Significance of Thad Turnipseed leaving Oklahoma after one season

Late last month, Sooner Scoop senior editor Carey Murdock reported Oklahoma executive director of football administration Thad Turnipseed was leaving the program. The decision was surprising considering the role Brent Venables envisioned Turnipseed would play as he took over at OU.

Considering the Sooners are preparing for their last year in the Big 12, Turnipseed’s departure is a significant one, Murdock told On3’s Andy Staples.

Before his arrival at Oklahoma, Turnipseed played a key role behind the scenes at Alabama and Clemson. Venables worked with him at Clemson before leaving for Oklahoma, bringing Turnipseed with him to help lay the groundwork in Norman and — according to Venables — having a similar role as he had at his last stops.

Murdock said it’s unclear if Turnipseed’s role was as prominent as Venables intended, though.

“I think Thad became kind of this mythical figure behind the scenes with OU fans,” Murdock said on On3 Roundtable. “You don’t realize, when Brent first came in here, he was trying to build the excitement from a fan base that had just been crushed by the decision of the former coach. … He built up Thad Turnipseed to be this architect of both Alabama and Clemson, and that he was going to be a crucial part of everything.

“I think Thad Turnipseed probably played a big role at Alabama and Clemson. But at Oklahoma, I don’t think things went exactly the way they did in terms of what he was allowed to do, how much his fingerprints were allowed to be on facilities upgrades. They were to some extent. But I think him leaving was a big shock to everyone because it was expected that he was going to be the guy to help transition OU into the SEC, as well.”

A university official confirmed Turnipseed’s departure in a statement to Sooner Scoop. The news came as Oklahoma makes its final preparations for its move to the SEC, which is coming one year earlier than initially planned. OU’s Board of Regents also approved a new, $175 million football operations facility last year — and Murdock reported it’s similar to Clemson’s and had Turnipseed’s input.

According to the university, Turnipseed’s decision to leave the program stemmed from his desire to be with his family.

“Thad Turnipseed is no longer employed at the university. He has notified Coach Venables that he intends to spend more time with his family,” the official told Sooner Scoop.