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'I still have some Gator in me.'
Sooners coach Bob Stoops left his mark on Florida football

Bob Stoops helped Florida win a national championship in 1996 as the Gators' defensive coordinator before coming to Oklahoma to win another title. Courtesy/The Gainesville Sun

 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 12/28/2008  2:24 AM
Last Modified: 12/28/2008  3:33 AM

 NORMAN — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops showed up for the first BCS National Championship Game press conference a couple of weeks ago and told a Gainesville, Fla., columnist, "I still have some Gator in me."

Never mind the looming showdown between the Sooners and Florida, this is perfectly understandable. Stoops became the Gators' defensive coordinator in early 1996, when Steve Spurrier was licking the wounds Nebraska had just caused in a 62-24 national championship beating.

At least Spurrier's ego survived intact. He saw all the three-and-outs Stoops' defenses were forcing at Kansas State at the time, lured the 35-year-old shooting star from Bill Snyder, and famously said, "You know what that means? It means more ball plays for Stevie Boy."

So Stoops took over Florida's defense. Forty-eight sacks, 85 lost-yardage tackles, 14 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and six defensive touchdowns later, the Gators were '96 national champs.

Stoops stayed another two years. He showcased the same teaching and motivational skill that he would soon apply as a head coach. His defenses wrecked more shop. Florida won 20 more games, and OU's job offer followed.

Now, a decade later, he renews those acquaintances.

He's sure to discover the Gators still have some Stoops in them:

James Bates, middle linebacker and Florida captain in '96: "We didn't know much about him when he came to town, but we found out in a hurry."

Lawrence Wright, Florida's Thorpe Award-winning safety in '96: "When he first got there, we were all used to having fun in practice. We'd get some interceptions that first spring, and start flea-flicking the ball to each other to try to score. Coach Stoops saw that and screamed, 'I don't wanna see that anymore! Understand?' We were like, 'Yes, Coach.' The very next play, I got an interception. I was running it back and somebody tackled me, so I flipped it to (cornerback) Fred Weary. Coach went off. Made us run after practice. He was like, 'Is this what I'm gonna have to get used to?'"

Fred Weary, Florida's All-American cornerback in '97: "He was exactly what we needed, an energetic guy that demanded respect."

Wright: "He wanted everything perfect. If you didn't do it perfect, we'd do it over until it was perfect."

Shea Showers, Florida safety in '96: "Lawrence and I being safeties, coach Stoops would grade us the hardest. The South Carolina game our senior year, we graded out a negative-99. We were like, 'Coach, you're killin' us! We won the game, didn't we?' He'd slow-click the film and show us the wrong checks and the wrong fits, say, 'You know how I wanted it done.' Even today, me and Lawrence laugh about that when we see each other. But you know what? Our next league game was against Alabama in the SEC championship. And we eliminated those mistakes."

Demetric Jackson, Florida defensive back in '96: "The telltale sign we had something special was with other coordinators. Coach Spurrier was always in the meeting room saying, 'Coach, what you gonna do this week?' We were like, 'Wow, who's running the show?' With Stoops, he never came into the meeting room."

Bates: "You could tell from the very beginning it was coach Stoops' defense. Spurrier let him go. He had full run."

Wright: "Here was this little guy, but he was so tough. I loved that about him. It was, 'Play man coverage and hit him 'em in the face. They'll catch the ball every now and then, but we're gonna hit 'em in the mouth. Wanna play on a beach? The parking lot? Line up the stripes and let's play.' That was the attitude and toughness about him."

Weary: "Before coach Stoops got there, it seemed like our corners were, like, 12 yards off the receivers. I knew that was over the first spring practice. I go line up against Reidel Anthony, give him the usual cushion, and Stoops starts yelling, 'Fred! What you doin'? Get up on him!' I was like, 'Uh, that's Reidel Anthony.' I started walking up toward him, then I heard, 'No Fred, get up ooon him! If I can play against Mike Rozier as a 180-pound strong safety, you can take that guy!' I was practically on the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped."

Jackson: "At the SEC championship game in '96, I blew a big coverage. Stoops chewed me out good, really got on my butt. After that, we're getting ready to play for the national championship and I was like, 'Man, I'm not gonna get to see the field.' But coach Stoops came back and put a blitz package in for me, something Florida State didn't expect. It was a huge part of the success we had in that game. I remember thinking, 'Here's a guy that trusted me enough to give me another chance.'"

Showers: "He was a real approachable guy, and he understood. If you needed extra work, he was willing to stay with you. If you wanted to come in early, he had the video room set up for you. Any questions he'd answer. Anything to help the team win and make sure we were on the same page."

Weary: "He left his corners on an island, but it was because he knew we could handle it. Or he made us believe we could handle it. He was always like, 'OK, Fred, we're gonna go with these blitz packages and these pressures and just roll with you in coverage. Alright?'"

Bates: "It was just a matter of time, him being a head coach. Just the way he carried himself. He'd be on the practice field twirling his whistle around his fingers like he always did, in total command."

Wright: "He was a great leader. And he understood all the Xs and Os to put us in position to win. And we weren't gonna win, we were gonna win big."

Jackson, now coach at Fort White High School near Gainesville: "To this day, I use some of his signals and terminology."

Showers, now coach at Santa Fe High in Alachua, Fla.: "Some of the fundamentals, footworks, hand placement, things he taught me, I teach my players."

Wright: "Sometimes we'd clash a little bit, and he'd tell 'Schmitty' (Jerry Schmidt, Florida's strength and conditioning coach then and OU's now), 'You better talk to your boy.' I didn't understand then, but I understand now, especially with kids of my own. It wasn't just football, he was trying to teach me discipline. I can't say enough about how he's helped me."

Bates: "I'm proud to have known him and proud to have played for him."

Weary: "I love him. Yep, still do."



Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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6 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
GrannyTazzy, Tulsa (12/28/2008 7:25:16 AM)
well he better get the last of the gator out of him by Jan 8th.
Report Comment
Sharkey Hammerhead, owasso (12/28/2008 11:34:40 AM)
Bob has as much Gator in him as he has wildcat,Hawkeye, and his ohio High scool team.. That is what made Bob ,,Bob.....He`s all in with Sooners now and, want desperetley to win this game not only do the fans need it , the players and the coaching staff needs it as well.. I a little concerned that three sports writers from Okla have picked the Gators to beat our beloved Sooners .. I guess you guys are in love with the Tebow right, Tebow left , and probably why you are picking them Tebow up the middle..Who is going to stop him , Balogun?, is Box ready,? or is Lewis going to slide inside to take the freight train on.?. Who ever is in the middle will take care of Tebow... OU being the underdog works in our favor... Bob play us against the world ... GOoooooooooooo Sooners !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Big Harp, Florida (12/29/2008 12:12:33 AM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!
Report Comment
Bullhead, Nicut (12/29/2008 12:26:13 AM)
Oh yeah, Sharkey. Bob is an Okie now and we're in it to win it.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (12/29/2008 9:54:31 AM)
If Bob Stoops has Gator in him it is because he ate fried gator for lunch.
Report Comment
mgsooner, (12/29/2008 1:08:59 PM)
Mmmm, Arby's.
 

 
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