Bob Stoops All For Assistants Receiving Head Coaching Opportunities


Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops has had seven assistants leave for head coaching jobs, and he is all for them receiving the opportunity.


Bob Stoops has been in the coaching business since 1983, including the last 18 years as a head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners, so he has seen and dealt with most everything in the business.

His assistant coaches interviewing for head positions at other schools is one of them, and something that Stoops knows he will always deal with.

“I’m all for it,” Stoops told Campus Insiders. “It’s just a part of our business.”

During his time at Oklahoma, seven of Stoops’ assistants have gone on to become head coaches, including Mike Leach, Kevin Sumlin, and his brother, Mike Stoops. While the former assistants have had varying levels of success at their respective schools, the lure of hiring someone that has worked under Stoops, who at Oklahoma has run up a 188-48 record, 10 Big 12 titles, and the 2000 BCS National Championship, is a big factor for athletic directors.

“When you’re doing really well people want your coaches, and that’s good.”

With the coaching carousel currently spinning wildly in college football, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another one of Stoops’ assistants, Lincoln Riley, get some calls from other schools inquiring about his interest level. Riley’s name has already come up regarding the open Oregon position, and if he decides to move on, Stoops will be cheering him on.

“We’re all professionals. It comes with the territory … I’m all for it.”

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