As Oklahoma Regents Set Pivotal Meeting, OU Athletics is Front and Center
(by John E. Hoover) Thursday’s meeting of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents will put OU athletics front and center. In addition to the hiring of Roger Denny as the Sooners’ new athletic director — the hire will be approved and the school is expected to reveal details of his contract — several football coaches will have their...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
What are the Biggest Challenges Roger Denny Faces Early in Tenure as Oklahoma's AD
(by Ryan Aber) NORMAN — Roger Denny has his work cut out for him quickly as he takes over for Joe Castiglione as Oklahoma’s athletic director. Denny, who will be formally introduced into the role at a ceremony Wednesday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, comes into the role in one of the most tumultuous times in...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer on too-early Heisman contender list
(by Eric W. Bolin) Maybe a year with less pressure and a year of Southeastern Conference experience will lift John Mateer to expected heights. It's not that the Oklahoma quarterback was bad in his first season in Norman. He began the year as Heisman Trophy-contender and even shot to the top of the list after OU's first two games...read more from the Sooners Wire
Venables, Oklahoma add Matt Manninger to strength staff
(by Parker Thune) As Oklahoma prepares for the post-Jerry Schmidt era, the Sooners are set to make an addition to their strength and conditioning staff. Ex-Illinois S&C staffer Matt Manninger will assume a role as Associate Director of Performance under new head strength coach James Dobson. Manninger, an Omaha, Neb. native, has deep ties...read more from the OUInsider
Clendon Thomas, legendary OU football RB, dies at 90
(by Joe Mussatto) Clendon Thomas, a former Southeast High School standout who starred at running back for Oklahoma before an 11-year NFL career, died late Monday night. He was 90. His lifelong friend and former Sooner teammate, Chuck Bowman, shared the news with The Oklahoman. Thomas played for coach Bud Wilkinson at OU from 1955-57...read more from The Oklahoman
SIP Ep. 243 | Oklahoma has a new AD + OU Football winter workouts underway & OU Hoops is spiraling
(by Josh Callaway) Following a busy weekend for Oklahoma sports, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Tom Green catch up on all the latest news coming out of Norman, starting first with OU's new athletic director Roger Denny after he was officially announced the university...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Former Oklahoma Running Back Helps Patriots Clinch Spot in Super Bowl LX
(by Carson Field) While three former Sooners saw their season end on Sunday, ex-Oklahoma running back Rhamondre Stevenson powered his team to a win in the AFC Championship. Stevenson logged a game-high 71 rushing yards on 25 carries as his New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7 to advance to Super Bowl LX...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Former Oklahoma Teammates Clash With Super Bowl LX on the Line
(by John E. Hoover) Oklahoma will send at least one player to Super Bowl LX in two weeks — and maybe a lot more. Who gets to go will be decided on Sunday afternoon in the AFC Championship Game. The NFC Championship Game between the visiting Los Angeles Rams and host Seattle Seahawks Sunday night features no former Sooners...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Bob Stoops makes his feelings crystal clear on Oklahoma’s new AD
(by Dekota Gregory) Legendary Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops said all that fans need to hear about the new leader of the Sooners' athletic department. Stoops, as usual, was on KREF on Friday just before news became official that OU hired Roger Denny to replace the retiring Joe Castiglione as the university's 12th athletic director...read more from Stormin' in Norman
Official: Sooners hire Roger Denny as next athletic director
(by Jesse Crittenden) Oklahoma has officially hired a replacement for Joe Castiglione. The Sooners officially announced Friday the hire of Roger Denny as the University’s new athletic director. Denny has spent the last four years as the deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Illinois. The Sooners reportedly interviewed Denny...read more from the OUInsider
Sources: Oklahoma shaking up strength staff
(by Parker Thune) Longtime Oklahoma strength coach Jerry Schmidt is shifting to a role as chief of staff, sources confirmed to OUInsider.com on Friday. He’ll take over the role previously held by Woody Glass, who’s stepping away from the program. OUInsider.com’s Brandon Drumm apprised members of the news earlier Friday afternoon...read more from On3.com
Who Will Take Over as Oklahoma's Starting Tight End in Jason Witten's First Season
(by Ryan Aber) NORMAN — No position on Oklahoma’s roster has been overhauled this offseason as much as the tight ends. After the struggles at the position recently, that’s a welcome sight for the Sooners. OU’s tight ends room has nearly completely turned over since the end of the season and that’s the position we examine in the third of...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Where Does Oklahoma's 2027 Recruiting Class Stand?
(by Carson Field) Just over a month ago, the Sooners put the bow on their 2026 recruiting class. OU ended the cycle ranked No. 15 in 247Sports’ team recruiting rankings. Per the outlet, seven of the Sooners’ signees were graded as 4-star prospects. Now, Oklahoma can shift the majority of its recruiting efforts to the Class of 2027 — and the...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Former OU wide receiver Drake Stoops signs with United Football League's Dallas Renegades
(by Natalie Roe) Former OU wide receiver Drake Stoops has signed with the Dallas Renegades in the United Football League and is set to join training camp next month. Stoops caught 164 passes for 1,876 yards and 17 touchdowns during his time as a Sooner. Stoops started in 31 of 62 collegiate games. He also earned academic all-Big 12...read more from the OU Daily
SIP Ep. 242 | Transfer Portal Breakdown: Did Oklahoma do enough in the portal? Grading OU's cycle
(by Josh Callaway) With the transfer portal cycle virtually in the books, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy start with some football housekeeping items in Ivan Carreon's return to OU and the program's latest portal addition before wrapping up the portal by...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
OU Football: Oklahoma Just Received the WORST INSULT EVER
Oklahoma defensive tackle Damonic Williams declares for NFL Draft
(by Eric W. Bolin) Oklahoma defensive lineman Damonic Williams announced Tuesday he was declaring for the NFL Draft. Williams played just one season with the Sooners after transferring from Texas Christian. He recorded 27 tackles, including 4 1/2 for-loss, along with three quarterback hurries and a sack for OU. His sacks and TFL numbers...read more from the Sooners Wire
Oklahoma's QB Starter is set, but Sooners Figure to Need More Than Just John Mateer
(by Ryan Aber) NORMAN — Despite the departure of 2025 backup Michael Hawkins Jr., Oklahoma didn’t pursue another quarterback in the transfer portal. With John Mateer’s return, freshman Bowe Bentley’s arrival, plus Whitt Newbauer remaining on the roster, the Sooners are banking that they’ve got what they need at the position...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma Enters 2026 With Raised Expectations Following Transfer Portal Haul
(by Ryan Chapman) As Indiana’s confetti gets swept up across Miami on Tuesday, the college football season officially turns the calendar to the offseason. The Hoosiers are now the program to beat, at least heading into the 2026 season. Unlike 2025, the Sooners start the season with the outside expectation to be in the chasing pack...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Sooners still have 1 glaring portal need they've overlooked
(by Dekota Gregory) Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy has looked around every corner to use the Transfer Portal to fill all the holes in the Sooners' 2026 roster, but there still seems to be one spot he left vacant. The eventual return of starting quarterback John Mateer ultimately forced out backup Michael Hawkins Jr., and although Hawkins...read more from Stormin' in Norman
