Tales from the Oklahoma Sooner Sideline

No single element has the power to absolutely define the lasting enchantment of Oklahoma football. Decades of great successes and occasional heartbreak have spawned generations of faithful disciples, who treat fall Saturdays like sacred holidays dedicated to their heroes donning the crimson and cream. Tales from the Oklahoma Sooner Sideline provides a glimpse, with a behind-the-scenes perspective, into the traditions surrounding Oklahoma football. Through dozens of stories, Jay Upchurch describes the individual and team triumphs that commenced with the hiring of legendary coach Bud Wilkinson and continue today. Tales from the Oklahoma Sooner Sideline spans the careers of the Big Three--Wilkinson, Barry Switzer, and Bob Stoops--whose respective programs have accounted for seven national championships over the last five decades. Within these pages are stories from OU greats such as Pop Ivy, Tommy McDonald, Eddie Crowder, Billy Vessels, Prentice Gautt, Joe Don Looney, Granville Liggins, Steve Owens, Greg Pruitt, the Selmon brothers, Billy Sims, Joe Washington, Brian Bosworth, Keith Jackson, Thomas Lott, Roy Williams, Josh Heupel, Rocky Calmus, Adrian Peterson, Sam Bradford, and many, many more. The color and pageantry of game days unfolds within these pages, complete with sideline antics, dramatic insight, and the poetry that is Oklahoma football.

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Barry Switzer served as head coach at Oklahoma for sixteen seasons, winning twelve Big Eight titles and three national championships between 1973 and 1988. He also coached four seasons in the National Football League with the Dallas Cowboys, becoming one of only three coaches to win a college national championship and a Super Bowl title.