It appears that the Oklahoma Sooners have identified their next special teams coordinator following Jay Nunez’s departure to Alabama. With a vacancy on the coaching staff, Brent Venables and the Sooners seem to have honed in on Doug Deakin, the special teams coach from San Diego State.
According to reports by Collin Kennedy and Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Oklahoma and Deakin are nearing a deal. Deakin has accumulated 17 years of experience at San Diego State in various roles, starting as a walk-on player before transitioning into coaching. Over the past six seasons, he has notably overseen one of the nation’s top special teams units, consistently ranking in the top 10 in ESPN’s special teams efficiency rating.
Under Deakin’s guidance in 2023, Jack Browning achieved recognition as a second-team All-Mountain West player and was a semifinalist for both the Ray Guy and Lou Groza awards. Additionally, returners Mekhi Shaw and Kenan Christon received honorable mentions for all-conference honors. Noteworthy performances also occurred in previous years, such as Jordan Byrd being the sole player in FBS to score both a kick and punt return touchdown in 2022, earning him All-MWC first-team distinctions in both roles, and Matt Araiza’s Ray Guy Award win for best punter in 2021.
Deakin’s proven success as a special teams coach contrasts with Oklahoma’s struggles in that aspect during the 2023 season. The Sooners faced challenges across different facets of special teams play throughout the year.
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