Oklahoma
Why New Oklahoma QB Coach Kevin Johns Was ‘Like a Pig in the Mud’ Working With Jackson Arnold
Kevin Johns is stepping out of the shadows and into a much larger role on Oklahoma’s coaching staff this week.
The former Dayton signal caller-turned-quarterback guru was brought on staff in the offseason as an offensive analyst, but he will now serve as OU’s quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator alongside Joe Jon Finley after Seth Littrell was dismissed on Sunday.
Finley will call the plays, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables emphasized during his weekly Coaches Show on Monday, due to his familiarity with the system and because Finley fluently speaks the language of the offense.
Johns’ role has evolved in Norman after analysts were permitted to take on a much larger on-field coaching role by the NCAA this summer.
“Kevin, when he got here, was hired later in the winter, early spring as an analyst, off-the-field coaches were not allowed to coach,” Venables said. “So he was looking at advanced scouting and not really in the nuts and the bolts and the X’s and the O’s and learning all the new language and things.
“He’ll pick up some things, but that wasn’t his forte. He wasn’t breaking down things and having to prepare stuff day to day for the coaches. He’s more of an advanced-scout guy.”
That doesn’t mean that Johns won’t be a huge addition to the Sooners, however.
From 2008-2010 he served as Northwestern’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator.
In 2011 he joined Kevin Wilson’s staff at Indiana to serve as the co-offensive coordinator, and in 2012 he was also tasked with working with the quarterbacks with the Hoosiers.
He stayed on staff at Indiana until 2017, when he moved to Western Michigan as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In 2018, he served as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under Kliff Kingsbury before moving to Mike Norvell’s Memphis staff from 2019-2021 to serve as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
He took the same job at Duke from 2022-2023, where he helped develop current Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard.
“The success that he’s had and the exposure that he’s had at several places,” Venables said. “… (He) was at Indiana for several years where they broke 55-plus Big Ten records and led the Big Ten in scoring when he was the OC and quarterbacks coach, I think ’16-’17, and the development pieces that’s there.
“He understands — everywhere, he’s had to maybe do more with less. I love that about coaching, when you see people have success at places where maybe they don’t always have the best resources but you’re able to maximize guys. You’re essentially able to put people in positions to be successful.
“And that was behind this decision that we’ve gotta maybe do, whatever that looks like, a better job of putting our guys in a better position to be successful.”
Johns and Finley will have a tough task ahead to improve OU’s offense on the fly.
The offensive line has struggled mightily in 2024. After surrendering nine sacks to South Carolina on Saturday, the Sooners now rank 132nd out of 133 FBS teams in sacks allowed.
There won’t be some massive schematic overhaul, either.
It’s the middle of the season, the tweaks will be subtle, but Venables’ goal is for Johns and Finley to be able to put the offense in better spots for the final five games of the season.
“There’s obviously always a collaboration, but we’ve figured out what doesn’t work, I know that,” Venables said. “There’s certainly things that haven’t worked, and so you push those to the side and try to lean on expertise.”
“… He and Joe Jon will work together, with the rest of the staff; everybody has a role, but those will be the two voices putting stuff together, and then Joe Jon will call it on gameday.”
Venables expanded on the decision to name Finley as the play caller, too.
“They did not pass that (analyst) rule until fall camp where these other off-the-field people can actually coach,” Venables said. “Because of all this time where (Johns) hasn’t been intimately involved with the offense, but the X’s and the O’s, the verbiage — all the depth of that. (Johns has) been more organizational, advanced scouting.
“… He’s a leader, and so I put him in some of those roles that need really good leadership so you get the right looks and stuff like that. Here we are, and you got a week to make sure you have all your verbiage down and things like that. It’s just a lot. It’s not really fair to put him in that position. But he’ll have a lot of influence.”
Finley and Johns will be rolling with Jackson Arnold at starting quarterback against Ole Miss, Venables announced on Monday.
Arnold was reinserted into the lineup against South Carolina after Michael Hawkins Jr. committed turnovers on each of the first three drives.
Arnold finished the game 18-for-36 passing for 225 yards and a score.
It’s not yet clear if Finley, Johns and Arnold will have more weapons at wide receiver available to work with against the Rebels.
Monday’s practice went well, Venables said, and he’s excited to see Johns get to work as OU’s quarterback coach for the rest of the year.
“He was like a pig in the mud (Monday) with the quarterbacks,” Venables said. “He’ll be a great asset for those guys.
“… He’ll be a great vessel for those quarterbacks to get another lens and to get another view of things. … He was on point. He was really good.”
Oklahoma
Oklahoma teacher turns PB&J’s into a lifeline for students
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.
Oklahoma
Sponsored Content: The Spotlight – Winter Park
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.
Oklahoma
Two state senators are stalling Clemishire bill in Oklahoma; victims are asking why
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.

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