Justin Broiles officially joins OU coaching staff ahead of 2023 season
A familiar face has officially joined the Sooners' coaching staff, as former OU defensive back Justin Broiles has traded in his helmet for a whistle in Norman.
Broiles announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday after Oklahoma wrapped its media day activities.
Broiles spent the last six seasons at Oklahoma after signing with the Sooners as part of the 2017 class. A hometown product out of John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, Broiles was the No. 9-ranked player at his position in the 2017 cycle and the No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma, per Rivals.
After redshirting in 2017, Broiles broke into the lineup in 2018, making five starts and appearing in 11 games, where he logged 24 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two PBUs.
Broiles appeared in 20 games in 2019 and 2020, totaling 32 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one PBU while starting just one of those games in that stretch.
However, he would rebound going into 2021, making a much bigger impact for the Sooners in nine starts and 13 appearances, totaling 55 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two PBUs.
In his final year, Broiles started 12 of 13 games and had a career-high 71 tackles, with 3.0 TFLs, one interception, and two PBUs.
Broiles stayed around the program during the Sooners' spring practices before signing as undrafted free agent with Chicago this past spring. He was waived in May when the Bears cut their roster down to the 90-man offseason limit.
Seen as a vital part of the Sooners' secondary over his last two seasons, Broiles played a vital role in helping this team transition from the past era to the Venables era.
Despite being a source of conflict for some Sooner fans, Brent Venables openly admired Broiles during tough times last season.
“I’m not sure why he’s a lightning rod," Venables said of Broiles last October. “Why anybody would spend one ounce of energy being emotionally mad about a player that loves this university and has committed every ounce of who he is, every fiber of his body to helping this place be great? I don’t know. I don’t know what’s behind that. That’s kind of disturbing, but it is what it is."
“Justin is terrific,” Venables continued. “He loves his team, loves his teammates, loves his coaches. He values his opportunity. He’s got a thankful spirit every day. He comes with a workman-like attitude, a blue-collar work ethic. He takes every moment ... Where something isn’t going right he takes it on his own shoulders. He bears that burden even when it’s not his fault. He just cares. He cares as much as any player I’ve been around.”
It's likely those exact qualities that landed Broiles on the Sooners' coaching staff, and what makes him a terrific addition to the laundry list of leaders that Venables has built over his first 20 months on the job.