Ex-Sooner Smith might join broadcast team

By Scott Wright

Published: August 11, 2007

NORMAN — Former Oklahoma tight end Trent Smith is being considered to replace local sportscaster Mark Rodgers as the sideline reporter on Sooner football radio broadcasts.

Smith said Friday that he hasn't been "100 percent offered the job,” but expects OU to make a decision as early as next week.

"I've talked to them about it,” said Smith, who lives in Yukon and runs Sooner Medical Staffing. "I was just flattered to be considered.”

Smith has worked in local radio at different times since finishing his playing career at OU in 2002.

Kenny Mossman, OU's senior associate athletics director in charge of communications, said nothing has been finalized.

"Our multimedia rights holder, Sooner Sports Properties, is working through its broadcast arrangements for the upcoming school year,” Mossman said. "Once those plans are finalized we will announce them.”

While at OU, he was known as a player who spoke his mind with the media, occasionally saying things coaches likely frowned on. He once said, "Orange makes me puke,” referring to the Sooners' top rivals, Texas and Oklahoma State.

Rodgers, who had been the sideline reporter for the last five seasons, confirmed Friday that he will not return.

He said his job as a sports talk-show host on WWLS radio, owned by Citadel Communications, might have become a sticking point. Citadel and its variety of stations compete directly with Renda Broadcasting, which owns KRXO, the Sooners' flagship station.

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