Oklahoma Sooners moving on from TE coach Joe Jon Finley per report
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The Oklahoma Sooners are expected to move on from tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley, according to a report from SoonerScoop.com's George Stoia. Stoia cited sources inside the program.
Tight end has been a position that has largely underachieved during Finley's tenure. He came on staff as the tight ends coach in 2021. Although Brayden Willis and Jaren Kanak had breakout seasons, the position underwhelmed in 2022 and 2023, and Finley's recruiting efforts haven't been fruitful.
Willis was a commitment prior to Finley's arrival, and Kanak converted from linebacker during the offseason. But blue-chip additions like Kaden Helms or Davon Mitchell never panned out at Oklahoma. Helms was banged up throughout his career, and Mitchell battled off-field issues before ultimately transferring.
As noted by Stoia, Finley's high school recruits only accounted nine receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns during his five seasons in Norman. Portal additions like Austin Stogner, Bauer Sharp, Carson Kent, Will Huggins, and John Locke didn't really work out either. Sharp was the best of the group, but he was a converted quarterback who struggled to block in the running game.
During the 2024 season, Finley operated as a co-offensive coordinator and play-caller after Seth Littrell was let go midseason. He helped orchestrate the win over Alabama, but the tight end position never developed under Finley.
It'll be interesting to see what Brent Venables and Jim Nagy decide to do to replace Finley. Kevin Wilson, who was brought on as an offensive analyst for 2025, has served as a tight ends coach at Oklahoma and Ohio State during his long tenure as an assistant. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle could also be allowed to bring in his own guy. He inherited Oklahoma's offensive staff when he came on board.
The Sooners will need to have an answer fairly quickly with the transfer portal set to open on January 2 and tight end a need that the Sooners should address.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners moving from Joe Jon Finley per report from SoonerScoop
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