Calvin Thibodeaux - Defensive Line - Football Coaches

Calvin Thibodeaux

Title:
Defensive Line

• Returned to his alma mater on Feb. 24, 2016, when he was named OU’s defensive line coach.

• Named one of Rivals’ top-25 recruiters of 2018 and ’19.

• His 2020 unit was a big reason the Sooners ranked seventh nationally in sacks per game (3.4), ninth in rushing defense (105.1 ypg), 22nd in tackles for loss per game (7.4) and 29th in total defense (350.6 ypg). Pupil Isaiah Thomas finished with team highs of 8.5 sacks (for 60 yards) and 13.0 tackles for loss (for 74 yards).

• Led by AP first-team All-Big 12 selection Neville Gallimore, second-team all-league pick Ronnie Perkins and Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year LaRon Stokes, his defensive line played a significant role in OU improving from 114th in total defense in 2018 (453.8 ypg) to 38th in 2019 (356.4), and from 59th in rushing defense in 2018 (159.8 ypg) to 32nd in 2019 (134.1). Gallimore was a third-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys.

• Presided over OU’s defensive ends in 2017 and ’18, and resumed full defensive line responsibilities in October 2018. His 2017 group featured Walter Camp First-Team All-American and Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who ranked second in the Big 12 with 17.5 tackles for loss and third with 8.0 sacks. D.J. Ward earned second-team all-league accolades that year as well. In 2018, Amani Bledsoe, Neville Gallimore and Kenneth Mann were named honorable mention All-Big 12 picks, and Ronnie Perkins was named an ESPN Freshman All-American.

• Headlined by second-team All-Big 12 selection Jordan Wade, Thibodeaux’s 2016 defensive line unit helped OU rank second in the Big 12 by allowing 162.6 rushing yards per game.

• Returned to OU after serving the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Kansas (2015; defensive line), Tulsa (2012-14; defensive tackles) and Dartmouth (2011; defensive line). He was also the defensive line coach at Navarro Junior College in 2010 and served as a defensive graduate assistant at Houston in 2008 and ’09.

• Tutored Kansas defensive end Ben Goodman to honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2015. Goodman started all 12 games at defensive end and totaled 51 tackles and team highs of 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

• At Tulsa, coached Derrick Jackson to 2012 All-Conference USA honors. Jackson teamed with Daeshon Bufford to combine for 17.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as the Golden Hurricane finished with an 11-3 mark, including a win in the Liberty Bowl.

• Credited with improving the TU pass rush from 27 sacks in 2011 (the season prior to his arrival) to 53 sacks in 2012.

• In lone season at Dartmouth, helped the Big Green post its first winning season in Ivy League play in seven years and coached first-team All-Ivy League and first-team All-New England defensive tackle Eddie Smith.

• Helped Navarro College post an 11-1 record and win the 2010 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship.

• The Bulldogs registered 41 sacks while ranking 11th nationally in rushing defense and 12th nationally in total defense. Tutored NJCAA All-American and Championship Game Defensive MVP Toby Jackson.

• Prior to working at Navarro, served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Houston for two seasons, working specifically with the defensive line and the outside linebackers.

• During his first year with the Cougars, defensive end Phillip Hunt, who amassed 14.0 sacks, was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.

Accomplishments as a Player

• Played at OU from the 2002 through 2006 seasons, helping the Sooners win three Big 12 championships and make appearances in the Rose, Sugar (BCS Championship), Orange (BCS Championship), Holiday and Fiesta Bowls, respectively.

• An All-Big 12 pick in 2005, logging 44 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and a league-high 10.0 sacks (sixth most in school history).

• Finished OU career with 90 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks.

• Signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in 2007 and played in two preseason games.