On a day he was hailed by the Oklahoma legislature, former Sooners coach Bob Stoops delivered a campaign-style speech reassuring fans following the departure of coach Lincoln Riley.
“Lincoln Riley didn’t invent OU football,” said Bob Stoops when honored Tuesday with a resolution celebrating “a career in service to the Oklahoma community and success with the OU football program.”
Stoops was Oklahoma’s head coach for 18 years before handing the keys to his offensive coordinator Riley, who left Norman after five seasons for USC. Riley was replaced by another former Stoops assistant at Brent Venables.
“Brent was an important part of [Oklahoma’s undefeated 2000 season]’ Stoops said. “He was with us 13 years and then went to Clemson for 10 years where they had such a big re-promotion – not a re-promotion they came out of nowhere – to become one of the premier teams in the country. He has all the experience in the world. I don’t need to tell you about his passion and energy. It seeps out everywhere and infects everyone.”
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Stoops credited Bud Wilkinson, who arrived in 1947, for laying the foundation for one of college football’s most celebrated programs.
“Bud Wilkinson created this coach’s monster [Barry] Switzer always referenced that and I had to deal with that for 18 years,” Stoops said. “And it’s a monster. But I loved it. I’m lucky to be able to be in Oklahoma all these years – 18 years as a head coach – and luckily they kept me here for a while so I can step in at moments like this. Hopefully we don’t have more.”
Stoops stepped in immediately after Riley’s retirement and coached the Sooners to a 47-32 win over Oregon at the Valero Alamo Bowl. Stoops’ emergency coaching job was one of many things he was recognized for Tuesday.
He said pulling himself back to the sidelines wasn’t hard, especially since he received the call from athletic director Joe Castiglione and president Joe Harroz while he was on the golf course.
“I got way too much credit for it,” Stoops said. “I didn’t golf that well that day so it was easy to leave the course.”
He said he immediately set to work to calm the shocked Sooners’ emotions.
“My first mission was to remind everyone — players, community, everyone at the varsity — Lincoln Riley didn’t invent OU football, okay?” Stoops said, to an audible acclaim from some lawmakers. “Everyone needed a wake-up call because they kind of thought he did.”
Tuesday’s resolution honored Stoops for his coaching career, including being the only coach in the BCS era to win the Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowls, as well as the national championship. He coached the Sooners to more wins than any other Power 5 program during his 18-year tenure. It cited his 101-9 home record, the 37 All-America players and 79 draft picks he coached, including two Heisman Trophy winners.
Stoops was also praised for his charity work and working with patients in children’s hospitals “to immerse them in the Sooner football experience”.
Stoops, with Harroz alongside him and OU spirit commando and mascot Boomer attending OU Day in Legislature, also took the opportunity to do a little politics of his own and lobby for more funding for the university.
“Please keep sending it to us in a positive way if you wish,” he said.
He ended his speech feeling more confident about the future of the football program.
“I promise you we’re in great, great hands and I’m really positive about the future,” he said. “I love the state of Oklahoma. Boomer,” he said, as members of the House replied, “Rather!”