 Named one of the Big 12’s top recruiters by Rivals.com in 2013 and received the Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award.
Versatile coaching veteran returned to his roots mentoring the Sooners’ cornerbacks in 2013. Aaron Colvin earned consensus All-Big 12 First Team selection, while Zach Sanchez was a Freshman All-America pick under Wright’s tutelage.
Wright’s most notable collegiate cornerback pupil was Darrell Green, who made the leap from Texas A&I to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career with the Washington Redskins.
Thanks to the steady play of Wright’s corners in 2013, Oklahoma led the Big 12 in pass defense (212.5 ypg) and total defense (350.2 ypg), while ranking second in the conference in scoring defense (22.1 ppg).
In 2012, coordinated an OU special teams unit that ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (25.8) and eighth in punt return average (14.3), while Sooners also led the Big 12 in kickoff coverage. Boasted an All-Big 12 Second Team pick in DE David King.
Turned a pupil into the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year for the second straight season in 2011 as Frank Alexander was also the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Both of his starting ends were named All-Big 12 as Ronnell Lewis was placed on the first team, as well.
Helped Jeremy Beal, who was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2010, rank among the top 20 nationally in tackles for loss.
OU ranked No. 10 nationally in pass efficiency defense in 2009 and led Big 12 in pass defense as four players received All-Big 12 honors.
OU added two new starters at corner in 2008, but still led the high-scoring, pass-happy Big 12 in pass efficiency defense.
Helped the 2007 OU defense to the No. 3 Big 12 defensive pass efficiency ranking. Three DBs (Nic Harris, Reggie Smith, D.J. Wolfe) earned All-Big 12 First Team honors.
In 2006, OU led the Big 12 and ranked No. 13 nationally in pass efficiency defense. In 2005, OU ranked No. 1 in completion percentage, No. 2 in passing efficiency and No. 3 in passing yardage defense in Big 12 games.
Oklahoma’s 2004 defensive ends Dan Cody, Jonathan Jackson and Larry Birdine, were No. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in Big 12 sacks. In 2003, his ends had 35 TFL, 20.0 sacks and 59 QB hurries.
Under Wright’s guidance, All-Big 12 performer Mike Adams broke every Texas single-season receiving record in 1996, while his ‘91 Longhorn secondary led nation in pass efficiency defense.
Developed Texas K Phil Dawson, an All-SWC honoree and Lou Groza semifinalist, into the nation’s top-ranked kicker.
His 1995 receiving unit was the best in the SWC with 16.8 yards/catch (107 catches for 1,796 yards and 10 TD).
Helped North Texas to 1983 league title, I-AA playoffs after guiding Texas A&I to the 1979 NCAA Division II national title.
|
|
| Coach Wright |
| Hometown |
Mission, Texas |
| High School |
Mission, 1968 |
| College |
SW Texas State, 1973
Texas A&I, 1980 |
| Family |
wife, Bee
daughters, McKenna,
Melia and Micaelan |
| Coaching History |
2011-Present - Oklahoma
Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coord., DEs |
2005-2011 - Oklahoma
Asst. Head Coach, Asst. Def. Coord., DEs |
1999-2004 - Oklahoma
Recruiting Coordinator, DEs |
1986-1997 - Texas
Assistant Coach |
1983-1985 - North Texas State
Assistant Coach |
1979-1982 - Texas A&I
Assistant Coach |
1973-78 - Texas High School ranks
Coach |
| Bowls Coached (20) |
| 2014 Sugar |
Oklahoma |
| 2013 Cotton |
Oklahoma |
| 2011 Insight |
Oklahoma |
| 2011 Fiesta |
Oklahoma |
| 2009 Sun |
Oklahoma |
| 2009 BCS Championship |
Oklahoma |
| 2008 Fiesta |
Oklahoma |
| 2007 Fiesta |
Oklahoma |
| 2005 Holiday |
Oklahoma |
| 2005 Orange |
Oklahoma |
| 2004 Sugar |
Oklahoma |
| 2003 Rose |
Oklahoma |
| 2002 Cotton |
Oklahoma |
| 2001 Orange |
Oklahoma |
| 1999 Independence |
Oklahoma |
| 1997 Fiesta |
Texas |
| 1996 Sugar |
Texas |
| 1994 Sun |
Texas |
| 1991 Cotton |
Texas |
| 1987 Bluebonnet |
Texas |
PROMINENT PUPILS
Aaron Colvin (Oklahoma), First Team All-Big 12
Zach Sanchez (Oklahoma), Freshman All-America
David King (Oklahoma), Eagles, Second Team All-Big 12
Ronnell Lewis (Oklahoma), All-Big 12
Frank Alexander (Oklahoma), Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Second Team All-American, All-Big 12
Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma), Broncos, Big 12 Def. Lineman of the Year, All-Big 12
Dominique Franks (Oklahoma), Falcons, All-Big 12
Brian Jackson (Oklahoma), Giants, All-Big 12
Nic Harris (Oklahoma), Bills
Lendy Holmes (Oklahoma), Redskins
Reggie Smith (Oklahoma), 49ers, All-Big 12
Eric Bassey (Oklahoma), Rams
Dan Cody (Oklahoma), Hendricks finalist, consensus All-Big 12 (2003-04)
Jonathan Jackson (Oklahoma), All-Big 12
Jimmy Wilkerson (Oklahoma), Saints, Honorable mention All-Big 12
Cory Heinecke (Oklahoma), Two-time honorable mention All-Big 12
Corey Callens (Oklahoma), Honorable mention All-Big 12
Priest Holmes (Texas)
Phil Dawson (Texas), Browns
Mike Adams (Texas), Browns
Lance Gunn (Texas), All-American
Stanley Richards (Texas), All-American
Winfred Tubbs (Texas), All-American
Britt Hager (Texas), All-American
Eric Metcalf (Texas)
Darrell Green (Texas A&I), NFL All-Pro |
