Oklahoma hiring former Big Ten and SEC assistant

Oklahoma is bringing a former Big Ten and SEC strength and conditioning coach to Norman. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, James Dobson is joining the Sooners as an assistant strength coach.

“Oklahoma has hired former Nebraska and Vanderbilt head strength and conditioning coach James Dobson as an assistant strength coach, a source tells @On3sports,” tweeted Zenitz. “Was Nebraska’s head strength coach under Bo Pelini and Vandy’s under Derek Mason.”

Moreover, Dobson comes to Oklahoma with a long list of experience. After leading the Nebraska and Vanderbilt strength and conditioning programs, Dobson is joining the Sooners to ensure their’s runs smooth.

Oklahoma has been remaking their coaching staff under Brent Venables, and the Sooners are looking to continue their string of success. While Lincoln Riley was tremendous in Norman, Venables will look to match the success the Sooners have enjoyed.

Bruce Feldman weighs in on state of Oklahoma program

Moreover, FOX’s Bruce Feldman weighed in on the state of the Oklahoma football program in an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. According to Feldman, the Sooners will be just fine under the direction of coach Brent Venables.

First, the presumed loss of Caleb Williams to a new program feels like a big loss for Oklahoma. However, Feldman isn’t worried about the Sooners quarterback position. He believes Dillon Gabriel will be a great fit for the program.

“Dillon Gabriel was all set to start classes at UCLA. I mean, he was a guy who had like 74 touchdowns and 12 picks at UCF. And decided no, I’m not going to go there basically at the eleventh hour,” stated Feldman. “Pivoted and decided I’m going to go play at Jeff Lebby’s system in Oklahoma. He knows that system well.

“I think that’s a very good – I don’t want to say it’s backup plan – but I think if that’s what they pivoted to, it’s going to work out really well for Oklahoma.”

Continuing, Feldman also believes the Sooners will be able to replicate much of their offensive success from recent seasons.

“I suspect they can sell a lot of offensive production that that system has had. I think it’ll be a little different – obviously without Lincoln [Riley] – but there are some key pieces there,” stated Feldman. “One of the secret weapons to the Oklahoma offense was their run game, and why it wasn’t what most people think of in an air raid offense.

“Run game coordinator Bill Bedenbaugh — a lot of people thought he was going to leave. He’s arguably the best offensive line coach in college football, and he decided he wanted to stay.”

Even with the loss of Lincoln Riley and his offense, Feldman believes the Sooners will be just fine.