What Is 1960 Oklahoma Sooners football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1960 Oklahoma Sooners football team finished with a 6–4 record under head coach Bud Wilkinson, marking the end of his 17-year tenure. They played in the Big Eight Conference and lost the 1961 Orange Bowl to LSU, 14–0.

Key Facts

The 1960 Oklahoma Sooners finished the season with a 6–4 overall record
Head coach Bud Wilkinson resigned after 17 seasons following the 1960 season
The team played in the Big Eight Conference and went 4–2 in conference play
They lost the 1961 Orange Bowl to LSU by a score of 14–0
Quarterback Jerry Rhome led the team with 1,055 passing yards that season

Overview

The 1960 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Big Eight Conference, the team was led by head coach Bud Wilkinson, who was in his final season after 17 years at the helm. The Sooners finished the regular season with a 6–4 overall record and a 4–2 mark in conference play.

This season marked a turning point for the Oklahoma football program, as it ended one of the most dominant dynasties in college football history. After a 20-year run that included three national championships and a record 47-game winning streak, the 1960 season signaled a decline in dominance. The team’s performance culminated in a loss in the 1961 Orange Bowl, which was Wilkinson’s final game as head coach.

Record: The 1960 Sooners finished with a 6–4 overall record, their first losing season since 1953, ending a long streak of consistent success under Bud Wilkinson.
Head Coach:Bud Wilkinson resigned after the season, concluding a legendary 17-year tenure in which he compiled a 145–29–4 record and won three national titles.
Conference: Oklahoma competed in the Big Eight Conference, finishing fourth with a 4–2 conference record behind Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Iowa State.
Bowl Game: The team played in the 1961 Orange Bowl on January 2, 1961, where they were shut out 14–0 by the LSU Tigers in front of 70,000 fans in Miami.
Quarterback:Jerry Rhome led the offense with 1,055 passing yards, becoming one of the few bright spots in a season marked by defensive struggles and inconsistent play.

Season Performance

The 1960 season saw Oklahoma struggle to maintain its elite status amid increased competition and offensive inconsistencies. Despite a strong start, losses to ranked teams like Missouri and LSU exposed weaknesses in both the offensive line and secondary.

Early Momentum: Oklahoma began the season 3–0, defeating SMU (21–6), Missouri (27–0), and Stanford (10–0), showing promise under Wilkinson’s leadership.
Missouri Loss: A 20–13 defeat to Missouri in October snapped a 29-game home winning streak at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, marking a symbolic shift in dominance.
Defensive Struggles: The Sooners allowed an average of 17.1 points per game, a significant increase from previous seasons when they often held opponents under 10 points.
LSU Rivalry: In the Orange Bowl, Oklahoma was overpowered by LSU’s defense, which held the Sooners to just 178 total yards and forced two turnovers.
End of an Era: Wilkinson’s resignation was announced before the bowl game, with assistant Gomer Jones named as his successor, signaling a major transition for the program.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1960 season to Oklahoma’s peak years highlights the program’s decline in performance and national influence.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Head Coach
1956	10–1	6–0	Won Orange Bowl (40–14 vs. Maryland)	Bud Wilkinson
1957	10–1	6–0	Won AP National Title	Bud Wilkinson
1959	8–3	5–1	Won Bluebonnet Bowl (14–0 vs. LSU)	Bud Wilkinson
1960	6–4	4–2	Lost Orange Bowl (14–0 to LSU)	Bud Wilkinson
1961	5–5	4–3	No Bowl	Gomer Jones

The table illustrates a clear downward trend from the dominant mid-1950s to the early 1960s. While the 1960 season wasn’t the worst in program history, it marked the end of an era defined by national championships and consistent excellence. The loss to LSU in the Orange Bowl underscored the growing parity in college football and the challenges Oklahoma faced in maintaining its elite status.

Why It Matters

The 1960 Oklahoma Sooners season is historically significant as the final chapter of one of college football’s greatest dynasties. It symbolized the end of Bud Wilkinson’s era and the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the Sooners.

Legacy of Wilkinson: Bud Wilkinson’s resignation ended a 17-year reign that included a 47-game winning streak and three national championships, making his departure a landmark moment.
Program Transition: The shift to Gomer Jones marked the first major coaching change in decades, forcing the team to adapt to new leadership and strategies.
Competitive Shift: The rise of teams like LSU and Missouri signaled a broader realignment in college football power, reducing Oklahoma’s dominance in the Southwest.
Bowl Game Evolution: The Orange Bowl loss highlighted the increasing competitiveness of postseason games, where regional powerhouses began to challenge traditional elites.
Statistical Decline: With only 161.2 passing yards per game, the offense lagged behind emerging pass-oriented teams, indicating a need for modernization.
Cultural Impact: The end of Wilkinson’s era prompted national reflection on coaching legacies and the cyclical nature of success in college sports.

The 1960 season, while not statistically dominant, remains a pivotal moment in Oklahoma football history. It serves as a reminder that even the most powerful programs experience transitions, and it set the stage for future rebuilding efforts that would eventually restore the Sooners to national prominence.