A vital member of Oklahoma football’s staff is leaving the team. Sports Illustrated reports that Oklahoma assistant coach J.R. Sandlin is leaving the Sooners to take a position at SMU.
Sandlin has been instrumental in the football program’s recruitment efforts. He was the director of player personnel and recruitment at Oklahoma. As SMU advances to the ACC, Sandlin will serve as general manager and assistant athletic director.
In late 2021, Sandlin traveled to Oklahoma alongside head coach Brent Venables. He collaborated with Venables to revive the show in 2022 following a dismal 6-7 season. With Sandlin serving as an assistant, Venables led the Sooners to victory in ten games in 2023. Oklahoma lost to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl to end the 2023 football season.
Numerous changes are occurring for the Sooners. Along with Texas, the institution is leaving the Big 12 Conference and joining the SEC in 2024. Football at Oklahoma is also reorganizing certain staff members. The Oklahoman reports that Jolie Ale will be joining the Sooners as their new director of on-campus recruitment.
Sandlin worked at Jacksonville State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Alabama before joining the Oklahoma football team. According to Sports Illustrated, Sandlin was a tight end for UCF and has since retired from playing to coach high school football. Sandlin will now be crucial to SMU’s ability to compete in the ACC, a power 5 conference. For road games, the Mustangs will have to travel hundreds of miles to both the East and West Coasts.
By daniel abwa
