NORMAN — Bob Barry Sr., will end his career as the play-by-play voice of Oklahoma football and men’s basketball after this season. But it was evident Tuesday that Barry’s affiliation with the Sooners will continue.
“This is not going to be the end, because we simply can’t let someone who’s such an important part of our family completely retire,” OU president David Boren said Tuesday.
Barry, 79, said this season, which will be his 50th as a college sports play-by-play voice, is the appropriate time for him to give up his play-by-play duties. He’s had both knees and both hips replaced over the last decade and the travel isn’t as easy it used to be.
“You know, when you get to be nearly 80, next February, you can’t quite see as well as you used to, and the press boxes just keep getting farther and farther away,” he said.
But Boren was adamant that Barry would still be part of OU’s broadcast team next season and beyond.
The plan is for Barry to lend his voice to special projects and continue with OU’s pregame shows. There are also plans to use Barry as a color commentator.
All that is fine with Barry. He doesn’t want to completely retire either.
“There’s no way I’m gonna be bored. I’ll be at every game that they let me come to and do whatever they like,” he said. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of the university. That really is a thrill, because I’m not just being put out to pasture, so to speak. I’m going to continue to have something to do with the university, and that means a lot to me.”
No comparison
Stoops appeared on the “Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday and created a small stir when he was asked if there was anything current quarterback Landry Jones did better than former quarterback Sam Bradford.
“Grow a mustache,” Stoops said.
Some could take that as a shot at Jones, but Stoops said comparing Jones to Bradford isn’t appropriate at this point.
“In all fairness to Landry, we love where he’s at. Everything he’s doing, his attitude. He has skills, he’s smart, he works hard and he’s going to be a great player,” Stoops said. “To compare him to the No. 1 pick in the draft and a guy who set records, just isnt fair.”
Jones didn’t have a problem with Stoops’ assessment. In fact, he wasn’t even sure about the mustache thing.
“I don’t know if Sam ever tried to grow facial hair. I’m sure he could. I’m not for sure about that,” Jones said. “As far as me getting to Sam’s level, that’s not my goal. My goal is not to be Sam Bradford. Yes, he is a great player. Does he do some stuff really good? Yeah, absolutely. That’s not who I’m trying to be right now. I’m trying to be Landry Jones, the best player I can be.”
Injury update
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said defensive tackle Adrian Taylor was able to practice Tuesday, but a decision still hasn’t been made on his status for Saturday’s game.
“He’s worked extremely hard and I hope he has the opportunity to suit up and move around and see what he can do,” Venables said. “He’s looked good in the little bit he’s been practicing.”
Stoops said the hope was Taylor could play 15 to 20 snaps against Utah State.
Defensive end Frank Alexander’s chances of playing, however, don’t look good. The junior suffered an ankle injury last week and Venables said he wasn’t able to practice Tuesday.
“I don’t know about him,” Venables said.
RB rotation
Stoops said senior running back DeMarco Murray will be OU’s main running back Saturday. With Mossis Madu serving a one-game suspension Saturday, sophomores Jermie Calhoun and Jonathan Miller will be the Nos. 2 and 3 running backs.
Freshman Brennan Clay has worked as a running back, but will likely play some at slot receiver against Utah State. He will also return kicks.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
