Tulsa: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2025–now

Tre Lamb Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

8-12

2024

Ryan Switzer Short tenure

2024 defense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad

0-1

2023–2024

Kevin Wilson Short tenure

2024 defense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad

7-16

2015–2022

Philip Montgomery Steady

Philip Montgomery moved the Golden Hurricane from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 8 seasons.

2020 defense ranked in the 99th percentile nationally — elite

+3.9 pts over 8 seasons · top 41% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Houston’s East Carolina run (2019–2024)

11th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Blankenship (2011–2014) · succeeded by Kevin Wilson (2023–2024).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Record & result
Record	6-7	10-3	2-10	3-9	4-8	6-3	7-6	5-7
Postseason	L bowl	W bowl	—	—	—	L bowl	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#109	#95	#85	#97	#109	#112	#125	#110
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	45.4	40.2	33.0	35.3	46.9	46.3	42.8	49.2
Coordinators
OC	Matt Mattox / Sterlin Gilbert	Philip Montgomery	—	—	—	—	—	—
DC	Bill Young / Brian Norwood	Bill Young / Brian Norwood	Bill Young / Brian Norwood	Bill Young	Joe Gillespie	Joe Gillespie	Joe Gillespie	Luke Olson
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	84	86	48	15	37	32	38	55
Defense	8	73	7	52	55	99	73	41
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	40.9	34.4	27.3	27.6	41.6	39.7	39.9	44.9
Red-zone pass%	26.8	36.4	10.4	24.1	35.4	44.5	26.8	38.3
4th-down go%opp. territory	28.8	26.2	34.4	48.8	31.0	37.8	31.2	28.2

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+4.8 pts

#88 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

+5.7 pts

#77 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

#155 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′3″, 270 lbs

across 11 of 13 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+11.9 lbs

#2 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: OK (3), FL (1), SC (1), SD (1), TX (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

37.1

position-weighted

Talent lost

37.3

position-weighted

Net

-0.1

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Darrell Simpson (OT) from Oklahoma

Biggest loss: Akayleb Evans (CB) to Missouri

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Matt Mattox (co) / Sterlin Gilbert (co) → Philip Montgomery · 2016

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 40.9% → 34.4% (-6.5 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 66% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Bill Young (co) / Brian Norwood (co) → Bill Young · 2018

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Bill Young → Joe Gillespie · 2019

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Joe Gillespie → Luke Olson · 2022

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

216 lbs

6′2″ avg · #294 of 767 · middle half

Running back

216 lbs

5′11″ avg · #110 of 791 · top quarter

Wide receiver

191 lbs

6′0″ avg · #500 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

234 lbs

6′2″ avg · #675 of 731 · bottom quarter

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

310 lbs

6′4″ avg · #320 of 779 · middle half

D-line

285 lbs

6′3″ avg · #349 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

222 lbs

6′2″ avg · #658 of 772 · bottom quarter

Cornerback

193 lbs

6′2″ avg · #232 of 771 · middle half

Safety

198 lbs

6′1″ avg · #139 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Tackle from high school

80%

#171 of 223 stints

Postseason detail2015: Lost to Virginia Tech 52-55 Camping World Independence Bowl2016: Beat Central Michigan 55-10 Miami Beach Bowl2020: Lost to Mississippi State 26-28 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl2021: Beat Old Dominion 30-17 Myrtle Beach Bowl Pres. by TaxAct

5 NFL Draft picks: Reggie Robinson II (2020), Trevis Gipson (2020), Zaven Collins (2021), Tyler Smith (2022), Chris Paul (2022)

1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Zaven Collins (2020)

+3.9

43-53

2011–2014

Bill Blankenship Steady

Bill Blankenship slid the Golden Hurricane from Regional Program I to National Program III in 4 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−5.7 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 32% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Carl Torbush’s North Carolina run (1998–2000)

7th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Todd Graham (2007–2010) · succeeded by Philip Montgomery (2015–2022).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2011	2012	2013	2014
Record & result
Record	8-5	11-3	3-9	2-10
Postseason	L bowl	W bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#80	#89	#81	#79
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	44.7	40.6	47.0	50.2
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	Denver Johnson
DC	—	—	—	Brent Guy
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	49	42	9	31
Defense	67	92	66	7
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	39.5	29.1	30.4	40.0
Red-zone pass%	39.5	26.6	34.0	42.1
4th-down go%opp. territory	31.8	50.0	46.3	41.5

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2011: Lost to BYU 21-24 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl2012: Beat Iowa State 31-17 AutoZone LIBERTY BOWL

−5.7

24-27

2007–2010

Todd Graham Steady

Todd Graham moved the Golden Hurricane from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.

2007 offense ranked in the 99th percentile nationally — elite

+9.4 pts over 4 seasons · top 6% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Sonny Dykes’s SMU run (2018–2021)

10th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Steve Kragthorpe (2003–2006) · succeeded by Bill Blankenship (2011–2014).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2007	2008	2009	2010
Record & result
Record	10-4	11-3	5-7	10-3
Postseason	W bowl	W bowl	—	W bowl
Recruiting rank	#83	#72	#58	#72
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	50.1	38.6	44.8	46.6
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	99	95	35	91
Defense	95	71	71	35
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	38.8	26.6	40.1	39.7
Red-zone pass%	42.6	30.7	43.8	42.1
4th-down go%opp. territory	47.8	43.8	33.3	16.2

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2007: Beat Bowling Green 63-7 Bowl2008: Beat Ball State 45-13 Gmac Bowl2010: Beat Hawai'i 62-35 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: Chris Chamberlain (2008), Charles Clay (2011)

+9.4

36-17

2003–2006

Steve Kragthorpe Steady

Steve Kragthorpe moved the Golden Hurricane from Regional Program V to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

+8.4 pts over 4 seasons · top 7% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Matt Rhule’s Temple run (2013–2016)

13th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Keith Burns (2000–2002) · succeeded by Todd Graham (2007–2010).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2003	2004	2005	2006
Record & result
Record	8-5	4-8	9-4	8-5
Postseason	L bowl	—	W bowl	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	#68	#58	#98
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	39.7	45.3	43.0
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	32	71	89
Defense	—	38	76	61
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	27.6	37.7	36.8
Red-zone pass%	—	25.0	35.2	27.6
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	10.3	44.1

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2003: Lost to Georgia Tech 10-52 Humanitarian Bowl2005: Beat Fresno State 31-24 Bowl2006: Lost to Utah 13-25 Bowl

2 NFL Draft picks: James Kilian (2005), Garrett Mills (2006)

+8.4

29-22

2000–2002

Keith Burns Steady

Keith Burns slid Tulsa from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 3 seasons.

−5.6 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 33% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Gus Malzahn’s UCF run (2021–2024)

14th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed David Rader (1988–1999) · succeeded by Steve Kragthorpe (2003–2006).

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows D-line from high school

100%

#214 of 239 stints

1 NFL Draft pick: Kevin Shaffer (2002)

−5.6

7-28

1988–1999

David Rader Steady

David Rader slid Tulsa from National Program III to Regional Program I in 12 seasons.

−13.2 pts over 12 seasons · bottom 2% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charles McClendon’s LSU run (1962–1979)

9th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed George Henshaw (1987) · succeeded by Keith Burns (2000–2002).

Season	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Record & result
Record	4-7	6-6	3-8	10-2	4-7	4-6-1	3-8	4-7	4-7	2-9	4-7	2-9
Postseason	—	L bowl	—	W bowl	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1989: Lost to Oregon 24-27 Bowl1991: Beat San Diego State 28-17 Bowl

8 NFL Draft picks: Dennis Byrd (1989), Tracy Scroggins (1992), Fallon Wacasey (1992), Barry Minter (1993), Chris Penn (1994), Gus Frerotte (1994), Muadianvita Kazadi (1997), Todd Franz (2000)

−13.2

50-83-1

1987

George Henshaw Short tenure

3-8

1985–1986

Don Morton Short tenure

13-9

1977–1984

John Cooper Steady

John Cooper held the Golden Hurricane at National Program II for 8 seasons.

−4.4 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 24% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charlie Bailey’s UTEP run (1993–1999)

4th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed F. Dry (1972–1976) · succeeded by Don Morton (1985–1986).

7 NFL Draft picks: Rickey Watts (1979), Eddie Hare (1979), Don Blackmon (1981), Eugene Williams (1982), Bill Purifoy (1982), Sid Abramowitz (1983), Michael Gunter (1984)

−4.4

56-32

1972–1976

F. Dry Steady

F. Dry moved Tulsa from Regional Program II to National Program II in 5 seasons.

+9.2 pts over 5 seasons · top 6% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: P.J. Fleck’s Western Michigan run (2013–2016)

6th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Claude Gibson (1970–1972) · succeeded by John Cooper (1977–1984).

Season	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976
Record & result
Record	3-2	6-5	8-3	7-4	7-4-1
Postseason	—	—	—	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1976: Lost to McNeese 16-20 Bowl

8 NFL Draft picks: Drane Scrivener (1973), Arthur Moore (1973), Jeb Blount (1976), Wes Hamilton (1976), Rick Engles (1976), Greg Fairchild (1976), Steve Largent (1976), Steve August (1977)

+9.2

31-18-1

1970–1972

Claude Gibson Steady

Claude Gibson slid Tulsa from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.

−3.1 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 48% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Willie Taggart’s South Florida run (2013–2016)

12th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Vince Carillot (1969) · succeeded by F. Dry (1972–1976).

4 NFL Draft picks: Ralph McGill (1972), Jean Barrett (1972), Drane Scrivener (1973), Arthur Moore (1973)

−3.1

11-16

1969

Vince Carillot Short tenure

1-9

1961–1968

Glenn Dobbs Steady

Glenn Dobbs moved the Golden Hurricane from National Program III to National Program II in 8 seasons.

+9.4 pts over 8 seasons · top 18% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss run (2020–2025)

3rd-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Robert Dobbs (1955–1960) · succeeded by Vince Carillot (1969).

+9.4

45-37

1955–1960

Robert Dobbs Steady

Robert Dobbs slid the Golden Hurricane from National Program II to National Program III in 6 seasons.

−5.9 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 16% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Tommy West’s Memphis run (2001–2009)

8th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Bernie Witucki (1953–1954) · succeeded by Glenn Dobbs (1961–1968).

−5.9

30-28-2

1953–1954

Bernie Witucki Short tenure

3-18

1946–1952

John Brothers Steady

John Brothers slid Tulsa from Power Program II to Power Program III in 7 seasons.

−10.6 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 4% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Tom Rossley’s SMU run (1991–1996)

1st-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Henry Frnka (1941–1945) · succeeded by Bernie Witucki (1953–1954).

−10.6

45-25-4

1941–1945

Henry Frnka Builder

Henry Frnka raised the Golden Hurricane from National Program III to Power Program II.

+20.2 pts over 5 seasons · top 1% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dennis Erickson’s Oregon State run (1999–2002)

2nd-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Chet Benefiel (1939–1940) · succeeded by John Brothers (1946–1952).

+20.2

40-9-1

1939–1940

Chet Benefiel Short tenure

11-8-1

1936–1938

Vic Hurt Steady

Vic Hurt held Tulsa at National Program II for 3 seasons.

5th-best Tulsa tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Chet Benefiel (1939–1940).

National Program II

15-9-5