Coaching the Sooners, Rex Norris produced seven first-team All Americans and helped them reach eight Bowl games.
The next season Norris made the switch from college football to the NFL when took a job at the Detroit Lions (1985–1987).
In 1994, Norris once again made the switch to the NFL, this time with the Denver Broncos, followed by the Tennessee Oilers (1995–1998) and finally the Chicago Bears.
Norris enjoyed a successful period in Chicago in 2001 when his defensive line helped establish a run defense that ranked second in the NFL and first in the National Football Conference (NFC) in rushing yards allowed per game.
Furthermore, the 2001 Chicago Bears only surrendered three runs exceeding 20 yards all season and only six rushing touchdowns.