Johnson brings winning culture back at Oklahoma

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – There's a challenge set by firstyear Oklahoma coach Skip Johnson to create a winner again at the University of Oklahoma.

Winning is something that Johnson knows well and he's implementing that in Norman. Johnson was a successful pitching coach at Texas for the late great Augie Garrido where he spent 10 seasons and helped the Longhorns to seven NCAA Regionals, four Super Regionals and three College World Series.

After a season as the pitching coach for the Sooners, Johnson was selected head coach and the early returns are good for Oklahoma. He's gone 36-23 in year one with a 14-10 Big 12 record and his Sooners advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament last week before losing to eventual champs Baylor.

His players are buying in and ready to compete in their first NCAA Regional under their new head man this weekend.

“It's just us building a culture and us getting back to regionals,” Oklahoma starting pitcher Jake Irvin said. “It's real big for the young guys … guys that haven't experienced that yet. It's really big for everybody.”

The junior Irvin is expected to be the starter today at noon against Mississippi State in the Tallahassee Regional at Florida State. He's enjoyed his best season as a Sooner with his 6-2 record, 91.2 innings pitched, 109 strikeouts and just 24 walks.

A career 18-6 record over three years in 37 starts qualifies him as one of the players battletested and prepped for a weekend run even as a three seed. However, he believes the entire team should be ready for any of the challenges over the weekend.

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