Taliaferro Hired As Oklahoma Assistant

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oronde Taliaferro, a former recruiting coordinator for Stan Heath at Arkansas, was hired as an assistant basketball coach at Oklahoma on Tuesday.<br/><br/>Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel

Tuesday, May 1st 2007, 7:19 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oronde Taliaferro, a former recruiting coordinator for Stan Heath at Arkansas, was hired as an assistant basketball coach at Oklahoma on Tuesday.

Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said Taliaferro brought recruiting expertise in key areas such as Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Chicago.

"He's a very good recruiter because of a tireless work ethic and a strong ability to communicate. But he's also very respected as a coach," Capel said. "So, in Oronde, we're getting a great recruiter and a great teacher."

Taliaferro, 35, fills a position opened when Rod Barnes was hired as Georgia State's head coach in March.

Taliaferro said he has visited Oklahoma City several times for family reunions. His father was born in Oklahoma City.

"I've always been a Sooner fan and so I'm really happy to be here," Taliaferro said.

Taliaferro spent one season on Heath's staff at Kent State and stayed with him through five years at Arkansas. He formerly won a state basketball championship as the coach at Detroit Central High School, where one of his prominent players was San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.