who is taking over as offensive coordinator after Jeff Lebby’s departure.

The Oklahoma Sooners have determined who will be replacing Jeff Lebby, who left his offensive coordinator post to be the head coach at Mississippi State.

According to a report from SoonerScoop, the Sooners have named Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley co-offensive coordinators. Littrell and Finley take the reins of one of the best offenses in college football with some of the best young skill talent in the nation.

Littrell has long been considered the favorite for the job after joining the Sooners as an offensive analyst. Finley, the Sooners tight ends coach, has a growing reputation inside the program as an offensive mind. The two now set out to forge Oklahoma’s offensive identity in the wake of Lebby’s departure.

Both Littrell and Finley played for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Littrell played running back for Oklahoma from 1997-2000 and was a part of the Sooners national championship team. He’s had various coaching stops that included runs as an offensive coordinator at Arizona, Indiana, and North Carolina. After his stint in Chapel Hill, Littrell took the head coaching job with the University of North Texas, where he helped the Mean Green reach a bowl game six out of his seven seasons in Denton.

At each stop, Littrell helped improve the offense in total yards and points year over year. Littrell will work with the quarterbacks.

Finley played tight end for the Sooners from 2004-2007. After serving as a graduate assistant with the Sooners, Finley has been an assistant at Missouri, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M before landing with the Oklahoma Sooners. He played a role in relaying the offensive signals this season, with Jeff Lebby calling plays from the booth.

Also of note is that Oklahoma keeps its offensive staff largely intact. Stoia writes, “No full-time assistants are expected to follow Lebby to Starkville. Instead, there is an expectation that staffers Phil Loadholt, Benton Duby, Tanner Schafer and Matt Holecek will join Lebby at Mississippi State.”

In the promotions of Finley and Littrell, the Oklahoma Sooners maintain continuity on the offensive side of the ball. Their experience with Lebby will make for a more seamless transition as the Sooners take their offense to the SEC. Though there might be some philosophical differences in their approaches, Littrell and Finley can keep the language of the offense largely the same.

Now the Sooners can begin shoring up their 2024 recruiting class and explore the transfer portal for options to add depth and upgrade talent on both sides of the ball.

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5 offensive coordinators the Oklahoma Sooners should consider to replace Jeff Lebby

5 offensive coordinator the Oklahoma Sooners could target to replace Jeff Lebby.

Mississippi State has hired Jeff Lebby to be their next head coach, leaving Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator position vacant. The Sooners have now begun the task of replacing Lebby, who helped Oklahoma’s offense finish No. 3 in the nation in scoring and No. 4 in total yards.

Offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners is a position that will be incredibly attractive to a number of coaches across college football.

Here are five names we think the Sooners should consider.

Why Seth Littrell might make sense as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator

Seth Littrell’s experience and success make for an intriguing option to replace Jeff Lebby as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator.

It’s coaching carousel season in college football. As rivalry week put a bow on the regular season, the Oklahoma Sooners watched their Big 12 title hopes go up in flames in BYU’s OT loss to Oklahoma State.

With the Big 12 title out of the picture for the Sooners, offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is off to Mississippi State to be their next head coach. The Sooners now must begin the search to fill their vacant offensive coordinator role.

Ryan Aber, from The Oklahoman, examined a number of names that could be potential fits for the Sooners. On the list is current offensive analyst and a popular name to fill the position, Seth Littrell.

Littrell is already on staff, and has plenty of familiarity with the Sooners’ personnel. He played for the Sooners from 1997-2000, the last two when Brent Venables was OU’s co-defensive coordinator. Littrell had stints as offensive coordinator at Arizona, Indiana and North Carolina before serving as North Texas’ head coach from 2016-22. Littrell also has a strong relationship with Sooners’ QB commit Michael Hawkins and could help OU hold onto the prospect. – Aber, The Oklahoman

Familiarity and relationships are important to Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables. That familiarity was key to Jeff Lebby getting the job with the Sooners in the first place. And it could play a role in Littrell getting an opportunity.

Littrell is an experienced coach, beginning as a graduate assistant with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2002. He has served as a running backs coach and a tight ends coach. He’s also held offensive coordinator titles with the Arizona Wildcats, Indiana Hoosiers, and North Carolina Tar Heels before taking the head coaching job at North Texas.

As an offensive coordinator, Littrell’s had success in the Pac-12, Big Ten, and ACC. With Arizona, Indiana, and UNC, Littrell helped the offense take significant year two jumps. The Tar Heels went from averaging 33 points per game in 2014 to 40 points per game in 2015.

It’s early in the process and there’s no time frame for the Sooners to make a decision. Littrell’s presence on staff provides an opportunity for a test drive of sorts. The Sooners can petition the NCAA for a waiver to make Littrell eligible to coach during their bowl game. Although, it’s more likely that they’d make a decision by then with the early signing period right around the corner.

The Oklahoma Sooners will be a destination for a number of qualified and exciting candidates. OU’s been one of the better offensive programs for much of the last 25 years. Given the litany of offensive talent returning for 2024, it’s likely they’ll continue to operate with great success on offense.

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OFFICIAL: Jeff Lebby named the next head coach at Mississippi State

Oklahoma Sooners Offensive Coordinator Jeff Lebby has been named head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

What had been speculated for the last several days is now official. [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag] will be the next head coach at [autotag]Mississippi State University[/autotag].

Oklahoma’s former offensive coordinator agreed to a five-year deal, according to reports.

Lebby had been with the Sooners for the last two years. In 2023, he helped Oklahoma finish 10-2 after a 6-7 season in 2022. Lebby led an Oklahoma offense that finished No. 4 in total offense and No. 3 in scoring offense. Both of which ranked higher than [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag] and [autotag]Caleb Williams[/autotag]’ USC Trojans offense.

Now, the Sooners are in wait-and-see mode when it comes to how many, if any, recruits follow Lebby or decommit from Oklahoma. They also will wait and see if any position coaches follow as well. SoonerScoop’s George Stoia reported that several coaches could be following Lebby, but most would be in an analyst or quality control role currently.

It’s also unclear if any current players will hit the transfer portal.[autotag] Jackson Arnold[/autotag]’s dad, Todd, told OU Daily “It doesn’t affect Jackson. He plays for OU.”

The Sooners will be on the hunt for not only a new offensive coordinator but also for a new quarterback coach. That was the position group Lebby coached. The favorite for the offensive coordinator role is [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag], who is currently an offensive analyst on staff. But Littrell has never been a quarterbacks coach in his career. He’s primarily been a running backs and tight ends coach.

The Sooners could also look outside for Lebby’s replacement. If they go with Littrell, they could actually get approved by the NCAA for Littrell to call the plays in the bowl game since he is already on staff.

While Lebby’s time in Norman was short, he proved to be a very good offensive coordinator and recruiter. No, he wasn’t perfect and made his fair share of mistakes, but he’s someone Oklahoma fans will appreciate more as the time goes on.

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