Bob Stoops slam article

[Vito Corleone]

I have no idea who this girl is but she layed the wood on ole Bob. I'm currious how many of you agree with her.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1089 ... he-moniker

Another BCS Championship Game, and another embarrassment for Oklahoma. Yes, the Sooners stayed in the game in the first half, and actually made it interesting for awhile, but like so many of their forays into high-level competition in BCS Bowls, the Sooners' coaching staff was exposed as "not-ready-for-prime-time."

Stoops may be a legend in Norman, but his 0-5 mark in his last five BCS Bowls has cemented his status as a failure.

It's not the talent—he has plenty. It's not the play-calling—oh wait, it is. Again.

Twice in the first half, the Sooners were in the red-zone, and twice walked away with nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zippo.

When you're given a gift (i.e., interception), you don't gamble it way. Take the three and say, "Thank you very much, Mr. Tebow." But Stoops, on two consecutive plays, called a tentative running play, and when that didn't work, called it again, just to make sure the Gators were paying attention. Not only were they paying attention, but they saluted his butt back a few yards.

Sorry, Bob, there are no mulligans in football. The checklist is alarming.

Poor clock management? Check. Questionable timeouts? Check. Conservative playcalling at inappropriate times? Check. Failure to convert on big third down plays? Check, check and check.

Stoops' inability to rally the troops after a miscue has been problematic for some time. This wasn't a fluke. In fact, this performance played out like all of his other performances—a big bang beginning, and complete ineptitude afterward.

In the 2005 Championship against the USC Trojans, the score was 7-7 and both teams were playing fairly even. One muffed punt return by Mark Bradley, and the little wheels of the Sooner Schooner fell off so fast, the Trojans had reeled off 21 straight points before the Sooners knew what hit them. Stoops even admitted that it was a game-changing play. But he hasn't learned from it.

This game against the Gators was more of the same—when his team didn't stop the Gators on a between-the-tackles run, Stoops stomped his feet and threw his headset down on the ground ala Steve Spurrier. Guess what Bob? You're becoming more and more like Spurrier and that's not a compliment. See South Carolina's game against Iowa for proof.

It's frustrating to watch the Sooners implode with dropped pass after dropped pass, but even more frustrating when you consider some of the biggest and baddest plays called can't be blamed on the players. With seconds left in the half and the game tied, Stoops called for a pass play at the goal line in a lot of traffic.

Where's the fade into the corner? There's a much higher completion percentage and less chance of an interception. Instead, the Gators intercepted the ball, and sent the Sooners into the locker room with lots of doubt and frustration and their tails between their legs. The outcome was inevitable.

It's the same old stuff and football fans are tired of it. Flashes of brilliance with tons of mediocrity. You would think by now the Sooners would have a chip on their shoulders as big as Stoops 6 million dollar paycheck—heck, even a disrespected Ohio State team came out on fire against Texas and almost won the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners, on the other hand, got beat by a bunch of sophomores who clearly executed better in the second half. Sophomores.

For all those apologists of Notre Dame or Alabama who hide behind the youth of their team as an excuse for tanking some games, Florida just schooled you. Big time. So sit down, shut up, and quiet those spin machines.

The Florida Gators may not have the best technical quarterback, but Tebow is without a doubt the face of what is so grand about college football. He's the guy you want in a huddle. He's the guy you want to lead you into battle. Bradford may be a beautiful pocket passer and prototype NFL thrower, but give me Tebow anyway. He's the epitome of a winner.

As far as Stoops' future, who knows? Sooners fans can sit and tick off all the Big 12 Championships he has won, all the Red River Rivalries he has won, but honestly, they need a serious reality check if they don't have some lingering doubts in their minds. Moreover, outside Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska, nobody gives a damn anymore. Yes, Stoops has brought the Sooners back into national prominence, but realistically, he has now taken them out of it.

Like Ohio State, there's going to be some serious mulling over Oklahoma next season and where the pollsters place them in the polls. Ask Notre Dame what the repercussions of losing consecutive bowls are. The Sooners stock is falling, and the CEO is to blame.

Stoops is a good coach, great community leader and has a remarkable coaching record. But his bowl performances stink. Stoops has lost five straight BCS Bowls, with a Holiday Bowl win the only thing saving him from a futile 0-6 in the last six years.

The Sooners fans may swear their allegiance to him and point with pride at how he has turned around the Sooners football program, but the "at least we are playing in a BCS Bowl" song is becoming annoying. And tiresome. The Sooners are keeping other quality teams out of a bowl and it's becoming increasingly clear that conference perceptions are whacked.

This was a title game, and the Sooners didn't look anything like a national title contender. Again. The Sooners were out coached. Again. Ask anyone in the nation whether they would take Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops as their coach, and anyone who says "Bob Stoops" is content to never go on to the next level and still believes Al Gore invented the Internet.

Urban Meyer, Pete Carroll and Les Miles are winners. Stoops is a BCS loser.

The truth hurts, but in the end, it's fairly accurate.

"Almost winning" is still a loss. 0-5 is a mess.

With a month to prepare, this nation's highest ranked offense could only produce 14 points against a bunch of underclassmen.

Pathetic performances, not able to game-prep in bowls, and a propensity to sneak through the cracks in the BCS system all add up to one thing- he's lucky as hell he even got to play in the BCS Bowls.

"Big Game" Bob? Not even close. "Big Bust" Bob is more fitting.

Congrats to the Florida Gators, 2008 National Champions.

[The Seer]

If she thinks STOOPS stinks, imagine what HER gash smells like....

[King Crimson]

Ask Notre Dame what the repercussions of losing consecutive bowls are.

huh? wha? that there are none?


edit: it might also be worthwhile to mention to the author that Bob Stoops doesn't call the plays.

[Left Seater]

Ask anyone in the nation whether they would take Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops as their coach, and anyone who says "Bob Stoops" is content to never go on to the next level and still believes Al Gore invented the Internet.

Wait a damn minute. We have been told repeatedly that Cal invented the internet. What is this Gore crap?



Stoops may not call the plays, but he does approve the plays. Any questions about play calling should land at his feet.

[Van]

Ask anyone in the nation whether they would take Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops as their coach, and anyone who says "Bob Stoops" is content to never go on to the next level and still believes Al Gore invented the Internet.

Wait a damn minute. We have been told repeatedly that Cal invented the internet. What is this Gore crap?



Stoops may not call the plays, but he does approve the plays. Any questions about play calling should land at his feet.

I always find it funny when folks have to place blame and point fingers after a loss. As a coach, we try to coach our players into a mindset that you win and lose as a team and that, no matter what happens on the field or who it is that made mistakes, we accept losses as a team. If anyone wants to blame someone for the OU loss, they should blame Florida.

Excellent sentiment but there's just one problem with it, in this instance.

The team isn't being paid $6 million per annum to win BCS bowl games. Bob Stoops is. Like Lefty said, if the play calling is suspect the usual answer is to fire the coordinator who calls those suspect plays. If that doesn't work then ultimately it falls on the guy hiring those coordinators....the guy making $6 mill per year, the guy who's the face of the program.

All that being said, no way in hell I fire Bob Stoops if I'm OU. Regardless of his record in big games he's at least taking OU to big games and that had ceased to be the case in Norman before Stoops arrived on campus.

Now, if Urban Meyer were to suddenly become available and he expressed a solid interest in the OU job (which would obviously never happen, but just for the hypothetical argument) then yeah, if I'm OU I snap up Meyer and I give Stoops a plaque on the wall and an inscription inside the stadium but I also give him his walking papers, without a moment's hesitation.

That's Urban Meyer though. Petey and Urban Meyer are the only two CF coaches in the country I'd take over Stoops, if I were OU. Maybe not even Petey either, simply because I don't know that he'd be a good fit for OU the way he is for USC.

Meyer, though? Definitely. Which makes this all one big moot point. In Bob Stoops OU currently has the best man available for the gig. You'd better have someone lined up who's even better, before you fire the incumbent.

Good luck with that. There isn't anyone available, who's better.

However, OU might just want to consider doing whatever it takes to get Mike Stoops back as their DC. Bribe him, frame him by setting him up with hookers, crack and damning videotape evidence. Pay him one dollar less than big brother...whatever. Get him back as OU's DC. OU's D simply hasn't had their big game mojo ever since Mike took off for the desert.

[Cornhusker]

Exactly.

If you had told OU fans in 1998 that we were going to hire a guy who would appear in four national championship games in 9 years (winning one of them), win six conference championships, and have a winning record against every single team in the Big 12...yeah, we'd take it in a heartbeat.

And I guarandamntee that there's about 110 other programs who'd take it right now as well.

Can't speak for the other 109 programs but I know one that would take it.

[King Crimson]

one series of downs does not equal legitimate concerns about "play calling" in general. Kevin Wilson had about as good a year as an OC/play-caller could have.

personally, while disappointed in the outcome of the game as much as anybody, don't see where all this alarm-ism about Stoops comes from. that was a game that could have turned on a couple plays...it didn't and OU lost. that's sports. i don't see it re-enforcing this pre-made narrative about how Stoops is now a chronic loser. it just demonstrates that we don't even frame "sports" in a language about competition but the only acceptable outcome is "domination" or scapegoat....and sports fans and national writers get a whole heckuva lot smarter when *their* team is done playing and they fire up the internet.

i'm reading articles, and fan board posts, about how OU was so confused on O that they kept looking to the sidelines for "Stoops" to call the play. or better: that OU should have kicked a FG at the end of the first half. "you don't take points off the board"...they say. so, OU is supposed to kick a FG on 3rd down and not try and score a TD with 10 seconds left? some real genius stuff from the same "national sports mind" that is running Stoops. I give Vito and Harv their little dogpile moments....but really?

hard to take anyone serious (those who are driving this "OU=loser train") who's posting or writing acumen includes the BCS game the first time they've obviously seen OU play this year....."looking over to the sidelines" because they were confused on O.

I have no problem with running Chris Brown at the goal-line. he's shown throughout his career that he is very good to better than very good at 1. getting to the firstdown marker after contact in short yardage and 2. has a nose for the end-zone.

edit: Florida won this game converting 3-4 3rd and long situations in their last 2 drives. In many cases OU had the play defended well and UF just executed on the inside pitch or whatever. Tebow's jump pass, same thing. to me, that was the game.

[Van]

Would USC fire Pete so they could hire Urban Meyer? No, don't think so....and neither should OU.

Not the same thing. Pete hasn't lost his last five bowl games like Stoops has, a few of which were outright embarrassments. USC has zero issues with Pete, other than maybe wishing he could've found a way to retain Norm Chow.

Bottom line, Meyer's and Pete's resumes are now becoming fairly even. Stoops' resume is excellent. It's probably the third or fourth best in the country over the last decade, but it's not quite Carroll/Meyer excellent.

OU has the right guy and they should keep him.

Agree, 100%.

Another great season and a BCS win next season will right the ship and eliminate most of the criticism, imo.

Yep. It's that little "BCS win next season" addendum which is getting to be the issue though. Year after year, he keeps losing 'em.

The Braves were smart enough though not to fire Bobby Cox during their run and the Bills didn't fire Marv Levy during their's and OU will undoubtedly be smart enough to keep Stoops.

Like I said earlier, I like Stoops' chances of getting back to the NC game in the future and for winning another title. In fact, I think it would be somewhat foolish to think that it won't happen.

Agreed, again, 100%. He's a Top 5 coach in a Top 5 program. He'll get there again and he'll win it again, if he's there long enough.

I can't argue about Mike Stoops' ability as a DC but I seem to remember that Bobby was a pretty good DC himself, as are all three of the Stoops brothers, with Mark being the least experienced. It was time for Mike to test the waters and spread his wings and I seriously doubt that he'll be looking for a DC job anytime soon.

Agreed, which is why I threw in the joking bribe/frame him/do whatever it takes to get him back stip. I know Mike wouldn't come back again to be a DC, not unless he loses his HC gig first and no other good HC gigs are offered to him.

[FLW Buckeye]

Need a coach? Let me know.

sincerely,
Dick Rod

[War Stoops]

What a steaming pile of shit that article is. Tebow Damn her.

[M Club]

regardless, she did finally explain tebow in a way i can accept:

The Florida Gators may not have the best technical quarterback, but Tebow is without a doubt the face of what is so grand about college football. He's the guy you want in a huddle. He's the guy you want to lead you into battle. Bradford may be a beautiful pocket passer and prototype NFL thrower, but give me Tebow anyway. He's the epitome of a winner.

[Van]

Mace, Pete has come under some criticism of late for these annual conference game brain farts. Absolutely. Such criticism would be a lot louder though if those losses prevented him from winning the Pac 10. They'd reach a crescendo if he also began to get rolled in big games, including bowl games.

You gotta remember though about USC. USC has six main priorities by which they determine their "on the field" football success:

-Beat UCLA
-Beat ND
-Kill everyone they face OOC
-Win the Pac 10
-Win their bowl game
-Win the national title

Pete's failure to win each and every "small game" is only preventing USC from achieving that one final goal every season. Still, he's managed to achieve each of those goals twice already and he's been there less than a full decade. Along the way he routinely achieves all the other goals and obviously he's ended nearly every season with a resounding bang in their bowl games.

He's also given USC a very marketable face for the program. He's just about everything any AD would ever want from a head coach. He's obsessively positive. He's charismatic. He's a hard worker. He's generous with his time. He's extremely well liked in the community. He's extremely well liked by the media. He's probably the single best recruiter in the country.

Moreover, he's put USC back at the top and he's made USC the single most feared big game team in CF.

He's not perfect though, as evidenced by these "small game" lapses. Still, christ, if it weren't for those losses (losses which every BCS conference team in America also suffers every season, same as USC) Pete would be winning national titles nearly every season. That's just plain unrealistic.

Nobody runs the table every year. Nobody. It's rare these days in any BCS conference to see any team run the table. Sure, USC occasionally loses as a heavy favorite but then so does every other heavy favorite out there. USC is a heavy favorite in nearly every game they play so I guess the only acceptable option then for them is to never lose a game?

Not gonna happen. We're talking twenty year old kids here. They're not robots. Kids make mistakes. Kids lose focus. Coaches make mistakes. Refs make mistakes. Footballs take funny hops.

Nobody's perfect. Shit happens.

All favored teams are going to lose a game every so often and yes, by definition, it'll be a loss to a team they should've rolled.

I guess though the bottom line with Pete is that he's perceived as having elevated the program to its highest point. People around the USC program are proud of Pete's teams in big games. You have to win to get to big games, which is the whole Bob Stoops argument, and Pete is winning those big games in style and at a record pace.

Turns out he's about as perfect a fit for SoCal and the USC program as anybody ever could be. His record isn't perfect but it's far better than anyone could've ever imagined when he (or anybody) first took that job.

Here's the kicker: USC's current domination still shows no signs of letting up. This is beginning to get into uncharted waters here.

Their recruiting class this season is again monstrous, including the #1 pro style QB prospect in the country, so no signs of a let up there. If both Tebow and Sanchez come back next year USC will likely be the #2 team in all the pre-season polls. They'll be no worse than #4 and with a win in Columbus they'll likely find themselves ranked #1 again at some point during the season. Their schedule for '09 includes roadies to Columbus, South Bend, Autzen, Strawberry Canyon, Tempe and Seattle. Even the Seattle visit will be a highly hyped game since it'll pit Pete against both Sark and Nick Holt, his OC and DC this past season.

That's one helluva road schedule. It could easily wind up being the toughest road schedule in the country, among BCS conference teams.

Point being, USC will have a clear path to the national title game. They completely control their own destiny; something few other teams can say.

Same ol, same ol', in other words. If USC handles their business next year (which in their case apparently means they have to go undefeated) they'll again find themselves playing in Pasadena in January. It won't be in the Rose Bowl game this time though, it'll be in the title game, likely against either Texas or Florida. If USC gets there they'll be favored and USC's fans will go into such a game fully expecting a victory. Won't matter that Florida will be there with Tebow, or that a VERY clutch Texas team will be there with McCoy.

USC will still be favored to win such a game and USC's fans will still expect to win such a game.

These are USC's annual expectations now. That's all Pete Carroll. So, yeah, while there's growing criticism about those "small game" lapses the big picture is still so intensely bright that Pete remains the much beloved "King Of L.A."

(My apologies for the length of this post. Just seemed like you deserved a thorough and considered response.)

[Left Seater]

Let me be clear. I DO NOT THINK ANYTHING BAD ABOUT STOOPS.

My point was only that if you are going to criticize play calling, it needs to go to the HC and not the OC. The HC is in charge of everything and as such he is ultimately responsible for play calling. The OC can get heat too, but that needs to come from the HC.

[Van]

Well, in defense of OU, they were having major success running behind Loadholt and Robinson on the left side. That's been OU's bread and butter strength all season long, those two monsters on the left side. In fact, they should've ran the ball a lot more than they did against Florida. It was mostly working. They were dominating the right side of Florida's D line. Their O line probably wears down Florida's D line if OU would've simply chosen to beat on Florida all night with the running game.

Also, OU always does that stop and look over to the sidelines thing.

Watching the game though, I was constantly agreeing to myself with the tv color guy who kept talking about OU needing to pick up the pace. He kept mentioning how OU was having success when they snapped the ball quickly and they kept having less success when they slowed it down. Way too many times OU was lined up and ready to go and Florida was still scrambling defensively to get into position but then OU would let them off the hook by doing that pop up and look to the sidelines check off deal.

Sure looked like OU could've ran it down Florida's throats all night long if they just would've just hammered away at 'em with the quick count running game. Florida seemed to have no answer for it. By slowing down and by attempting to play a more needlessly balanced attack ('sup, Steve Sarkisian) it sure looked like OU really did Florida a favor.

[campinfool]

While no one can deny the success of Stoops at OU and his ability to land in these types of games, but I think he deserves every bit of flak he is getting. I can recall a certain coach in the same conference that had trouble winning big games and earned the name Coach February. And I'm pretty sure the media in Austin would be like sharks circling bleeding prey if Brown went 0-5 in the most recent BCS/ big games.

[Vito Corleone]

When Mack Brown gets to as many conference championship games as Bob Stoops has won, then the situations can be considered remotely analogous.

That is likely not going to happen since it is rumored that Mack will be hanging it up in the next three seasons, he is being tabbed as the next AD at Texas.

I honestly don't think I would be happy if Mack had won 6 conference championships only to be 0-5 in bowl games.

The fact remains that Bob Stoops has been living off his reputation as big game bob for the last 5 seasons and that rep has gotten him into two BCS games he didn't deserve. I don't blame him or Oklahoma for this cause that is what he is paid to do, but the fact is that the media has given him a free ride over more deserving teams.

The good news is I think the backlash from this is we are closer than ever to getting that playoff.

[Harvdog]

1. Bob Stoops is not 0-5 in bowl games. He is not even 0-5 in bowl games over the last five seasons. He is 4-6 in bowl games, with two of the wins coming in BCS games, one in the Cotton Bowl, and one in the Holiday Bowl against a top 10 Oregon team with his worst team since 1999.

2. Living off his reputation? Which team has won the last three Big 12 conference championships? Hint: It's not a team coached by Mack Brown.

C'mon Vito....Bob is still the man in Norman and to all the sheep of Sooner Nation. Remember that our friends to the north are a little touchy about their play on the field in the "Big games" as of late. And no.....they are not 0-5 in Bowl games. He is just 1-5 over his last 6 because that squeaker against Oregon in 2005 was the slump buster. :doh:

Now, BTH, since you want to hammer home the fact that BGB has 6 conference championships and Mack has 1, what have you really gained since Stoops came to Norman?

Let's see.....1 MNC.....check....Texas has 1 MNC....

OU has been to more BCS bowls than Texas.....check

OU has been to 7 BCS games (Tied with Ohio State for most appearances), winning 2 and losing 5 and now tied with Florida State for the most BCS bowl losses, congrats....Texas has been to 3 games and won all 3.

OU lost to Boise fucking St and West Virginia while the enitre country watched and snickered....And Jared Zabransky who will not sniff an NFL field got the cover of NCAA 2007 becuase of your epic meltdown. You did help the interm coach land a full time gig because evidently, beating OU in a BCS bowl is a big deal.

They did beat Oregon in the Holiday bowl while Texas was winning the MNC. Props.

Ass raped by USC 55-19. The biggest beat down in the history of the BCS. No other team has lost by 36 points and no other team has allowed another team to score half a hundred in a BCS game. WAY to GO BGB!!!!

Pimp slapped by LSU when you should not have been there....this is a re-occuring theme.

And the latest in OU folklore......losing to Florida. Of course, you should not have been there and it showed. Nic Harris? Fine example of what is taught by Stoops to his players. Talk shit and do not back it up and when you are made to look the fool, intentional foul after a play to take the guy out who is making you eat your words. That my friend, is pure sportsmanship and class, something BGB would know nothing about.

BGB does have a 6-4 record against Texas. You can always hang your hat on that... but has lost 3 of the last 4 and with the loss of that entire line, soon to be 4 of 5.

So for your 6 Conference championships you have exactly the same number of MNC's as your biggest rival and a losing record in the big bowl games.

Congrats on all your spoils.

[campinfool]

Evidently OU fan was mighty proud about the Sooner season and bowl game performance that they turned out in droves to greet the team upon their return to Norman


OU football: Sooners greeted on return in Norman
BY JAMES S. TYREE
Published: January 10, 2009

NORMAN — Eleven people, not counting police officers and media members, showed up Friday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to welcome the Oklahoma football team back from Miami.


The makeshift team of strangers was spirited, whether it was playing "Boomer Sooner” ringtones or clapping in unison for the Sooners when the eight-bus convoy finally arrived at 5 p.m.

"I just wanted to support the team and say win or lose, you play the game fair,” said Cayman Webster, 14, of Guthrie.

OU lost to Florida, 24-14, in the BCS National Championship Game on Thursday night.

OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said he appreciated everyone who came out. Wilson said "we respect those guys for being here.”

Lori McClure, a Norman resident who came because her 11-year-old son, Harrison McClure, is a big OU fan, said the gathering was actually larger than it was last year. The Sooners lost to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl while Norman was still recovering from a major ice storm.

[DiT]

Harv,I know you'd prefer Blake still be our coach.
don't hate;)

[Van]

OU has been to 7 BCS games (Tied with Ohio State for most appearances)

USC has been to 7 BCS games...in a row. It's some sort of a record.

[TheJON]

Had our AD not fucked up and Stoops been hired, he would not be going through this. We'd already have a statue of the guy outside our stadium. Dude's a legend here anyways.

Bob,

You can come back any time you want and we'll appreciate you a lot more than Sooner fan will.

[DiT]

Had our AD not fucked up and Stoops been hired, he would not be going through this. We'd already have a statue of the guy outside our stadium. Dude's a legend here anyways.

Bob,

You can come back any time you want and we'll appreciate you a lot more than Sooner fan will.

he's appreciated plenty.
I have no problem with him making OU a top 5 program again.

[the_ouskull]

Only having read the initial post, and about 10 responses, I think that while the heart of the article is in the right place, the accuracy of the article is fuckdumb.

Both of Bradford's interceptions came off of drops. We had two huge plays killed by penalties. Those are things that you can't do against a team like Florida and expect to win. Our defense came out and played lights out. Our offense was moving the ball up and down the field. I think that, in a handful of situations, Stoops "out-thought" himself, yes, but I don't feel like that game was on our coaches other than they're the ones in charge of the team. But Stoops didn't drop two balls. Iglasias did. Stoops didn't hold. Robinson did. What Stoops DID do was continue to run the ball off of Phil Loadholt's fat, lazy ass on the goal line. THAT hurt.

OU got beat. I think that, since OU can legitimately say that they play for the National Championship almost every year, we can absorb losing a game like that. It's the West Virginia losses that make me want to break out the cryin' towel.

the_ouskull

[Vito Corleone]

Not to go off topic but skull brought up something that has really pissed me off. Robinson had two holding penalties in that game. I guarantee that those don't get called by Big 12 refs. This has been a huge pet peeve of mine all season long, Big 12 officials don't call holding enough. Hell taco tech's oline got away with murder all season long, the Texas oline holds like a mother. Not enforcing it during the regular season only puts Big 12 teams in a disadvantage come bowl season when those penalties are being enforced because our linemen have become lazy due to the holding they are allowed to do.

I have grown to absolutely hate Big 12 refs because they absolutely suck at their job.