Oklahoma Apparently Has Hired Former Clemson LB James Skalski
Former Clemson linebacker James Skalski apparently has been added to the Oklahoma football coaching staff.
Skalski, who played six seasons for the Tigers under Dabo Swinney and then-defensive coordinator Brent Venables, posted on Instagram Sunday several photos of himself wearing OU coaching gear.
He also posted a photo of his late father, John, wearing his No. 96 Oklahoma jersey. John Skalski was a Sooner freshman in 1983.
Skalski’s duties at OU haven’t been publicized yet, but it’s likely he’ll help Venables in some capacity with the linebackers, probably as a defensive analyst or graduate assistant. Skalski's last stop was as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts, where he was released on Aug. 31.
Skalski, who turns 25 next month, went to Clemson out of Northgate High School in Newnan, GA. He graduated from Clemson with a degree in communication in December 2019, then added a master’s degree in athletic leadership in December 2021.
At Clemson, he was a part of two national championships and five straight playoff appearances, and was a four-time ACC Honor Roll selection. According to Clemson, he's the only player ever to play in (and win) five ACC Championship Games.
His college career ran from 2016-2021 and he was a two-time team captain who finished with 310 career tackles (20.5 for loss, including 10 quarterback sacks). He played 1,920 snaps in 69 games, according to his Clemson bio.
