Offensive Line Coach James Patton Leaving OU

Assistant coach James Patton will not be with the Oklahoma Sooners next year. Patton has accepted a job with the University of Indiana as recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator and assistant defensive line coach.

Coach Bob Stoops released this statement about Patton's departure.

"We appreciate the contributions that James made to our program over the past seven seasons," Stoops said. "He was a valued member of a staff that helped us win five Big 12 championships. We wish James and his family the best in this opportunity with Kevin Wilson at Indiana."

Patton has been at OU since 2006. Before that he was at Northwestern.

"Our family has enjoyed a tremendous experience at the University of Oklahoma," Patton said. "It has truly been a pleasure to work with Joe Castiglione, Coach Stoops and the entire football staff, as well as the many talented student-athletes that I was privileged to coach at OU. I'm excited about this new challenge at Indiana, and am extremely grateful for being afforded a chance to work with Oklahoma Football the past seven years."

Patton will be joining Kevin Wilson's staff who he has spent time with over the years at OU and Northwestern.

The search is now on for Patton's replacement.