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"Our family has enjoyed a tremendous experience at Oklahoma," Patton said in an OU-released statement. "It has truly been a pleasure to work with (athletic director) Joe Castiglione, Coach (Bob) Stoops and the entire football staff, as well as the many talented student-athletes that I was privileged to coach at OU.
"I'm excited about the new challenge at Indiana, and am extremely grateful for being afforded a chance to work with Oklahoma football the past seven years."
Patton informed his players Monday morning that he was leaving. Later Monday, those players used Twitter to express both appreciation and surprise over the news.
"Coach Patton is my favorite coach I've had," OU center Gabe Ikard tweeted. "Taught me a lot about football and a lot about life. Really going to miss him."
"Going to miss Coach Patton and I wish him the best of luck," starting guard Bronson Irwin tweeted.
Christian Daimler, the one high school offensive lineman the Sooners signed last week, tweeted: "Damn. Coach Pattons gone."
It is Stoops' second staff shakeup in as many years. He cut loose secondary coach Willie Martinez a year ago to make way for Mike Stoops' return as both secondary coach and defensive coordinator.
"We appreciate the contributions that James made to our program over the past seven seasons," Bob Stoops said in OU's statement. "He was a valued member of a staff that helped us win five Big 12 championships. We wish James and his family the best."
Patton will assist with the defensive line and special teams and serve as recruiting coordinator at Indiana. He rejoins Wilson, a coach he served with at Miami (Ohio), Northwestern and OU dating back to 1998.
"I have a lot of trust and confidence in James Patton," Wilson said in an Indiana press release. "James was one of the toughest players that I've ever coached. He has been in the big time arena, is a Midwest guy and brings some balance to our staff."
Patton joined the Sooners in 2006 when Wilson, then OU's offensive line coach, took over for Chuck Long as offensive coordinator.
Patton remained in Norman when Wilson left to become Indiana's head coach after the 2010 season, but he was reassigned to coach guards and centers only. Stoops promoted on-campus recruiting coordinator Bruce Kittle to coach tackles and tight ends at the time.
In his new role, Patton pieced together two productive seasons from the line's interior despite constant adversity. He lost starting center Ben Habern for half the 2011 season, but shifted guard Ikard to center and helped guard Tyler Evans become an All-Big 12 Conference performer.
Last season, Patton lost both Habern and Evans to season-ending injuries before preseason camp started. Ikard stayed at center and became first-team All-Big 12. Irwin took over for Evans at right guard, joining Ikard and left guard Adam Shead to help the Sooners average 506 yards and 40 points.
One name that has surfaced as a potential Patton replacement is Mark Mangino, Stoops' original offensive line coach who became the Sooners' offensive coordinator during their 2000 national championship season. Mangino left to take over Kansas after the '01 season.
Mangino's tenure at KU ended in 2009 amid multiple reports of player mistreatment.
He has not coached since, although he has been a frequent visitor to Norman in the interim. He was on the field before the Sooners' regular season-ending victory at TCU last December.
Guerin Emig 918-581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
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