The latest linking of Stoops to the NFL
Published: 4/28/2010 8:33 AM
Last Modified: 4/28/2010 8:33 AM
One of the columns I read coming out of the NFL draft was about Bob Stoops, and how having three of his Oklahoma players selected in the top four showed what kind of respect he commanded in pro circles. The suggestion was now might not be a bad time for Stoops to consider making the jump, both because of that respect and because 10 years was a long time to be at one place without running some kind of risk.
The 2010 season will mark Stoops' 12th at OU. According to the Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald, the only coaches on a longer run at their current schools are Mack Brown (13th season at Texas), Pat Hill (14th at Fresno State), Larry Blakeney (20th at Troy), Frank Beamer (24th at Virginia Tech), Chris Ault (26th at Nevada) and Joe Paterno (45th at Penn State).
That's it. Just six of them. Jim Leavitt, Stoops' old friend from their days together as Kansas State co-defensive coordinators, would have made it seven, had he not been fired over alleged player mistreatment last December.
This is not to suggest Stoops has gone stale at OU. The only thing last year's 8-5 record signaled was that every coach, no matter how successful, can expect at least one bump in his road every five years.
As far as I can tell, Stoops is as happy at OU as ever, and OU is as happy as ever to have him.
At the same time, I stand by my belief that he'll try the NFL at some point, provided he is offered that chance.
I don't know whether Stoops' run in Norman -- the seventh-longest among 120 Div. I coaches -- has anything to do with a timetable. I just think it's kind of interesting.
I'm also reminded of the laugh Stoops gave a radio interviewer last year when it was suggested he was building a Paterno-like career at OU. His is a 12-year tenure going on 15 or maybe 20, if the Sooners are really lucky. But 12 going on 45?
Can you see Stoops in that visor at the age of 83?
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
