For the first time since joining Oklahoma on Jan. 4, Todd Bates spoke with the local media last week. Bates was named Oklahoma’s associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach.
Bates arrives in Norman with a sterling reputation for landing some of the nation’s premiere talent. It’s Oklahoma’s reputation that ultimately attracted Bates to OU.
“Man, I tell you what. It’s one of the blue blood programs, man, and with tradition oozing out its ears. You talk about the 50 conference championships. You talk about since 2000 winning 239 ball games, and that doesn’t just happen, and that’s regardless of who’s been at the helm. You know, over that time, three different coaches and people at the helm, they just kept it going. And Oklahoma’s just always been a special place,” Bates said.
While at Alabama, Bates and the Crimson Tide lost in Norman 37-27, so he was at least somewhat familiar with what Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is…