Jack Mildren

A defense stumper for two decades, the Wishbone was pioneered by the gritty but brainy University of Oklahoma quarterback, Jack Mildren.

Introduced by OU in 1970 by Mildren's mentor/coach Barry Switzer, success of "The Bone" pivoted on a quarterback with a rare combination of quickness, strength, and intelligence. Posting a mediocre 6-4 record in Mildren's sophomore year and off to a 3-3 start in 1970, Switzer's Sooners adopted the option formation. They quickly turned the season around, going 4-1-1 after the gutsy switch.

Mildren set records in his 1971 senior season that still stand today. The Sooners posted an 11-1 record, with the Wishbone averaging a remarkable 472.4 yards rushing per game. Mildren's records for most rushing yards in a season (1,140; 1971), most career touchdown passes (25), and season passing efficiency (209.0;1971) remain unmatched. That same season, OU almost clinched the national title in a 35-31 loss against Nebraska.

He was named both All-American quarterback and Academic All-American his senior season. He was also named the 1972 Sugar Bowl MVP after the Sooners 40-22 victory over Auburn.

Mildren joined the ranks of the pros for three seasons, playing defensive back for the Baltimore Colts and the New England Patriots. The Texas native had simultaneously worked as Vice President of Saxon Oil Co., and in 1975 returned to Oklahoma full time. He founded Regency Exploration, Inc., after leaving Saxon in 1978 and later sold his business to a Fortune 500 subsidiary for a seven figure amount.

In 1990, he became the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma and served on the National Lieutenant Governor's Executive committee. He was inducted into the GTE Academic All-American Hall of Fame, joining Tulsa's Howard Twilley and fellow Sooner Lee Roy Selmon.

Larry Jack Mildren, Jr. was born in October, 1949 in Kingsville, Texas, and graduated from Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas in 1968.