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Stoops debunks Irish buzz yet again
OU coach stands by his claim that he will be the coach at OU next season.

Stoops
 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 12/1/2009  2:26 AM
Last Modified: 12/1/2009  4:28 AM

 Internet reports came like raindrops in a monsoon. And yet Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops stood firm, like one of those soaked-to-the-bone weathermen defying the storm's fury.

Stoops-to-Notre Dame, it seems, was coming in from all angles, and it didn't stop. But during a conference call with OU beat writers on Monday, and later in a text-message conversation, Stoops did his best to quell all rumors and reports.

"I fully intend to be at Oklahoma," Stoops said, "and hopefully for a good while."

One reporter suggested Stoops was ironing out details with Notre Dame even though four hours earlier, he said he wasn't.

In a statement e-mailed by the university around 8 p.m. Monday, Stoops said, "I stand by the comments that I made earlier today. I will be at Oklahoma. Any reporting to the contrary is completely unfounded."

Earlier in the day, as word spread of Charlie Weis' imminent firing, a Notre Dame fan Web site even reported that Stoops and Notre Dame had agreed in principle on a contract.

"What I'm saying," Stoops reiterated during his press conference, "is that I will be at Oklahoma next year. So I can't be in two places at once."

Stoops was placed in Colorado Springs, Atlanta and even South Bend, Ind., the home of the Fighting Irish, to interview for the post vacated Monday night by Weis' dismissal after five seasons. Another report had Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick in Norman to interview Stoops.

In reality, Stoops was in Norman Monday, first hosting an impromptu teleconference with reporters, then meeting with his team. He taped his coaches show on Sunday afternoon and reportedly was seen at the Oklahoma City Thunder home game on Sunday night. He is expected to attend his grandmother's funeral on Tuesday morning in Youngstown, Ohio, and likely will be back on the recruiting trail immediately afterward.

During a press conference to announce Weis' firing, Swarbrick said he has not contacted any candidates yet.

As late as Monday night, ESPN's Adam Schefter, who covers the NFL, said on his Twitter account that he was "going outside (his) comfort zone here, but credible people (are) saying today they believe Bob Stoops will wind up coaching at Notre Dame next season."

Schefter also said during the network's "Monday Night Countdown" program that "word sweeping the coaching circles today is that Notre Dame is interested in Bob Stoops and the interest is mutual. Even though he's got a contract at Oklahoma that runs through 2015 and even though he said today he intends to be at Oklahoma next season.

"On Sunday," Schefter said, "there was a meeting scheduled between a search firm representing Notre Dame and Bob Stoops' representative. We don't know whether that meeting actually ever happened. But the word around the NFL is that they believe that Bob Stoops will wind up at Notre Dame, and he's the leader in the clubhouse if they can get all the details ironed out."

When the Tulsa World contacted Stoops via text message Monday night about ESPN's report, Stoops replied, "You should know everything reported isn't true."

When asked if his statements during the afternoon teleconference should be believed, Stoops replied, "You should, if you do know me. I don't lie."

Asked directly during his teleconference if he can confirm that he or his representatives have or have not had contact with Notre Dame, Stoops said, "What I'm saying is I intend to be at Oklahoma. That's the only place that right now that, yes, (is) what I'm looking to do. I will never confirm or deny whether I talk or (do) not talk to anybody. And I will not be interviewing for any jobs.

"If Joe (Castiglione, OU's athletic director) will still have me, and President (David) Boren, that's what I'm gonna do."

In the past few days, the Chicago Sun-Times, the South Bend Tribune and the Chicago Tribune all — citing sources in or close to the Notre Dame program — have identified Stoops as the Fighting Irish's No. 1 candidate.

"You never know what the Good Lord brings you," Stoops said, "but in the end, I couldn't be more excited about — even through a tough year — the good quality kids we're working with, the good quality people here we work with daily and our administration."

The Sooners finished 7-5 this season, the program's worst regular-season record in 11 years under Stoops. OU's offense set multiple NCAA records in 2008 — a season in which Stoops guided the team to its fourth Bowl Championship Series national title game — but this season's injuries, starting with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford, gutted an offense already thin from graduation.

OU's current recruiting class is ranked No. 1 nationally by Scout.com and No. 6 by Rivals.com. Recruiting may be what motivated Stoops to set up Monday's 2 p.m. conference call. Stoops hasn't participated in any of OU's Sunday afternoon conference calls this season, and he hasn't ever conducted a teleconference after a regular-season finale. But refuting Notre Dame rumors would likely help settle any anxieties recruits may have.

"I can't help all that's said," Stoops said. "But in the end, the players I'm recruiting understand what I'm excited about and what I intend to do. I can't help what's said, but again, I couldn't be more excited and more pleased about what we've been doing here and what the future holds."

In June, Stoops, 49, received a raise and a contract extension through Dec. 31, 2015, that will pay him $30.125 million. On Oct. 1, Stoops received a $700,000 annual "stay" bonus, boosting his 2009 salary to $3.675 million. In 2011, he'll make $4.875 million, before incentives.

Stoops is 116-29 (.800) in 11 seasons at OU. Stoops is the only coach to take his team to four BCS title games, though he's lost three in a row after winning the 2000 title. He's also the only coach to play in all four BCS games (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta) and the BCS title game. Stoops also owns six Big 12 titles. No other program has won more than two.

"What I'm saying is I couldn't be more happy or pleased with what we're doing here," Stoops said. "And again, I'm not confirming or denying anything about Notre Dame or any other job. My point is, this is what I love doing right now."

World Sports Writer Dave Sittler contributed to this report.

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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93 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Stoops denies ESPN report linking him to Notre Dame," which was published on 11/30/2009.
Report Comment
get to the CHOPPA! , Broken Arrow (11/30/2009 2:17:25 PM)
I'm glad to heat that. Stay in Norman and continue your great coaching career.
Report Comment
terryf, (11/30/2009 2:19:47 PM)
Stoops is a class a class act and we are fortunate to have him and the rest of our coaches. Looking forward to 2010 season!
Report Comment
beau3985, Tulsa (11/30/2009 2:21:57 PM)
Well, HE may intend to be there a long while, but another season or two like this and his his intentions won't matter anymore.
Report Comment
DieHardSoonerFan82, Beggs (11/30/2009 2:22:41 PM)
Im glad to hear this. Stoops is a great coach and this year was just a bad year we will be back. Stoops will be here for a while.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/30/2009 2:28:13 PM)
beau is gesteing again.

BOOMER SOONER!!
Report Comment
osupokie, Tulsa (11/30/2009 2:31:00 PM)
Yea, glad to hear it. But, you can not believe anything anyone says until ND announces their head coach.
Report Comment
sooner by me, (11/30/2009 2:32:51 PM)
boy i hope he stays here hes a great coach and i think we are in the verge of some beutiful football. but if he is lyin or changes his mind kevin summlin or jon gruden would be the best options
Report Comment
junkman, Tulsa (11/30/2009 2:33:50 PM)
He has nothing to gain going to ND....I hope his word is good.

Boomer Sooner !!!!!!!!
Report Comment
DieHardSoonerFan82, Beggs (11/30/2009 2:34:15 PM)
Ya i agree with you sooner by me i thihk summlin would be a great fit or even Mike Stoops
Report Comment
forkandknife, Tulsa (11/30/2009 2:34:26 PM)
Just because he had one bad season, everyone thinks he is going to leave? He is a Sooner. Not a Aggie, or a Gator. He pretty much bleeds OU. lol

Best of luck next year coach!
Report Comment
Paperjunkie#1, (11/30/2009 2:34:45 PM)
OU will never fire Stoops. Who would we get that's better than him? No one.
Report Comment
DieHardSoonerFan82, Beggs (11/30/2009 2:35:40 PM)
Stoops is not going any where he loves it here. His wife and kids loves it here. He says it every year. But the media always wants him to go they start this rummors
Report Comment
Loki, Broken Arrow (11/30/2009 2:41:00 PM)
Leave OU to resuscitate a Notre Dame program that is almost as bad as OU was when he got here? I don't see the appeal.
Report Comment
tulsandn, out in the woods (11/30/2009 2:42:53 PM)
Maybe someone can convince ND to take a chance on the OC who constructed & coached the highest scoring offense in college football history....
Report Comment
Unbiasedfan0315, (11/30/2009 2:46:52 PM)
This sounds very similar to what Roy Williams said to his KU basketball team a few years ago. One week later, he was the new head coach at North Carolina...........
Report Comment
TK1, (11/30/2009 2:56:12 PM)
I think Les Miles said the same thing right before he left, but also believe that Stoops has a ton more credibility than Miles.
Report Comment
terryf, (11/30/2009 2:58:05 PM)
Notre Dame SHOULD go for
Chris Peterson - Boise State....
Report Comment
BMRSNR, (11/30/2009 2:59:56 PM)
I hope he stays but the key words in all his comments are "intend" and "right now". We all know that Bob NEVER answers a question directly, regardless of the subject. We all know that's coach speak and that could/might change next week. Then he wouldn't be lying since he was telling the truth that he had "intended" to stay. He will leave eventually, just hope it's many years down the road. Anyone who would want Bob gone is a complete idiot. Boomer Sooner!
Report Comment
Accidental Tourist, Mannford (11/30/2009 3:00:38 PM)
For Notre Dame supporters....I'M so sorry your Christmas wishes
did not come true. A wish list does NOT mean SOMEONE is Hired! Keep looking...maybe Tommy Tubberville is available!
Report Comment
orly, Tulsa (11/30/2009 3:25:30 PM)
Cant imagine why he would leave, or why OU would get rid of him, but his wording was not near as concrete as they seem to be implying.
Report Comment
SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (11/30/2009 3:35:18 PM)
"I’m not confirming or denying anything about Notre Dame or any other job. My point is this is what I love doing right now.”

Bob you're great, but if you're going to stay, then SAY it! "Confirm" that you are staying with OU and "deny" that contract offer from ND.

I think ND should go after Gus Malzahn.
Report Comment
Former gcane, Raleigh (11/30/2009 3:45:24 PM)
SoonerDJ: As Notre Dame has already found out, a "brilliant offensive mind" does not translate to a brilliant head coach. See Charlie Weis. By the way, what makes you think that he is qualified to be a head coach, especially at Notre Dame?
Report Comment
DomoArrigato, Outside of Tulsa (11/30/2009 3:48:53 PM)
Hey ! Hey, Notre Dame ! I'm available and should be able to coach you to more wins than you achieved under George O'Leary.
Report Comment
Ron B, (11/30/2009 3:52:34 PM)
Notre Dame has gone a long way down; they will have trouble finding a good coach. It couldn't happen to a more deserving team; they used to be the darlings of the media. Now, the NBC network is stuck with a second rate team.
Report Comment
SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (11/30/2009 3:54:12 PM)
Former gcane: I don't know if he would be a head coach. I don't care if he got the ND job or the Virginia or Marshall gig. I want to see him with the reigns of a program and what he can do.
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