Baylor hires former Texas DT Frank Okam as DL coach

The coaching career of former Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Frank Okam is on the rise after the Baylor Bears announced on Wednesday that the former Rice Owls defensive line coach now holds the same position in Waco.

“Frank is a living embodiment of everything the young men in our program should want to accomplish,” Rhule said in a statement released by the school. “He’s a college graduate, an All-American, a Big 12 champion, a national champion, a NFL draft pick and then he continued life after football earning his master’s degree from Rice and is now one of the top young football coaches in the country.

”We are excited to have Coach Okam on staff and for him to mentor our defensive line group and help take them to the next level.”

Okam won a national championship with Texas in 2005 and also earned All-American honors before playing six seasons in the NFL.

While getting his master’s degree from Rice, he served as a graduate assistant before joining the coaching staff as the defensive line coach in 2015. Last year, defensive end Brian Womac set a school record with 22 total for loss, while defensive tackle Roe Wilkins had 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

“For me this has been a great experience,” Okam said. “Personally, having the chance to come to a school like Baylor in the Big 12 is really exciting for myself and my career. I want to thank Coach Rhule for the opportunity he has given me and this chance to take the next step in my career.

”Working with Coach [Phil] Snow and the rest of the defensive staff has been great. They have taken me under their wing to teach me the system and help me get comfortable with the players so that when we hit spring ball, we are ready to go.”