Stoops Denies Notre Dame Rumors
11/28/2009 7:33:00 PM
NORMAN – Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops quickly shot down rumors that he has an interview set up with Notre Dame.
Several reports surfaced after the Sooners' 27-0 Bedlam victory over Oklahoma State that Irish officials would either fly to Norman sometime Sunday to interview Stoops or fly the OU coach to South Bend, Ind.
Asked in a text if he could confirm or deny the report, even if it was off the record, Stoops' return text to me read: "On the record, I am not (interviewing). First I've heard of this (rumor)."
Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick also denied the Stoops speculation when contacted by the Chicago Tribune while he was attending the Irish's game Saturday at Stanford.
"Anything you hear about a contact with a coach is absolutely wrong," Swarbrick told the Tribune.
As of Saturday night, Notre Dame didn't have a job opening. Speculation is that Irish coach Charlie Weis could get fired as early as Sunday, but Swarbrick said the timetable for the meeting is "undetermined."
Here's one thing to remember: Stoops doesn't do interviews. He believes his track record at OU speaks volumes, and should do all the talking for him to any prospective AD.
As I've stated in recent columns, I don't think Stoops is going anywhere. And I'm not certain Notre Dame would be willing to shell out the millions it would take to even get Stoops to listen.
As competitive as Stoops is, I can't see him walking away from a school that has been extremely loyal to him after his 11th Sooner team has struggled through a mediocre 7-5 season.
Stoops strikes me as the kind of person who would like to leave a job when the cupboards are full and the team is winning big. He's obviously in the midst of a rebuilding job with the Sooners.
And then there's this: As it currently stands, OU is a better job than Notre Dame. It isn't even close. And that won't be changing anytime soon.
Perhaps Irish eyes will be shining on Stoops, but I just can't see it.
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