Is it time for Stoops to hire a Special Teams coach?

[Collier11]

It seems to that since Jonothan Hayes left we have always had one visible problem in Special teams, last yr it was kickoff return coverage, now its kicking, we havent had a great KO returner since Murray pre injury and before that it had been a while. This yr is the first time weve had a dangerous punt returner in some time.

Either that or Stoops needs to put more time into it perhaps, I just think having one guy who focuses on it would really help

[gaylordfan1]

Call Joe C and see if its in the budget. If so, hire Mangino.

[Sooner04]

Hasn't Chris Wilson been looking over this stuff for a couple of years?

[rawlingsHOH]

I believe Wilson is still in charge of the special teams.

Regarding the Kick Return squad... I think we've lead the nation the previous 2 years (with Murray an Iglesias).

[Scott D]

I for one miss Jonathan Hayes.

[MamaMia]

I for one miss Antonio Perkins. Does he need a job? :pop:

[Collier11]

Hasn't Chris Wilson been looking over this stuff for a couple of years?

Is he, I thought it was Stoops?

[westbrooke]

I believe Wilson is still in charge of the special teams.

Regarding the Kick Return squad... I think we've lead the nation the previous 2 years (with Murray an Iglesias).

I couldn't believe this when I first read it. While not quite on top, the record shows Murray was much better than I remembered. (The years below are linked.)

2007 (http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_playerkickret&site=org)
#7 Murray
#16 Iglesias

2008 (http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&rpt=IA_playerkickret&site=org&div=IA&dest=O)
#10 Murray
#57 Iglesias

I think the key factor to the collective memory here is that Murray had 2 TD returns in 2007 and 0 in 2008 (Iglesias didn't score either year). Field position is huge, but we're biased to remember those big plays. Perkins spoiled us. ;)

[rawlingsHOH]

I couldn't believe this when I first read it. While not quite on top, the record shows Murray was much better than I remembered. (The years below are linked.)

2007 (http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_playerkickret&site=org)
#7 Murray
#16 Iglesias

2008 (http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&rpt=IA_playerkickret&site=org&div=IA&dest=O)
#10 Murray
#57 Iglesias

I think the key factor to the collective memory here is that Murray had 2 TD returns in 2007 and 0 in 2008 (Iglesias didn't score either year). Field position is huge, but we're biased to remember those big plays. Perkins spoiled us. ;)

1st in the nation in 2007...
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=B&rpt=IA_teamkickret&site=org

5th in the nation in 2008...
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2008&div=B&rpt=IA_teamkickret&site=org

[Boomer.....]

I'm just glad that our punt coverage has been much improved since last year. The kicking game will come with time. They are young and the nerves are getting to them.

[rawlingsHOH]

2009 National Rankings...

Punt Coverage, 2nd (1.2 yards per return!)
Net Punting, 7th
Punt Returns, 10th
Kickoff Coverage, 49th (at least only 1 TD allowed this year)
Kickoff Returns, 68th

Penalty Yards, 118th

[ouleaf]

I got a picture with Perkins, who was sitting near me for our game against the Mormons at the Death Star. Told him we could have used him during that game for sure.

[MamaMia]

I got a picture with Perkins, who was sitting near me for our game against the Mormons at the Death Star. Told him we could have used him during that game for sure.
I loved that guy. What a player. :D

[Scott D]

yeah I see how you edited that original post there Collier ;)

[Collier11]

no edit that I remember

[CrimsonJim]

Is he, I thought it was Stoops?

I believe Stoops was heavy into the special teams when he first got here, but he's got away from that quite some time ago.

[Salt City Sooner]

I for one miss Jonathan Hayes.
I don't, but then again, I'm a Bengal fan.....:D

[tommieharris91]

I for one miss Antonio Perkins. Does he need a job? :pop:

I'd rather find someone who can teach people how to kick a ball through some uprights.

[GottaHavePride]

I didn't really think there was that big a gap from JT Thatcher to AP to Murray and now Franks.

Any complaint I have about special teams has zero to do with our return guy. I would complain about blocking for the return guy, and the coverage teams on kicks, but not the actual return guy.

[MamaMia]

I'd rather find someone who can teach people how to kick a ball through some uprights. Who knows? Maybe Paddy will make us proud. :)

[sooner59]

I loved that guy. What a player. :D

Anyone who was in the stands for the 2003 UCLA game got one hell of a show. Three punts returned for a TD and NCAA record. And if they were in the sun like me, they also got a wicked sunburn. That was a great one.

[BoulderSooner79]

Our return and coverage teams have been pretty good this year. I would think a coach for place kickers would be a specialty position coach, not the overall ST coach.

[Collier11]

our KR covg hasnt been that great, neither has our KRers

[perculator]

hell yeah it's time for a special teams coach. don't you guys remember 2000-2004......how many punts did we block? special teams ain't just about kickoff and punt returns.

[rawlingsHOH]

hell yeah it's time for a special teams coach. don't you guys remember 2000-2004......how many punts did we block? special teams ain't just about kickoff and punt returns.
Right around 2004 OU got hit with a couple fake punts against them. Since that time OU almost NEVER goes for the block. Usually just a 'safe', or a safe return call is made.