The head coach was fired by the Sooners, which is unconscionable.

The head coach was fired by the Sooners, which is unconscionable.

(AP) — NORMAN, Oklahoma Ted Roof was let go on Thursday from his positions as Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. The Sooners’ defense had a solid start to the season but suffered in the latter stages.

In a press release, Sooners head coach Brent Venables stated that he informed Roof of his dismissal as defensive coordinator and that Roof turned down a chance to stay on the team in a different capacity.

This season, Roof’s second with the Sooners, Oklahoma made great strides. Oklahoma had 20 interceptions, sixth in the US, and 26 takeaways, good for second place.

The Sooners limited their opening five opponents to 20 points or fewer. After that, Oklahoma defeated Texas in its lone regular-season match to get to 6-0.

Things didn’t go as well the rest of the season. The  Sooners hosted 520 yards in a 69-45 victory over TCU in the regular-season finale, but they also suffered defeats to Kansas and Oklahoma State.

Roof’s last game was an Alamo Bowl defeat to Arizona, 38-24. Quarterback Noah Fifita of Arizona completed 354 yards of passing with two touchdowns.

There will be new coordinators on both sides of the ball for the Sooners, who are leaving the Big 12 to play in the Southeastern Conference in the upcoming season. Seth Littrell, an offensive analyst for the Sooners, was elevated to coordinator before to the Alamo Bowl, taking over for Jeff Lebby, who was appointed as Mississippi State’s head coach. Joe Jon Finley, the tight ends coach for the Sooners, was also previously elevated to co-offensive coordinator.