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THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Friday, November 20, 1998 Former OU offensive coordinator on Tech sideline
this week By OWEN CANFIELD AP Sports Writer NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - It's hard to know, because he isn't saying,
but it would come as no surprise if Dick Winder got an extra-special
kick out of beating Oklahoma on Saturday. Winder is the receivers coach at Texas Tech and will be on
the sideline Saturday when the Red Raiders visit Norman. He returned
to Tech this year after getting fired as Oklahoma's offensive
coordinator, a job he held for two seasons. When he hired Winder away from Texas Tech, Oklahoma coach John
Blake noted the diversity of Winder's offense and its success
during Winder's nine seasons as the Red Raiders' offensive coordinator. When he let Winder go, Blake said it was because he wanted
to return to option football. Blake made Brandon Daniels his quarterback
and said the Sooners would be returning to their option roots. Heading into the season finale, Daniels is on the bench and
Oklahoma (4-6) isn't using the option. The Sooners run primarily
out of the I-formation. They have used five quarterbacks, including
four who have started at least one game. They are averaging 34
fewer yards and three fewer points per game than a year ago. "I think that's a chapter in his life that's kind of closed
and that's behind him," Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes said
when asked about Winder, who didn't return several phone messages
left at his office and home. "It's just part of a process in a person's life that is
behind him and I think we'll just leave it at that." Blake didn't seem to want to talk much about Winder when the
subject turned to motivation for this week's game. "It has to do with our program right here. It has nothing
to do with coach Winder," he said. Ironically, it was Winder who helped engineer Oklahoma's most
impressive victory of last season. In his last game as coordinator,
the Sooners went into Texas Tech as 20-point underdogs but won,
32-21. One story that made the rounds is that while preparing for
the game, Winder told Blake the Sooners would use the option game
for a while - Daniels started at quarterback - but that changes
would be made if OU struggled. Another is that early in the game, Winder turned off his headset
and called the plays on his own, without input from the coaches
in the press box. Regardless, Justin Fuente came off the bench and, directing
Winder's multiple offense, completed 14 of 21 passes for 218 yards
and a touchdowns. Tight end Stephen Alexander caught seven balls
for 121 yards. Oklahoma tight end Jason Freeman has 10 catches in 10 games
this year. Fuente is gone, having transferred after last season.
The lack of a consistent passing game has hurt the running game
and contributed greatly to a third straight losing season, which
in turn has prompted speculation that Blake won't be back next
year. The regents governing the university have called a special
meeting Sunday to evaluate Blake's performance and consider his
contract. Blake stands by his decision to change coordinators and change
direction. "I never look back on any decision I make," Blake
said. "It was not a mistake. ... There's a lot of things
that play a part in that, but it was not a mistake."
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Scripps Co. and the Abilene Reporter-News.
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