Boomer Back in the Building: Baker Mayfield Appointed Associate Head Coach at Oklahoma Sooners Football in Blockbuster Return
NORMAN, Okla. – June 4, 2025
In a move that has sent shockwaves of pure elation through the Oklahoma Sooners fanbase, Baker Mayfield, the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and one of the most iconic players in program history, has officially been appointed Associate Head Coach of Oklahoma Football. The announcement was made Wednesday morning by Athletic Director Joe Castiglione and Head Coach Brent Venables during an electrifying press conference held at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The return of the man who once planted the OU flag in the middle of Ohio State’s turf, sparked comebacks with fire in his eyes, and turned adversity into adrenaline has brought the Sooner Nation to its feet once again — only this time, Mayfield won’t be throwing touchdowns, but shaping the next generation of Sooners to do just that.
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⚡ “He’s One of Us” – A Return Written in Crimson
Mayfield’s journey with Oklahoma is nothing short of legendary. A former walk-on who transferred from Texas Tech in 2014, Mayfield battled NCAA transfer rules, earned the starting quarterback job, and led the Sooners to three Big 12 titles (2015–2017) and two College Football Playoff appearances. In 2017, he captured the Heisman Trophy, finishing one of the most electrifying seasons in college football history.
Now, eight years after he last wore the crimson and cream, he returns to Norman not as a player but as a coach. “This is home,” Mayfield said, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. “It always has been, and it always will be. I’m back where I belong — not just to give back, but to build something greater than we ever imagined.”
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🧠 Title & Responsibilities
Mayfield’s new role as Associate Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach will include:
Direct supervision of quarterback development
Mentorship and leadership training for offensive players
Strategic input during game planning and film sessions
Direct involvement in recruiting, especially targeting elite QBs and offensive playmakers
Serving as the public face of the program alongside Venables in alumni and media events
Leadership initiatives in team culture and performance psychology
Head Coach Brent Venables was emphatic about Mayfield’s appointment: “Baker Mayfield is a warrior, a leader, and a teacher. His football IQ is off the charts, but it’s his ability to connect — to inspire — that made this decision so easy. We’re not just bringing back a legend. We’re bringing back a transformational leader.”
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📈 From the NFL to the Locker Room
After a rollercoaster but resilient NFL career that saw him lead the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff win in 26 years, then stints with the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mayfield made it clear in recent interviews that coaching had always been on his radar.
“I didn’t want to do it just to do it,” Mayfield said. “I wanted to come back when I knew I could give 110%—when I could be present, teach, and be a part of something bigger than myself again. That time is now.”
Mayfield, now 30, brings a decade of quarterbacking knowledge from both college and the pros. Known for his attention to detail, relentless preparation, and unmatched competitiveness, he’s expected to be an immediate asset to quarterback development. Redshirt sophomore QB Jamari Johnson called Mayfield’s arrival “a dream come true.”
“I grew up watching him win the Heisman. Now he’s coaching me? This is surreal,” Johnson said. “He’s already texting us at midnight with breakdowns of our footwork. He’s obsessed, and that’s what you want in a coach.”
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💬 Fanbase Reaction: Bedlam-Level Excitement
The announcement was met with thunderous excitement across social media platforms. Former Sooners, alumni, and fans flooded the internet with tributes, throwback highlights, and emotional reactions:
> “OU just got its heart and soul back. #BoomerSooner”
— @SoonerLegacy88
> “Mayfield returning as coach? That’s better than any 5-star commitment we could’ve gotten. Let’s goooo!!!”
— @CrimsonFaithful
> “First he planted the flag. Now he’s planting the future.”
— @SoonerFamily2025
The Oklahoma Alumni Association reported a 600% spike in website traffic in the 2 hours following the announcement. Merchandise sales on “Mayfield Coaching Collection” — an exclusive OU apparel drop — sold out within 30 minutes.
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🎤 From Walk-On to Associate Head Coach: A Full Circle
Mayfield’s story is already folklore in Norman. From walking on without a scholarship, to becoming the face of a football program, to hoisting the Heisman Trophy with tears in his eyes — and now, to returning in a leadership role — it’s a narrative that feels almost cinematic.
“This program made me a man,” Mayfield reflected. “Coach Stoops gave me a shot. Coach Riley sharpened my game. And now Coach Venables is giving me the opportunity to lead young men just like I once was. It’s the full circle. And we’re just getting started.”
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🏟️ Looking Ahead: Mayfield’s Impact on Recruiting & Culture
Mayfield’s presence is expected to be a game-changer in recruiting. Recruits already look up to him as both a college football legend and an NFL quarterback. His firsthand experience, authenticity, and relatability give Oklahoma an edge when it comes to securing top-tier offensive talent.
OU’s Director of Recruiting, Josh Franklin, said: “When you bring in someone like Baker, you don’t just add a coach—you add a brand. Recruits want to play for someone who lived it. Who fought through it. Who won through it.”
Culturally, Mayfield is already making waves inside the locker room. Multiple players described a meeting with Mayfield this morning where he told the team, “No one’s going to give you respect. You earn it every damn day.”
Wide receiver Raheem Burton said, “It wasn’t a speech. It was a wake-up call.”
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🛑 Challenges Ahead? Mayfield Isn’t Shying Away
Some analysts have raised questions about Mayfield’s inexperience as a coach, but those closest to the program aren’t concerned.
“Baker’s been a coach in every huddle he’s ever been in,” Venables said. “His leadership translates. And his humility to learn from the staff is part of what makes him perfect for this.”
Mayfield himself addressed it directly: “I don’t have all the answers. But I’ve got the work ethic to find them, the courage to try, and the love for this place to never stop pushing. That’s what Oklahoma is all about.”
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🧱 Legacy in Progress
Baker Mayfield’s legacy at Oklahoma was already carved into stone. Now, he returns not to bask in past glory, but to build something even greater.
“I want championships,” he said. “I want to send players to the league, yes — but I also want to send out husbands, fathers, leaders, and warriors who are proud to say they were Sooners. This isn’t a retirement tour. This is a new mission.”
As the cameras turned off and reporters packed up, one chant echoed from the student section gathered outside the stadium gates:
“Baker’s Back!”
And for the Sooner faithful, that means only one thing:
Hope. Fire. Glory.
All in crimson and cream.
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#BoomerSooner | #BakerReturns | #OklahomaStrong
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