Tulsa A.D. Thinks Football Can Shine Again

Originally Published: Apr 20, 2010 8:34 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Bubba Cunningham watched through the rain as the Golden Hurricane football team battled with each other for bragging rights in last Saturday’s spring game. The offense won 39-32, and Tulsa’s athletic director came away happy with the team’s performance.

“It think we have as many athletes as we’ve ever had,” said Cunningham. “I think our future is very bright. We’re very excited about the fall.”

Maybe more than any other man, Cunningham is behind the emergence of Tulsa football on the national stage in recent years. He helped orchestrate national television appearances, additional facilities and uniform upgrades.

Always watching with a critical eye, Cunningham seems to think that 2009 was a hiccup in an otherwise very successful half-decade on the Tulsa gridiron. Despite that down year, his expectations haven’t changed for the program.

“We were a little, obviously, disappointed in last year’s team, but I think the enthusiasm is there, and, as usual, Todd (Graham)’s as optimistic as can be,” said Cunningham. “I think our schedule is challenging. Should we go 14-0, we have a great chance to be in a BCS game.”

Cunningham also admitted that watching the Golden Hurricane’s performance in the spring game cemented the fact that Chad Morris’ hiring was a good move for the future of the program. Tulsa’s new offensive coordinator helped the offense to over 180 yards rushing in the team’s final scrimmage.

Tulsa opens the regular season on national television, September 5th at Conference USA foe, and two-time defending league champion, East Carolina.