Here's the press release:
Oklahoma assistant C.J. Ah You named to Vanderbilt staff; Accepts Commodore defensive line positionUniversity of Oklahoma defensive assistant C.J. Ah You is joining the Commodores as defensive line coach, Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason announced today.
Ah You served on the Oklahoma staff for the last two years. In 2015, Ah You assisted with an Oklahoma squad that finished 11-2, captured the Big 12 Conference championship, and played in the College Football Playoff national semifinals. The Sooners’ season was highlighted by regular season victories over Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State and Tennessee.
“C.J. brings a lot of energy, enthusiasm, passion and knowledge to the job. He’s going to be an outstanding addition to our coaching staff,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason said. “C.J. is one of those impressive young guys in our profession whose name keeps coming up in conversations. I believe C.J. will be a strong recruiter for our program and great leader for our D-line corps.”
This season, Ah You assisted Oklahoma defensive line coach Diron Reynolds, who worked alongside Mason as a defensive staffer with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.
Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops praised Ah You, who initially played for him in Norman, then joined the Sooner staff as a quality control assistant focusing on defense and special teams.
“First and foremost, Vanderbilt is getting a great person in C.J. All of his former teammates and all of our current staff love and respect him,” Stoops said. “C.J. was a great player for us and a valuable member of our staff who has tremendous knowledge of the game and relates so well with players. He’s got a bright future in the coaching world.”
The 2015 Oklahoma defense played an important role in the Sooners’ team success. The Sooner pass rush ranked sixth nationally with 40 quarterback sacks and helped produce 20 interceptions, eighth most in the NCAA. The unit was dominant against Big 12 competition, ranking among the conference leaders in scoring defense, total defense, defensive pass efficiency, sacks, interceptions and first downs allowed.
Anchoring the 2015 Sooner defense was senior defensive lineman Charles Tapper. A first team All-Big 12 selection from the Associated Press, Tapper registered seven quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles. He has been invited to play in the 2016 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Tapper’s defensive line teammate Charles Walker, also garnered All-Big 12 recognition this year.
A native of Southern California, Ah You was a two-year standout on the defensive front for the University of Oklahoma from 2005-06, helping the Sooners to a 19-7 overall record, the 2006 Big 12 title, and an appearance in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. He also served as the Sooners’ defensive captain in 2006.
Ah You started 25 games for the Sooners at defensive end. As a senior in 2006, he earned first team All-Big 12 honors after contributing 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. He also was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior in Norman after registering 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Selected by Buffalo in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Ah You eventually was a member of the St. Louis Rams from 2007-12. Though troubled by leg injuries during his NFL career, Ah You saw action in 33 games over three seasons as a pass-rush specialist, contributing six sacks among 41 tackles.
New England Patriots defensive line coach Brendan Daly tutored Ah You as a member of the Rams’ defensive staff.
“C.J. epitomized everything that a coach wishes for in a player – smart, tough, and a phenomenal work ethic,” Daly said. “He was a relentless competitor who sacrificed what was best for him as an individual and put the team first at all times. It is no surprise that C.J. has turned himself into an outstanding coach who will bring tremendous experience and leadership to the Vanderbilt football program.”
Ah You worked closely with several charities as an NFL player, including The United Way and Red Cross and the National Breast Cancer Foundation among others.
Ah You completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oklahoma in 2006.
Ah You and his wife Chynea are the parents of three daughters: Makiah, Atiana and Alei’a.
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Oklahoma assistant C.J. Ah You named to Vanderbilt staff; Accepts Commodore defensive line positionUniversity of Oklahoma defensive assistant C.J. Ah You is joining the Commodores as defensive line coach, Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason announced today.
Ah You served on the Oklahoma staff for the last two years. In 2015, Ah You assisted with an Oklahoma squad that finished 11-2, captured the Big 12 Conference championship, and played in the College Football Playoff national semifinals. The Sooners’ season was highlighted by regular season victories over Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State and Tennessee.
“C.J. brings a lot of energy, enthusiasm, passion and knowledge to the job. He’s going to be an outstanding addition to our coaching staff,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason said. “C.J. is one of those impressive young guys in our profession whose name keeps coming up in conversations. I believe C.J. will be a strong recruiter for our program and great leader for our D-line corps.”
This season, Ah You assisted Oklahoma defensive line coach Diron Reynolds, who worked alongside Mason as a defensive staffer with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.
Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops praised Ah You, who initially played for him in Norman, then joined the Sooner staff as a quality control assistant focusing on defense and special teams.
“First and foremost, Vanderbilt is getting a great person in C.J. All of his former teammates and all of our current staff love and respect him,” Stoops said. “C.J. was a great player for us and a valuable member of our staff who has tremendous knowledge of the game and relates so well with players. He’s got a bright future in the coaching world.”
The 2015 Oklahoma defense played an important role in the Sooners’ team success. The Sooner pass rush ranked sixth nationally with 40 quarterback sacks and helped produce 20 interceptions, eighth most in the NCAA. The unit was dominant against Big 12 competition, ranking among the conference leaders in scoring defense, total defense, defensive pass efficiency, sacks, interceptions and first downs allowed.
Anchoring the 2015 Sooner defense was senior defensive lineman Charles Tapper. A first team All-Big 12 selection from the Associated Press, Tapper registered seven quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles. He has been invited to play in the 2016 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Tapper’s defensive line teammate Charles Walker, also garnered All-Big 12 recognition this year.
A native of Southern California, Ah You was a two-year standout on the defensive front for the University of Oklahoma from 2005-06, helping the Sooners to a 19-7 overall record, the 2006 Big 12 title, and an appearance in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. He also served as the Sooners’ defensive captain in 2006.
Ah You started 25 games for the Sooners at defensive end. As a senior in 2006, he earned first team All-Big 12 honors after contributing 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. He also was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior in Norman after registering 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Selected by Buffalo in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Ah You eventually was a member of the St. Louis Rams from 2007-12. Though troubled by leg injuries during his NFL career, Ah You saw action in 33 games over three seasons as a pass-rush specialist, contributing six sacks among 41 tackles.
New England Patriots defensive line coach Brendan Daly tutored Ah You as a member of the Rams’ defensive staff.
“C.J. epitomized everything that a coach wishes for in a player – smart, tough, and a phenomenal work ethic,” Daly said. “He was a relentless competitor who sacrificed what was best for him as an individual and put the team first at all times. It is no surprise that C.J. has turned himself into an outstanding coach who will bring tremendous experience and leadership to the Vanderbilt football program.”
Ah You worked closely with several charities as an NFL player, including The United Way and Red Cross and the National Breast Cancer Foundation among others.
Ah You completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oklahoma in 2006.
Ah You and his wife Chynea are the parents of three daughters: Makiah, Atiana and Alei’a.
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