Ted Roof out as OU defensive coordinator
OU already had to make an offensive coordinator in the last month. And now? The Sooners have to do the same at defense.
Head coach Brent Venables announced a mutual parting of the ways with defensive coordinator Ted Roof on Thursday afternoon.
“I have the utmost respect and appreciation for Ted,” said Venables in a press release. “I told him Wednesday I made a decision to go in a new direction at defensive coordinator and offered him an opportunity to remain on our staff in a different role. He explained that he has a deep desire to keep coaching and will look to do that at a different school.”
Roof was hired as OU’s defensive coordinator when Venables took over the program following the 2021 season. The well-traveled coach was coming from Clemson at the time. He also served as the inside linebackers coach for the Sooners.
Venables mentioned Roof’s desire to keep coaching. It’s something he reiterated last week in San Antonio at the pre-Alamo Bowl press conference.
“Until I quit loving it. I love it,” said Roof when asked if he was thinking about retiring. “I love waking up.
“For sure, I do. Every day I wake up, I can’t wait to get to the office. When I don’t feel like that anymore, I won’t do it anymore.
“I love everything about it. I love the grind. Love the type of people I’m with. I love being at a place where my core values align with the head coach and the University. The staff I’m with and the players I get to coach. Being at a place like the University of Oklahoma. I love when that expectation level is high. I love being a part of that. Love the grind. When I quit loving it, I’ll quit doing it. I’ll find something else to do. But I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
After ranking 98th in scoring defense (30.0 ppg) and 121st in total defense (461.0 ypg) in 2022, OU improved in both categories in 2023, ranking 46th (23.5 ppg) and 78th (389.4 ypg), respectively. It also ranks second nationally in 2023 in interceptions (20), sixth in turnovers gained (26), seventh in tackles for loss per game (7.5), eighth in tackles for loss per game (7.3) and 14th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.311; up from .409 in 2022).
“Ted is an incredibly knowledgeable coach and teacher, and his players love playing for him,” said Venables in the press release. “Our program is thankful for his extreme dedication the last two seasons and for helping make us better.”
Venables said the search for a new defensive coordinator begins immediately. There will be candidates galore, but one easy internal candidate to watch will be safeties coach Brandon Hall.
The 2024 defense is going to be locked and loaded with experience and production. It has been a banner month for OU in that regard with one big-time leader after another deciding they wanted to return. Included in that is star linebacker Danny Stutsman.
Now? They’re going to be returning playing for a different man in charge of the defense as OU prepares to embark on its SEC journey.
