In what is quickly morphing into one of the Sooners’ darkest hours of recent memory, Oklahoma is turning to a familiar face for at least a temporary calming influence.
Legendary former OU head coach Bob Stoops is back to serve as interim head coach for the Sooners’ bowl game. After a 10-2 regular season in which Oklahoma fell short of qualifying for the Big 12 championship game, Lincoln Riley sent a jolt into the college football world by leaving Norman.
It isn’t Baton Rouge. It’s sunny Los Angeles. USC swung for the fences with Riley and delivered.
The move leaves Oklahoma scrambling here with mere days before the Early Signing Period commences on Dec. 15. Sooner commitments are dropping like flies.
Of course, the larger question is who is the longterm solution as the new head coach in Norman? In the meantime, OU went to its bullpen and called upon Stoops to lead Oklahoma for the time being.
I can confirm Bob Stoops will serve as interim head coach for the #Sooners bowl game. Stoops was in the team meeting during which the players were informed of Riley’s departure https://t.co/KYYMbnqoBZ
— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) November 28, 2021
“First and foremost, I’m a program guy and whatever I can do to help OU and to support the players, of course I’m glad to do it. I’ll do everything I can to help them finish the season in a strong and successful way and I certainly look forward to that. Lincoln did a great job in his five years as head coach here and I appreciate all he did for this program. I’ll always appreciate the close friendship we’ve had and will continue to have. I wish the best for him, Caitlin and their family,” Stoops said in a statement yesterday.
OU president Joseph Harroz noted that Sooner football isn’t defined by one single individual.
“Though we’ve had stars and icons throughout the years, Sooner football isn’t defined by any one individual, but by the excellence we have enjoyed and sustained for generations. Our future is unlimited, and we will undoubtedly find a visionary leader for our next exciting chapter. Until then, we’re fortunate to be in the tremendous hands of Sooner legend Coach Bob Stoops. Boomer!” Harroz said.
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said that Stoops is ready for the opportunity to help bridge this gap for the university.
“Coach Stoops, who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame next week, will serve as our interim head coach. He is looking forward to the opportunity and we certainly appreciate all he has done and continues to do for our athletics department and football program. Our team and players are in great hands under his leadership. When we met with the team today, I communicated to our players that our program is about them. It will always be bigger than any one person. And just as it’s always been, Oklahoma football is positioned for greatness,” Castiglione said.
Stoops stepped down following the 2016 season. After a 1-2 start that year with losses coming against Houston and Ohio State, OU ripped off 10 consecutive wins to finish as Big 12 champions and beat Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.
Baker Mayfield passed for 296 yards and a pair of touchdowns in that Sugar Bowl win over Auburn. Running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine finished with 91 and 86 rushing yards, respectively. Mixon had a pair of rushing touchdowns against Auburn, while Perine found the end zone once.
Oklahoma is set to hold an official press conference today at 3 p.m. where Harroz, Castiglione and Stoops will meet with the media.
If only for one bowl game, Stoops is back in charge of the Crimson and Cream.
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