Oklahoma
Barry Switzer questions if Oklahoma's NIL can compete with Texas, criticizes offensive struggles
Following another rough performance against South Carolina, there are plenty of questions about where Oklahoma’s offense goes next. Brent Venables made an offensive coordinator change, but legendary OU coach Barry Switzer said the Sooners are “short in a lot of areas” – and it might take some time to fix it.
Switzer pointed out the shortcomings for the Oklahoma offense, which will now see Joe Jon Finley take on play-calling duties after Seth Littrell’s departure. But he also questioned the Sooners’ ability to succeed in NIL dollars, particularly with rival Texas.
During an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show on Tuesday, Switzer noted the difference between Texas’ population and Oklahoma’s. That, he said, impacts fundraising ability in the current state of college football. That’s why he wondered if the Sooners can keep pace with the Longhorns if recruiting battles turn into bidding wars.
“We’re short in a lot of areas, Paul,” Switzer said. “Defensively, we’re probably a lot better than we are offensively. We’re short, offensive line, with running backs, receivers, quarterback – every area of the offense needs help. And it’s gonna take a while to get there. But I think that they can. I don’t know. I question, sometimes, with NIL whether we can or not, whether we can compete against Texas every year. They can raise more money than we can. We’re a small state. We’ve only got 3.5 million people, and it’s gonna be more difficult than it is for the University of Texas, where they’ve got 35 million people. A wealthier state and people to be able to support the programs. We’ll have to wait and see.
“NIL is still a mystery for everybody because we don’t know where we’re gonna end up. Hopefully, someday, we’ll get something that has some stability to it that we all will have a chance to be successful with.”
A closer look at Oklahoma, Texas NIL initiatives
Barry Switzer was one of the founders of 1Oklahoma in 2022, and the NIL collective later came together with the Crimson and Cream and The Sooner Nation Collective. Upon the move, 1Oklahoma became OU’s official NIL collective.
As for Texas, the Texas One Fund emerged as one of the top NIL collectives in the country, and On3’s Pete Nakos ranked it at No. 3 in his top collectives in college sports in August. Sources told On3 it has roughly 60 football players under contract, and the organization has a working partnership with WME Sports.
The two collectives also came together ahead of this year’s Red River Rivalry matchup between Oklahoma and Texas. They teamed up for the “Golden Hat Classic” golf tournament with NIL money on the line. The winning side saw 55% of the pot go to its NIL collective while the loser received 45 percent.
Barry Switzer: Getting education is ‘not the goal anymore’
When looking at the changing NIL landscape, Barry Switzer pointed out a comment Nick Saban made after his retirement to sum things up. The former Alabama coach recalled an incident in which a player asked about NIL money before entering the transfer portal, which signaled it was time to walk away.
Switzer noted the differences in recruiting today compared to when he coached from 1961-97. In doing so, he sees education becoming less of a priority.
“I knew – I think when I saw Nick Saban leave and he said I think something about a 19-year-old kid coming into his office wanting to know how much he was gonna pay him to keep him from going into the portal, Nick knew it was time to get the hell out. I think I can understand that and appreciate that,” Switzer said. “When I recruited in the back in the ’70s, ’60s – I was recruiting in the ’60s at Arkansas. I started coaching in 1960 at Arkansas. I was with a lot of Coach Bryant’s people. … They were my mentors. I coached with those guys.
“I look back at this and say, back then, we were recruiting, we would have kids four or five years. Mothers and fathers, if they had a father, they wanted them to get an education. These kids today, that’s not the goal anymore, to get an education, to go to college. They all think they can play pro football, and that’s not true, that’s not gonna happen. If they’re not gonna be out there playing within a year or two, they’re in the portal or going somewhere else. I don’t know how in the hell they expect to get an education.”
Switzer also spoke about his approach in recruiting. He wasn’t just trying to get players to Oklahoma for four years and move on. He saw a lifelong bond, and he said that was part of his success during his career.
“I said this early on – and I ought to have to trademark on it, Paul – you know what NIL means? Now, it’s legal,” Switzer said. “What goes around, comes around. Back 50, 60 years ago, you did anything for a player, helped a player, it was illegal. Today, it’s not. I obviously coached in an area I helped kids when they needed help. I didn’t induce a player to come to Oklahoma, but once they [became] a part of my family, there were gonna be things that come up that you had to help a kid and I always told them, if you come be a part of my family, my program, I’m gonna treat you like you’re one of my own and I still do. … That’s been my approach and always has been.
“I think that’s one of the reasons I was successful is kids believed in me, they knew I’d help them if they needed help when they were here. And I’m not talking about buying a damn car. I’m talking about if they needed to get home – there was an emergency or a funeral, whatever, they’ve got to fly somewhere – I’m gonna get them there. I’m gonna treat them like they’re one of my own kids.”
Teaching is easily one of the most challenging and rewarding professions anywhere. And while most deserve to be recognized, when we heard about Deanne Strothers, we had to come meet her.
The Harding Charter Prep teacher has been teaching life through math for 30 years.
“My goal is to make them understand that they can get through tough stuff,” said Strothers.
But seven years ago, there was some tough stuff put on her plate that was really tough to swallow.
“I had kids that would come in, and they didn’t have any. They didn’t have a lunch card, so they couldn’t eat,” said Strothers.
She recalls one student in particular, at a previous school.
“She came in, and she’s like, I’m hungry,” said Strothers.
After giving the student the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she had brought for lunch, Strothers made a decision: as long as she was teaching, no child would go hungry.
“And so, I’m like, I’ve got to get something that is universal, and we landed on peanut butter and jelly,” said Strothers.
So, for the past seven years, each night she and her husband have prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, totaling over 30,000 sandwiches.
It’s always grape jelly, you don’t have to be in any of her classes and the sandwiches are typically gone before 9 a.m.
“I would rather have a well-fed child than a child sitting here, not having the capability to really pay attention because they are hungry,” said Strothers.
As word spread of her personal feeding program, it prompted a visit from Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Dan Hamlin, who didn’t come empty-handed.
“Well, we wanted to give you a check for supplies,” said Hamlin.
“I think it’s incredibly important that we recognize the great work that our teachers are doing across the state,” said Hamlin.
“I’ll keep doing this as long as I am teaching,” said Strothers.
As expected, Mrs. Strothers says she will use the check for more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The $250.00 donation will paY for about one semester of sandwiches.
Today on the Spotlight, our crew explored why Winter Park Resort is so much more than a snowy winter destination. Nestled in Colorado’s breathtaking Fraser Valley along the Continental Divide, this mountain escape transforms into an outdoor paradise once the snow melts—offering cool temperatures, endless sunshine, and adventures for every kind of traveler.
Just 70 minutes from Denver and one of the closest major mountain resorts to Denver International Airport, Winter Park makes it easy to trade city life for alpine views. Surrounded by towering 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks, the resort delivers postcard-worthy scenery with summer temperatures that rarely climb above 80 degrees. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors are discovering Winter Park as a perfect warm-weather getaway.
The resort village itself offers plenty of charm, with lodging, dining, shopping, and activities all conveniently located in one walkable area. Whether you’re looking for high-energy thrills or a laid-back mountain retreat, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
One of the most popular summer attractions is the scenic gondola ride, which carries guests up to 10,700 feet for unforgettable panoramic views of the Continental Divide, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspen groves. Adventure seekers can race down Colorado’s longest alpine slide or hit the trails to explore more than 3,000 acres of scenic hiking terrain. For those wanting to relax, Sunspot Mountain Lodge offers mountaintop dining with incredible views.
As the sun begins to set, the mountain comes alive with happy hour gatherings and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a day of adventure.
Winter Park is also home to the legendary Trestle Bike Park, one of the top downhill mountain biking destinations in the country. Opening Memorial Weekend, the park features more than 40 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails designed for riders of all skill levels. Advanced bikers can tackle technical terrain, while beginners can ease into the sport with mellow trails, rental gear, and lessons available onsite. Visitors who prefer a more relaxed ride can explore the area with e-bike rentals and guided mountain tours.
Beyond the resort, Winter Park serves as an ideal base camp for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor destinations. The quieter west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park is only about 35 minutes away, offering fewer crowds and incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like moose and elk.
And for travelers wanting to spend time on the water, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are all within about an hour of the resort, offering boating, fishing, paddling, and even more mountain recreation opportunities.
From scenic gondola rides and alpine slides to mountain biking, hiking, lakeside escapes, and national park adventures, Winter Park truly lives up to its reputation as Colorado’s gateway to summer fun. Visitors looking to plan their next mountain getaway can find lodging deals, trailside stays, and a full calendar of summer events at Winter Park Resort.
Convicted felon Robert Morris — a megachurch pastor who abused 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire in 1982 — walked out of an Oklahoma prison in the early hours of March 31.
But time is running out to get legislation aimed at helping abuse victims such as Clemishire — and a bill named for her unanimously passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives— to Gov. Kevin Stritt’s desk.
The Cindy Clemishire Act, HB 4227 would eliminate Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in related settlement cases.
The NDA provision is also known as “Trey’s Law” in remembrance of Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at Camp Kanakuk, a Christian retreat in the Ozarks. Part of his legal settlement included a restrictive NDA that prohibited him from speaking about his abuse or Kanakuk’s role.
Carlock died by suicide, aged 28, after having told a therapist, “they will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “Kiss and Tell: The Innocent Moment That Shattered Mark Driscoll’s Cult” by Vince Manuele – click here.
Yet for unknown reasons, the Oklahoma Senate’s leadership hasn’t yet brought the measure to the floor, and the legislative session is slated to end this Thursday (May 14).
“I’ve just been told they’re not going to hear it. No reason,” Oklahoma state Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) told online news outlet NonDoc.com on May 5. “I am baffled. Disappointed and baffled.”
Apparently standing in the way are state Sens. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate floor leader, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Senate pro tempore. Daniels, according to the NonDoc.com report, won’t schedule a hearing for the bill, and Paxton reportedly is deferring to her on the matter.
The Roys Report (TRR) has contacted Daniels and Paxton for comment, as well as state Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. None immediately responded.
In a statement, Clemishire admonished Oklahoma lawmakers to get the bill passed.
“For decades, predators like Robert Morris have hidden behind outdated laws to evade justice, but the time for silence is over. To the members of the Oklahoma Senate: you have the power to ensure no other child is forced into the shadows, but your work is not done until these protections are sent to the governor,” she said.
Elizabeth Phillips, sister of Trey Carlock and founder of No More Victims, was also emphatic about the need for passage.
“Predators rely on silence and time–the law shouldn’t reward either,” said Phillips. “We are calling on Oklahoma Senate leadership to stand with survivors by ending the forced silence imposed on them by NDAs, like the one that silenced my brother to his grave, and remove the criminal statute of limitations for child sex crimes just as 44 other U.S. states have done. Please, don’t let the clock run out on survivors.”
Oklahoma is one of six states — along with the U.S. House of Representatives — where measures aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse have been filed. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia are the others where legislation has been introduced.
In 2025, similar legislation was enacted in Texas, Missouri, California, and Tennessee, while Alabama and Georgia did so this year.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.
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