CowboyMRW
8/28/2012, 09:27 PM
Here is some info I got from a friend with OU coaching ties that's going around the interwebs. My friend lives in Austin and took the notes from the OU coach's son who he used to room with. Don't think he thought it would get out on the internet:
-There was lots of criticism of Brett Venables just before and obviously after he left. Bob openly said that Brett couldn't make a quick decision on defensive calls and that rubbed the players the wrong way because they were the ones that got chewed. Brent was terrible at getting plays called. He just sat and stared at the O too long.
- Venabes played the wrong kids in the wrong places according to their staff. Too much emphasis on the LB, and poor selection of safeties in terms of personnel. The problem is they've got to rework some of these guys' technique and get them back in the right positions. That will take time and growing pains.
- Josh Huepel is under tremendous scrutiny too apparently. He graded out badly in their reviews. His running game grade was pathetic and with the injuries on the Oline, the personnel won't be able to cover up for the scheme. Going to have to put it in Landry's hands.
- Corey Nelson hurt worse than is being told. Wort isn't as banged up as what's reported, but they're still not sure he's going to hold up all season. (Nelson is their only true playmaker in this unit. The other OLB is Gabe Lynn if their nickel and he's a DB. If Nelson is out for the Texas game they're in trouble because they'll likely have to go with Ibiloye, and I've said it before, but they're front 7 is a trainwreck.
- Ndulue (DE replacing King) is the person that Mike Stoops is putting a lot of effort into. Stoops thinks they can have a solid Dline if Ndulue can pick up technique quickly. Problem is that Ndulue may not hold up against a downhill rushing attack. Ndulue is 255 pound Redshirt soph. Lots of talent, but hasn't done a thing.
- They re-worked the two corner roles because they weren't adjusting to offenses well. I didnt get this - it went over my head--just that they were going more traditional. (I'm assuming they're going away from the field/boundary corner which would make the CB position more interchangeable.)
- They're moving King inside and it's probably going to be long term. Don't have the depth at DT and they have some talent at DE. If they're going 250, 275, 295, 255 at DL and 200, 225, 220 at LB with an inexperienced group this will be tough for the defense.
- They aren't optimistic about Saunders, the transfer from Fresno playing this season.
- Schmidt is fading. The team doesn't fear him like the early 2000's teams and he's not getting the support from Bob like he once did. Bob's much more distant and not backing Schmidt as hard core as he once did. The kids are starting to figure this out. Case in point is that Schmidt wanted Franks gone but Franks stood up to it and vowed he wouldn't leave quietly. Bob acquiesced and let Franks back on the team. The kids see that and it hurts Schmidt's credibility. Same thing happened last season when Bob played favorites that flew in the face of Schmidt's wishes.
-Mike Stoops has been brought in and he's much more of a head coach type than he was in the early 2000's. This has created a sense of almost two coaching staffs, one that's affiliated with Bob and one that's more beholden to Mike. That situation is cause for concern.
- There's a fear that recreational drug problems are widespread on the team. Mostly dope and painkillers. (We've been reporting this, but our source didn't think this had to do with Austin Box's parents seeking an investigation thus creating subsequent drug testing. Our source said that was just the culture of the team right now.)
One additional note.
- Venables is probably only staying at Clem 1 year than then he's off to the NFL.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=e335d8fd97a669470df1bedbf94e17d4&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shaggybevo.com%2Fboard%2Fshow thread.php%2F116352-Anyone-worried-about-m-stoops-being-back-at-ou%2Fpage2&v=1&libid=1346206404686&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.therxforum.com%2Fshowthread.p hp%3Fp%3D9508690%26page%3D7&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shaggybevo.com%2Fboard%2Fshow thread.php%2F116352-Anyone-worried-about-m-stoops-being-back-at-ou%2Fpage3&title=Anyone%20worried%20about%20m%20stoops%20bein g%20back%20at%20ou%3F%20-%20Page%202&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.therxforum.com%2Fshowthread.. .9508690%26amp%3Bpage%3D7&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13462072374002
-There was lots of criticism of Brett Venables just before and obviously after he left. Bob openly said that Brett couldn't make a quick decision on defensive calls and that rubbed the players the wrong way because they were the ones that got chewed. Brent was terrible at getting plays called. He just sat and stared at the O too long.
- Venabes played the wrong kids in the wrong places according to their staff. Too much emphasis on the LB, and poor selection of safeties in terms of personnel. The problem is they've got to rework some of these guys' technique and get them back in the right positions. That will take time and growing pains.
- Josh Huepel is under tremendous scrutiny too apparently. He graded out badly in their reviews. His running game grade was pathetic and with the injuries on the Oline, the personnel won't be able to cover up for the scheme. Going to have to put it in Landry's hands.
- Corey Nelson hurt worse than is being told. Wort isn't as banged up as what's reported, but they're still not sure he's going to hold up all season. (Nelson is their only true playmaker in this unit. The other OLB is Gabe Lynn if their nickel and he's a DB. If Nelson is out for the Texas game they're in trouble because they'll likely have to go with Ibiloye, and I've said it before, but they're front 7 is a trainwreck.
- Ndulue (DE replacing King) is the person that Mike Stoops is putting a lot of effort into. Stoops thinks they can have a solid Dline if Ndulue can pick up technique quickly. Problem is that Ndulue may not hold up against a downhill rushing attack. Ndulue is 255 pound Redshirt soph. Lots of talent, but hasn't done a thing.
- They re-worked the two corner roles because they weren't adjusting to offenses well. I didnt get this - it went over my head--just that they were going more traditional. (I'm assuming they're going away from the field/boundary corner which would make the CB position more interchangeable.)
- They're moving King inside and it's probably going to be long term. Don't have the depth at DT and they have some talent at DE. If they're going 250, 275, 295, 255 at DL and 200, 225, 220 at LB with an inexperienced group this will be tough for the defense.
- They aren't optimistic about Saunders, the transfer from Fresno playing this season.
- Schmidt is fading. The team doesn't fear him like the early 2000's teams and he's not getting the support from Bob like he once did. Bob's much more distant and not backing Schmidt as hard core as he once did. The kids are starting to figure this out. Case in point is that Schmidt wanted Franks gone but Franks stood up to it and vowed he wouldn't leave quietly. Bob acquiesced and let Franks back on the team. The kids see that and it hurts Schmidt's credibility. Same thing happened last season when Bob played favorites that flew in the face of Schmidt's wishes.
-Mike Stoops has been brought in and he's much more of a head coach type than he was in the early 2000's. This has created a sense of almost two coaching staffs, one that's affiliated with Bob and one that's more beholden to Mike. That situation is cause for concern.
- There's a fear that recreational drug problems are widespread on the team. Mostly dope and painkillers. (We've been reporting this, but our source didn't think this had to do with Austin Box's parents seeking an investigation thus creating subsequent drug testing. Our source said that was just the culture of the team right now.)
One additional note.
- Venables is probably only staying at Clem 1 year than then he's off to the NFL.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=e335d8fd97a669470df1bedbf94e17d4&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shaggybevo.com%2Fboard%2Fshow thread.php%2F116352-Anyone-worried-about-m-stoops-being-back-at-ou%2Fpage2&v=1&libid=1346206404686&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.therxforum.com%2Fshowthread.p hp%3Fp%3D9508690%26page%3D7&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shaggybevo.com%2Fboard%2Fshow thread.php%2F116352-Anyone-worried-about-m-stoops-being-back-at-ou%2Fpage3&title=Anyone%20worried%20about%20m%20stoops%20bein g%20back%20at%20ou%3F%20-%20Page%202&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.therxforum.com%2Fshowthread.. .9508690%26amp%3Bpage%3D7&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13462072374002