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OU staff change could affect Hurricane – specifically, Thibodeaux
Published: 2/12/2013 8:12 PM
Last Modified: 2/12/2013 8:12 PM

Not since 1994-1995 has the University of Tulsa football coaching staff remained intact from one season to the next.

For the moment, Bill Blankenship still has all of his assistants from the 2012 Golden Hurricane team that finished 11-3, with a Conference USA title and a Liberty Bowl victory. The key words in that sentence: “For the moment . . . “

For several days before it was reported by the Tulsa World on Tuesday that Jackie Shipp had been dismissed as Oklahoma’s defensive line coach, various sources indicated that OU might make a change – and that it might affect TU. More specifically, it could result in a switch from TU to OU by Calvin Thibodeaux.

In 2012, the 29-year-old Thibodeaux coached the Hurricane’s defensive tackles. At Oklahoma in 2003-06, he was a defensive end for Bob and Mike Stoops.

Blankenship says Thibodeaux was excellent, both in the coaching of interior linemen and in recruiting. TU finished with a program-record total of 53 sacks. From defensive tackles, the Hurricane got 11½ sacks.

While Blankenship would strongly prefer to keep Thibodeaux (who recently was given a pay increase), the Hurricane head coach probably is already aware of a dozen or more candidates if a staff vacancy occurs. TU’s spring-practice period opens on March 5 and concludes with the April 6 spring game at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

If Thibodeaux were to leave for Norman, he would be coaching with his fifth team in five years. In 2009, he was a graduate assistant with the Houston Cougars. In 2010, he coached junior-college linemen at Navarro (Texas) College. In 2011, he coached the defensive line at Dartmouth.

-- Bill Haisten





Reader Comments 2 Total
LaffALot (3 days ago)
Wonder if OU/TU could make a switch? Would BB give Jackie Shipp a look? He sure could help in recruiting.
TCH51 (3 days ago)
Would hate to lose Calvin, but I understand a move up and coaching at school where you played. If it happens, I believe Head Ball Coach can get us a good replacement. Go Hurricane!
2 comments displayed


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Tulsa World Sports Writer Bill Haisten was named the 2010 Oklahoma Sportswriter of the Year. He is the World's only staff member to have covered OU, OSU, TU and ORU sports on a beat basis. He was on the OSU beat from 2004-2012. A Texas native, he has covered two Super Bowls and two national championship football games for the World.

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