Sooner for later
Ruffin McNeill will be Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season, but who are the possible candidates for the job next season?
NORMAN — Ruffin McNeill will be Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season.
After that, though, Sooners coach Lincoln Riley will have to find a more permanent solution.
Here’s a look at seven potential candidates for the job:
Why it could work: McNeill is known as a master motivator and while the Sooners need to recruit better on defense, the issue with OU’s defense now is as much about putting the players in good position and getting the most out of them. Plenty of McNeill’s former players swear by his coaching style.
Why it might not: After letting Mike Stoops go earlier this week, Riley might want a clean break from Stoops’ defense. Also at age 60, McNeill might not be the recruiting presence Riley would like from such an important spot.
Bob Diaco, interim outside linebackers coach
Why it could work: While Riley said McNeill would be the one to call the defense, Diaco figures to play a bigger role than any other defensive assistant other than McNeill in formulating the game plan and deciding the direction of the defense. Diaco was the defensive coordinator on the 2012 Notre Dame team that beat Oklahoma in Norman and played for a national title.
Why it might not: Diaco’s Nebraska defense was atrocious last season, and Diaco prefers a 3-4 defense that might be something the Sooners want to get away from moving forward.
Why it could work: Riley has placed an emphasis on recruiting since he took over, and Montgomery developed a reputation as a strong recruiter during his two seasons as a defensive line coach with the Sooners in 2013-14.
Why it might not: Montgomery might be content to stay in the NFL, which he said was a dream of his when he left Norman shortly after being named co-defensive coordinator in 2014. Also, Riley might not want someone with ties to the Stoops era.
Morgan Scalley, Utah defensive coordinator
Why it could work: Scalley, in his third season as the Utes’ defensive coordinator, has built a reputation both around his run defense — Utah is No. 3 in the country in the category so far this year — but also on the recruiting trail.
Why it might not: Scalley is a Utah grad who hasn’t coached at any other school and doesn’t have ties to the areas the Sooners are most active in recruiting.
Chad Glasgow, TCU defensive coordinator
Why it could work: Who says there’s no defense in the Big 12? Though head coach Gary Patterson calls the Horned Frogs’ defense, Glasgow has been a major part of what has consistently been the league’s top defense over the last few seasons. Glasgow is a Woodward native who played at Oklahoma State. Glasgow nearly left for SMU over the offseason.
Why it might not: Would the Sooners be able to convince a Cowboy that’s spent all but one of the last 18 years under Patterson with the Horned Frogs to join their side?
Alex Grinch, Ohio State co-defensive coordinator
Why it could work: Grinch is in his late 30s and is already a three-time Broyles Award nominee. Grinch, like Lincoln Riley, has ties to Mike Leach, having engineered a turnaround of Washington State’s defense for the last three years before taking the job in Columbus where he works with Greg Schiano on the Buckeyes’ defense. Grinch’s ability to put together top 20 defenses even under Leach’s offensive structure has to be appealing to Riley.
Why it might not: Grinch is an Ohio guy, growing up in the Columbus suburb of Grove City. If Schiano decides to head back to the NFL, Grinch figures to be in line to take over as the sole defensive coordinator.
Pete Golding, Alabama co-defensive coordinator
Why it could work: On a list of mostly younger candidates, Golding is the youngest at 34. He might be ready to step out on his own as a solo defensive coordinator at a major program after a run at Texas-San Antonio.
Why it might not: It’s not easy coordinating defense in the SEC, even at Alabama, but calling defenses in the Big 12 is a totally different animal.