Report: Oklahoma Expresses Interest in UNLV Offensive Coordinator

Oklahoma has reportedly entered the race for one of the nation’s up-and-coming offensive coordinators.

AllHogs.com’s Jacob Davis reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Oklahoma has “inquired” about UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion to replace Jeff Lebby, who took the Mississippi State head coaching job on Sunday.

Notre Dame, Penn State and Oklahoma have joined Arkansas in the Brennan Marion Sweepstakes.

All three programs have inquired about the current UNLV OC’s services for respective OC openings.

As mentioned earlier, Marion is a finalist for the San Diego State job. Plus, receiving…
— Jacob Davis (@JacobScottDavis) November 27, 2023

Marion, a former First Team All-Conference USA wide receiver at Tulsa, has shot up the coaching ranks.

After serving as the running backs coach at Oklahoma Baptist in 2016, Marion’s first on-field coaching role in college football, he was then hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Howard from 2017-2018, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at William & Mary in 2019, wide receivers coach at Hawaii in 2020, wide receivers coach at Pittsburgh in 2021, passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Texas in 2022, and UNLV’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023.

This year, UNLV’s offense ranks 40th in the FBS in total offense, gaining 424.3 yards per game and 19th in scoring offense (35.6 points per game). Marion’s offense also ranks fourth in third-down percentage, converting 51.1 percent of attempts, 25th in rushing offense (187.8 yards per game) and 54th in passing offense (236.6 yards per game).

The Rebels are 9-3 overall, and will play Boise State in the Mountain West Conference title game on Saturday.

Under Marion’s tutelage, UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava has completed 64 percent of his passes, throwing for 14 scores while only tossing six interceptions.

The Rebel running back room has thrived this year. Vincent Davis Jr. leads the way with 667 yards and five scores, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, while Jai’Den Thomas has rushed for 501 yards and 12 touchdowns and Donavyn Lester has totaled 449 yards and nine scores.

Maiava and running back Courtney Reese have also played a significant role, rushing for 244 yards and 233 yards this season, respectively.

If Oklahoma coach Brent Venables zeroes in on Marion to run his offense, there will be plenty of weapons at his disposal.

True freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold is in line to take over as the starter as the Sooners head into the SEC, and the former 5-star already got a taste of action, slotting in for Dillon Gabriel in the second half against BYU to help OU escape Provo with a win.

Running back Gavin Sawchuk finished the year as Oklahoma’s leading rusher, ending up with 610 yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 105 carries, and Sawchuk rushed for over 100 yards in the final four games of the year.

Tawee Walker was also productive, running the ball 95 times for 496 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sophomore Jovantae Barnes had a tough year, ending with 37 carries for 140 yards and one score, though he flashed plenty of potential as a true freshman. In 2022, he totaled 519 yards and five scores playing mostly behind starting running back Eric Gray.

The Sooners also have the top-ranked running back in the 2024 class committed in Taylor Tatum, giving Marion a host of options for his "Go-Go Offense."

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