Faced with a staff opening, Bob Stoops turned to one of his own to fill it. On Wednesday Oklahoma announced former Sooner Calvin Thibodeaux will return to Norman to serve as defensive line coach.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Thibodeaux in a statement. “To have this opportunity is special. It’s home, I know the culture, I know what the expectations are. It’s truly a blessing.
“When I got into coaching back in 2008, it was always one of my goals to come back home. For it to happen is just remarkable.”
Thibodeaux played at Oklahoma from 2002-06, contributing to three Big 12 champion squads and two teams that reached the national title game, while collecting a Second Team All-Big 12 nod as a defensive end along the way.
After a cup of coffee with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 2007, Thibodeaux jumped into coaching as a graduate assistant under Kevin Sumlin at Houston in 2008-09, then moved on to Navarro Junior College, Dartmouth, Tulsa and, finally, Kansas.
“We’re excited to have Calvin back in our program,” said Stoops. “He’s a longtime Sooner and was an excellent player for us. He’s gained great defensive line experience coming up through the coaching ranks and was being sought after by other programs. He’ll provide great leadership and direction to our players and will make big contributions to our defensive scheme.”
Thibodeaux’s departure, meanwhile, is another shot to the gut of KU head coach David Beaty. In addition to inheriting a horrific scholarship situation from Charlie Weis and suffering through the first winless season in Big 12 history, Beaty has also had trouble keeping his assistants in Lawrence.
Kansas has now lost five assistants to other jobs since the 2015 season ended.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) February 24, 2016
