Oklahoma Sooners Part Ways with Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof After Struggles on Defense
NORMAN, Okla. — In a significant change for the Oklahoma Sooners football program, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof was dismissed on Thursday. This decision follows a season that began with promise but ended with noticeable defensive challenges.
Head coach Brent Venables stated in a press release that he personally informed Roof of his termination and also offered him a different role within the program, which Roof chose to decline.
Roof’s time with the Sooners, which spanned two seasons, saw some improvements in defensive statistics. Notably, Oklahoma ranked second nationally in interceptions with 20 and sixth in takeaways with 26 forced turnovers.
The season started strong, as the Sooners held their first five opponents to 20 points or fewer. A highlight included a key win against Texas, marking the Longhorns’ only regular-season loss and helping the Sooners achieve a 6-0 record.
However, the latter part of the season revealed a different story for the Sooners, who faced setbacks including losses to Kansas and Oklahoma State. The defense struggled in a high-scoring game against TCU, allowing a staggering 520 yards in a 69-45 defeat during the regular-season finale.
Roof’s tenure ended on a low note with a disappointing 38-24 loss to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl, where Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 354 yards and two touchdowns, highlighting the defensive issues the Sooners faced in their final game under Roof.
