What’s up, everybody?

Former Kansas State tight ends coach Zach Hanson announced yesterday that he has joining the Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff as a senior offensive analyst. If the name sounds familiar to you, it’s because Zach is the husband of Annie Hanson, OU’s Executive Director of Recruiting. Welcome to Sooner Nation, Coach Hanson!

As an analyst, one of his roles is to bring perspectives in the room, and anybody who has studied under the tutelage of the great Bill Snyder as both a player and a coach has probably picked up on more than a few tricks of the trade. As for the other half of the Hanson couple, Annie has helped place the Sooners back amongst the elite of college football’s recruiting giants. If you haven’t seen this look inside their unique relationship, I highly suggest you check it out. The Hansons are definitely a power couple in the making.

Last season’s offseason analyst hire was on the defensive side of the ball with Bob Diaco. By all accounts it was a mutually beneficial relationship, especially considering the disarray and midseason turnover on defense. On the other side, the state of the offensive department is quite healthy and has been for some time. Any insight Hanson can provide would be icing on the cake, or gravy on the potatoes, if you prefer that analogy.

Now for today’s Hot Links! Mel Kiper Jr. moves Kyler Murray to the top of his mock draft, Bedlam Baseball is back, Conor McGregor suddenly retires and more!

OU Links

• Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield not only went back-to-back as Heisman Trophy winners, they went head-to-head with the ropes. K1 has them things looking blurry, but the real contest would be to measure endurance. I’d absolutely watch that show.

• Speaking of Murray, a debate about what the Arizona Cardinals should do with the No. 1 overall pick came about at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. Should the Cards draft the former dual-sport star? If so, what should happen with Josh Rosen?
• ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Kyler Murry going first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, and the reason why is because of the perfect storm that has developed around Arizona.

• There’s no doubt about which game is the most anticipated for the Sooners this upcoming football season. It would appear the rivalry with Texas has restored much of its past luster now that the Longhorns are seen as legitimate conference contenders again.
• Bedlam baseball is back tonight in Stillwater as Oklahoma takes on in-state rival Oklahoma State in a midweek non-conference matchup. The Sooners have lost seven consecutive games against the Cowboys dating back to the 2017 season, so it’s as good a time as any for some payback. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

• Former Sooner QB Landry Jones, who spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers in a backup role, is now with Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders. It’ll be an uphill battle for him to make the final 53-man roster, but at least he’s getting another chance to prove himself.

Around the Sports World

• Portland Trailblazers center Jusuf Nurkic suffered multiple compound fractures in the lower part of his left leg on Monday night. You hate to see that happen to anybody, regardless of team affiliation. The video is quite graphic, so proceed with caution if you have not already seen it.
• UFC icon Conor McGregor nonchalantly announced his retirement on Twitter. I know some people get tired of his antics and the trash he talks, but personally I think it makes the sport more interesting when there’s a character that barks as loud as he bites. Also, I don’t buy that he’s actually hanging up the gloves. I expect he’ll be back at some point.

• Robert Griffin III is being sued by his former agent for $650,000, who claims RGIII did not pay him his 15 percent share of marketing and endorsement deals.
• The MLB has suspended San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer without pay until July 1st after video surfaced of him and his wife involved in an altercation earlier this month.
• Now that Neal Brown is head coach at West Virginia, what are the expectations for the Troy Trojans football program this fall? Bill Connelly breaks it all down to continue his preseason preview of ever FBS program.

Stick to Sports!

• Dutch art detective Arthur Brand has recovered a Picasso painting after it was stolen 20 years ago. The piece is estimated to be worth $28 million. What I want to know now is how competitive is the art detective industry? Seems like a cool premise for a European action-film.

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