OU tabs Thibodeaux
Calvin Thibodeaux is returning to Oklahoma to take over the defensive line coaching position, sources have confirmed to SoonerScoop.com.
Thibodeaux spent last season as the defensive line coach at the University of Kansas under David Beaty.
The Sooners were in need of a defensive line coach following the departure of Diron Reynolds, who left Oklahoma to return to Stanford. Thibodeaux, who played at Oklahoma from 2002-06, returns to Norman after starting his coaching career in Houston as a graduate assistant in 2008.
Thibodeaux took his first full-time job in 2010 as a member of the Navarro Junior College staff coaching where he coached the defensive line. He moved on to Dartmouth the following year before joining Tulsa’s staff as defensive tackles coach for three seasons from 2012-14.
Thibodeaux is a native of Houston, Texas, where the Sooners hope he’ll be able to re-establish recruiting ties. The 32-year old has developed a reputation as a solid recruiter, although he’s never held a job with the recruiting pull of a program like the University of Oklahoma.
Last season, Thibodeaux scrapped his way into contention for the state of Kansas’ No. 1 player in Amani Bledsoe, a 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive end from Lawrence, Kan. Bledsoe eventually picked the Sooners over the Jayhawks, but Thibodeaux made the decision a difficult one for the high school All-American.
Thibodeaux becomes the second full-time assistant under Bob Stoops that he also recruited and coached as a player.
Josh Heupel, who was let go as offensive coordinator after the 2014 season, was the only other former player Stoops hired to be a full-time assistant.
Sources within the program indicated Thibodeaux became an immediate candidate for the opening due to his rise in the coaching ranks and his passion for recruiting, along with his passion for the University of Oklahoma and his understanding of the culture in Norman.
Signing just three players from the state of Texas in the 2015 recruiting class, was also a factor in getting a coach back in the program with stronger recruiting ties in the state of Texas.
The Sooners have that with Thibodeaux.