Why Oklahoma’s O-Linemen Were ‘Happy and Blessed’ When Bill Bedenbaugh Returned

NORMAN — It was Dec. 7, only a day after Brent Venables was launched as Oklahoma’s latest head coach, when information broke that Invoice Bedenbaugh would return because the Sooners’ offensive line coach.

A gaggle of 16 younger males — OU’s present rely of o-linemen — celebrated in Norman.

“Once we heard Coach B was coming again, that was for certain a plus,” stated heart Andrew Raym. “Each man within the o-line room was comfortable about it. We knew we have been going to be set this yr.”

“I used to be so comfortable and blessed that Bedenbaugh obtained to say,” stated proper guard Chris Murray. “That’s my man. He has all my belief.”

Bedenbaugh coaches his guys laborious, they usually love him for it. Having one of the crucial completed assistant coaches in faculty soccer return — within the face of such tumultuous upheaval — gave everybody quick assurance that every part can be OK.

“It was large,” stated left sort out Anton Harrison. “I felt like him staying actually confirmed how a lot he cares about us and about Oklahoma. That drove me. Him staying drives me extra daily to do my finest and develop into the participant I do know I will be.”

Bedenbaugh obtained the query in early March in regards to the alternative Venables gave him, and he answered it with nearly startling forthrightness and readability.

“I came upon that Sunday (when Venables’ plan landed in Norman),” Bedenbaugh stated. “I did. It is lots of unknowns. You do not know. You’ve got obtained a household. That is crucial factor and that is the very first thing that goes via your head. My children have grown up right here. My spouse’s from Oklahoma.

“I used to be lucky sufficient to have the time to attend round. Bought a reasonably good relationship with our administration and let or not it’s recognized that I wished to remain if I might. There is no ensures. However in some unspecified time in the future, I needed to decide if I did not know what was gonna occur. It labored out for the most effective.”

Bedenbaugh has lengthy been lauded as top-of-the-line offensive line coaches within the nation. Bob Stoops employed him, Lincoln Riley saved him, and Venables wasted no time retaining him.

“I really like Oklahoma. I really like residing right here. I really like every part about this place,” Bedenbaugh stated. “I feel it is particular. … Hell, I am gonna reside in Oklahoma once I retire. I’ve obtained a home at Grand Lake. That is the place I am gonna reside. I am not from Oklahoma. I’ve stated this earlier than. I did not play right here, however that is my house now. Simply glad it labored out.”

So are his gamers — these returning, and the brand new ones.

“Not a lot must be stated,” stated switch portal arrival McKade Mettauer, “if you’re at a faculty like this with the teaching workers and the accolades that coach Bedenbaugh has.”

Even a participant like Wanya Morris, who transferred from Tennessee final yr amid a lot fanfare however by no means was capable of climb the depth chart and work his approach into any substantial taking part in time, has a deep appreciation for his place coach.

“Once you undergo the portal and also you see issues for the second time, you get to see these coaches who’ve been there and accomplished that,” Morris stated. “He has the great stats and (he’s) a beautiful particular person, on and off the sector. Why wouldn’t I? He’s accomplished it earlier than, why can’t he do it with me?”

This yr’s offensive line should substitute left guard Marquis Hayes and proper sort out Tyrese Robinson, and people coming again want to point out progress. That’s taking place this spring, gamers say.

“Clearly we’ve gamers that wanted to step up, as in myself and different gamers on the O-line, to steer the offense,” Harrison stated. “I really feel prefer it’s getting fairly good. There are nonetheless areas we have to develop in. However all in all, we’re rising daily.”

Hayes and Robinson might have returned, however selected to show professional. Others had the chance to depart however determined to return again.

Bedenbaugh is likely one of the causes.

“In fact there was some ideas on leaving final yr,” Murray stated, “however on the finish of the day I simply needed to sit down with coach Bedenbaugh and simply speak about what was finest for me and what was finest for the staff, and that was me coming again one other yr. I’ll simply depart it at that.

“I belief him and this teaching workers and this college, so me coming again was what he thought was finest and what I assumed was finest, so I used to be going to try this.”