Wishbone: Oklahoma Football, 1959–1985

by Wann Smith, Jay Wilkinson (Foreword)

The Oklahoma Sooners dominated the world of college football during the 1950s. Under the leadership of Coach Bud Wilkinson, the team won three national titles and established an astounding record of forty-seven straight victories that still stands today. Yet by 1959, Wilkinson’s Sooners were showing signs of vulnerability, marking the start of a new and challenging era in Oklahoma football. Then along came a new offensive strategy, and OU began to dominate college football once again. In Wishbone, veteran journalist Wann Smith provides an in-depth account of Sooner football from the team’s final years under Wilkinson through its remarkable turnaround under Coach Barry Switzer. At the heart of this story is the phenomenal success of the Wishbone offense—a hybrid offshoot of the Split-t formation that Wilkinson employed so successfully in the 1950s. Though not without its risks, the Wishbone offense changed the face of college football and was a key factor in Oklahoma’s resurgence in the 1970s with Switzer at the helm. Drawing on firsthand accounts from coaches, players, and university administrators, many never before published, Smith takes us behind the scenes during this exciting comeback period to reveal not just what happened but why and how it happened. And he brings to life the personalities who played pivotal roles in the team’s renewed success, including Jack Mildren, Greg Pruitt, Joe Washington, Billy Sims, and any, many others. Sooner fans, indeed all fans of college football, will relish this account of the remaking of a football powerhouse and its return to glory.

Genres: Sports

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sports book because I remember most of the OU football history covers. The book recounts how OU football declined after the rest of the college football world caught up with Bud Wilkinson's Split-T offense, though there was a brief upward moment in the early 60s.

[Andy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview with insights from the players who were there.

[Tony Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a kid that grew up in the 70s, I enjoyed this historical account of the Sooners football program. I liked how the author resourced the research and interviews with former coaches and players. Honestly, I wanted the book to go into more detail in some instances but it’s a tribute to a book sometimes when it leaves you yearning for more.

[Andy Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Bootlegger's Boy more but this was a good history lesson for a fan. It was interesting to read some of the behind the scenes stories from this great teams.