NORMAN — Doug Deakin has been a difference maker since arriving on campus.
Head coach Brent Venables and players praised OU’s special team analyst, who worked at San Diego State the past six seasons as special teams coordinator, throughout preseason camp. The Sooners struggled with special teams play in 2023 as kicker Zach Schmit missed six field goals and punter Josh Plaster was benched midseason, and Deakin has brought much-needed new energy.
With the cap on how many program staffers can participate in on-field coaching being removed over the summer, Deakin’s role has only increased.
“That part has changed a lot,” Venables said Tuesday. “So the depth of your support staff, the ability to coach. And we’ve got guys that have either been coaches before that weren’t able to, or they’re former players that can really bring a lot to individualize, be more specific. Fundamentally, technique, get a little bit more on the field eyes and correction and coaching. So, but everybody’s got the same rules, so everybody should benefit from that.”
Deakin led the Aztecs to a No. 9 ranking nationally in ESPN’s special teams efficiency rankings in 2023, marking SDSU’s third consecutive season in the top 10.
Oklahoma’s Zach Schmit (34) kicks an extra point during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma won 45-13.
Notably, several players competing for starting position jobs have expressed a desire to play special teams this season under Deakin. Running back Jovantae Barnes said earlier this month he speaks with Deakin daily.
“When you talk about a coordinator,” Venables said, “somebody that is an expertise, and he has a vision for exactly what he wants it to look like, when he can be a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/analyst-rules-affect-ou-footballs-101505855.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-08-22 10:15:05
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