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Sooners get their man

Oklahoma names Florida assistant Stoops as head coach

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Posted: Tuesday December 01, 1998 10:13 PM

Sooners' new hope: Bob Stoops is the fourth coach at Oklahoma since Barry Switzer (behind) resigned in 1989 AP

NORMAN, Oklahoma (AP) -- Bob Stoops, a defensive specialist, was hired as Oklahoma's football coach today. He played a part in rebuilding Kansas State and helped lead Florida to a national title.

It's the first head coaching job for Stoops. He replaced John Blake, who was fired November 22 after a 12-22 record in three seasons.

"I shall not shy away from the expectations that you have at Oklahoma," Stoops said after he was introduced. "There are no excuses. You succeed or you don't."

The 38-year-old Stoops played and coached at Iowa and was defensive coordinator at Kansas State before taking the same job at Florida three years ago.

As Florida's coordinator, he transformed the Gators into an attacking, aggressive defense that helped them win a national championship in 1996 and at times has stolen the thunder from Steve Spurrier's Fun 'N' Gun offense.

Florida has been ranked in the nation's top 15 in defense during each of Stoops' seasons there.

Stoops will take over an Oklahoma program that boasts six national championships but has not had a winning season since 1993. The Sooners are 23-33-1 in the past five years under Gary Gibbs, Howard Schnellenberger and Blake.

After the Gators won the national championship, Stoops turned down the job as coach at Minnesota.

"I didn't want to be here and then be gone -- ride the wave, jump on the national championship and then jump off," he said then. "I just don't believe in that. I believe whatever you do, you ought to accomplish something, and you need to be somewhere awhile before you do."

Stoops is the fourth coach at Oklahoma since Barry Switzer resigned under pressure in 1989 after 16 seasons. Gibbs served six years, Schnellenberger lasted just one and then Blake followed.

Like Blake, Stoops comes to the job with no head coaching experience. But he has put together a strong record as a coordinator; Blake hadn't served as a coordinator at any level.

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