The natives were restless

when Bob Stoops arrived.

But after a single season,

the faithful are convinced

that this coach

can appease the ghosts

and satisfy the expectations

of a storied program

badly in need of a leader.

BY JAY C . UPCHURCH

14

SOONERMAGAZINE

Slierif

Rarefied air.The kind that swirled in the wake ofBud Wilkinson's effort-

less stride and blew down the sidelines every time one ofBarrySwitzer's teams stormed the field .

The kind that is thick with tradition and carries with it theredolence of loyalty, faith, character and sacrifice .

Most ofall, the kind that externalizes pride and, ultimately,success .

There was a time when this air filled Memorial Stadiumevery football Saturday . It was the very element that luredthrongs of fans and made the University of Oklahoma footballprogram a perennial contender for the national title .

The Sooners won six national championships in thecourse of four decades, and while the distinction of thosegloryyears is still a great source ofpride, the lack of successover much of the last 10 years had gone far in temperingcrimson spirits .

During one stretch from 1994-98, the floundering Soon-ers had practically become a source of embarrassment,producing a 23-33-1 record with only one bowl appearanceunder a trio of coaches that included HowardSchnellenberger and John Blake, who combined for only 17wins during their four seasons at the helm .

Morale was at an all-time low, not only within theprogram, but also in every corner of Soonerland . Every OUfan craved a return of the tradition and all it stands for .But, even simple respectability figured to be a good start.

Luckily, in late 1998, when OU Athletic Director JoeCastiglione went searching for the person to charge withrestoring the Sooners' good name, he already had someone inmind . Castiglione's choice from the start was Bob Stoops .

While not exactly a household name, Stoops was possi-blythe hottest commodity within collegiate coaching circles .During his three seasons (1996-98) as assistant head coachand defensive coordinator for Steve Spurrier at Florida, hehelped lead the Gators to a national title and an overallmark of 30-5 .

Stoops was no stranger to Castiglione, who literally hadwatched him come up through the ranks, beginning with hisplaying days at Iowa and as an assistant at Kansas State andFlorida . Stoops' defensive wizardry had proved to be themissing piece of Florida's national championship puzzle .

"I was aware ofBob's career at every juncture . I kept aneye on him long before he was at Florida," explainsCastiglione . "I talked to people who knew Bob all the wayback to when he was a high school player, and one of hisbiggest assets is the fact he's been the type ofperson otherpeople look to for leadership . He's always been the captainor a leader in some way, and he's always embraced thatresponsibility and excelled at it ."

Stoops clearly had excelled as he made the transitionfrom successful player to successful coach. But in signinga multi-year deal with Oklahoma, he was about to take onthe biggest challenge of his life .

Bob Stoops thrives on this kind ofchallenge . In his firstseason, he led the Sooners to a 7-5 mark and their first bowlappearance in five years .

Ironically, Stoops claims that his initial season at Okla-homa fell short ofsome rather lofty expectations . Still, there

were marked improvements throughout the program ."I'm not much on rating things, but I felt it was a positive

start-a good beginning," says the 39-year-old Stoops, whobecame the 21st head coach at Oklahoma on December 1,1998 . "I said before the season we expected to win everygame, and while we fell short ofthat goal, we had the chanceto win every game . I feel good about the fact we madestrides, but it is just the beginning. We have to rememberthat, and we have to push forward and continue to im-prove."

Stoops and his staff managed to blend just enough newtalent with an existing roster of players, who more thananything needed a large dose of confidence . The result : the1999 Sooners improved in practically every offensive anddefensive category, as well as on special teams, ranking 13thnationally in total offense and 18th in scoring defense .

"I had felt all along and said that this was a program thatshould be doing more than it was doing . I looked at thetradition and the history ofwinning and the recruiting base,"says Stoops . "When I took thejob, I thought the potentialwashere to get back to those winning ways and to become acontender again . But the players here had a lot of things tolearn; there was a lot ofrebuilding to do in some ways."

Stoops' first mission, besidesbringing aboard a qualifiedstaff and stabilizing the recruiting situation, was to supplythe primary ingredients the program was missing prior tohis arrival . That included heightened work habits, teamconfidence and discipline .

"Those things were missing, and you have to build thosein your kids," says Stoops .

The new coach's master plan was mapped out over anextended period of time but demanded immediate results .The dedication and enthusiasm Stoops brought to theprogram were contagious . The results were apparent in hisfirst recruiting class, which included quarterback JoshHeupel, who went on to earn Big 12 Offensive Newcomer ofthe Year honors, and it spread through the legions of OUfans . For the first time since 1987, every home game wasa sellout . Not so suddenly, the foundation for future successseems in place, and Sooner mania is back at full vigor .

"People should never underestimate how difficult it is tomove from even the top assistant spot to be the head coach .It's no small transition," says Castiglione . "Bob has madethat transition look easyby the way he's handled himselfinso many situations . It's almost uncanny how he assembleda new staff, a new work ethic, new system and then gotplayers to buy into that plan .

"It's a lesson in organizational management, to saythe least."

Castiglione points to Stoops' pedigree as an explanationfor the young coach's vast knowledge and leadership skills .After all, Bob Stoops comes from the ultimate coachingfamily . His father, Ron Sr ., was a high school defensivecoordinator for 28 years, while brothers Ron Jr ., Mike andMark are all currently in the coaching business . In fact,Mike is a member of Bob's staff, serving as associate headcoach and co-defensive coordinator with Brent Venables .

Football is in his blood, and Stoops has used his heritageto help produce winners everywhere he has been during acareer that spans 17 seasons . That continues to be his goal

2000 SUMMER 15

Bob Stoops' plan for restoring Sooner football fortunes ispretty simple-assemble a top-notch staff, raise the baron work ethic and discipline, build team confidence-andexpect to win every game . Sharing the sideline intensityhere are, standing from left, co-defensive coordinatorBrent Venables ; assistant strength coach Scott Bird ; tightends/special teams coordinator Jonathan Hayes ;assistant head coach and offensive coordinator MikeMangino (wearing headphones) ; and Stoops .

at the University of Oklahoma ."We're not going to sit around talking about national

championships . Our focus is the Big 12 championshipfirst," insists Stoops, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, whowas a four-year starter at Iowa and a two-time All-Big 10selection . "Take care ofthat business, and then you can talkabout the other if you are fortunate . The tradition here isamong the best in all of college football-that's our heri-tage, and we have to try to live up to that . Expectations aregood, and no one has bigger expectations than we do . Butyou have to be realistic at the same time .

"Last year, these kids had to learn a lot of things, likehow to handle success," Stoops explains . "They are stilllearning how to handle the lead in a big game-makingthe plays that make the difference in close games . I felt

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SOONERMAGAZINE

we've made major strides in those areas."Stoops' passionate, yet calculated approach has seem-

ingly steadied the ship and turned the Sooners in the rightdirection . With 17 full or part-time starters returning thisfall, along with a recruiting class ranked 15th nationally,the 2000 Big 12 title does not seem out of reach .

The 18 months since his arrival in Norman have been awhirlwind for Stoops . Besides dealing with the dailydemands that come with building an on-field contender,Stoops has had more than two armfuls to handle away fromthe office and the sidelines . His home team expanded by twolast summer when wife Carol gave birth to twin brothers,Drake and Isaac, for big sister Mackenzie, now 4.

Stoops says the pressures ofcoaching do not compare tothose of everyday life, even when you are trying to live upto the ghosts of the past and create your own supply ofrarefied air .

"I don't hesitate to say I've got some big shoes to fill fromthe past . And I'll certainly be hard-pressed to match some

While he believes the 1999 season was a good beginningon the long road back, Stoops admits that his team is stilllearning how to handle success, how to handle the leadin a big game, how make the plays that make thedifference in close games .

ofthe numbers those guys put up," admits Stoops . "But it'sexciting . It motivates me, and I welcome the challenge .

"I have always thought (Oklahoma) was a very specialjob . Everyone loves football here ; football is important . Wehave great leadership and commitment from people likeJoe Castiglione and President (David) Boren, and that's amajor factor in your program's ability to grow . Myjob is tobring it all together and make it work."

So far, so good .

F or his 2000 Soonersto achieve the successhe anticipates, Bob

Stoops is banking onchampionship perform-ances from some familiarfigures and a few new-comers among the coachingstaff and players . Keypersonnel at a glance are:

THE SOONER STAFF

MARK MANGINOAssistant Head Coach/Offensive CoordinatorNeeding just one season tostabilize Oklahoma's offensiveline, Mangino is ready to tacklean even bigger challenge this fall,as he takes over as offensivecoordinator from the departedMike Leach . The pass-happySooners probably will go with amore balanced overall attack withMangino calling the shots.

MIKE STOOPSAssociate Head Coach/Co-Defensive CoordinatorYounger brother of head coachBob Stoops, Mike joined the OUstaff after seven seasons as anassistant at Kansas State,including the last three asdefensive coordinator . Havinghelped build K-State's defenseinto one of the best in the nation,Mike was instrumental in theSooners' defensive turnaroundlast season .

BRENT VENABLESCo-Defensive CoordinatorThe fiery and always-animatedVenables bled Kansas Statepurple as both a player andassistant coach forthe eight yearsprior to joining the OU staff lastseason . The 29-year-oldVenables is the storm to co-defensive coordinator MikeStoops' calculated calm .

JONATHAN HAYESTight Ends/Special TeamsCoordinatorAfter spending a dozen seasonsplaying in the NFL, Hayes hasmade a successful transition tocoaching . His first season as anassistant came last fall with theSooners, and he made animmediate impact, helping shoreup the tight end situation and puttheword "special" back into OU'sspecial teams .

CHUCK LONGQuarterbacks Coach/Passing Game CoordinatorWhen Mike Leach departed forTexas Tech, Long was brought into keepthe Sooners' aerial attackin full flight . A one-time All-American quarterback at Iowaand 2000 inductee to the CollegeFootball Hall of Fame, he spentthe last three seasons as theHawkeyes' QB coach . Hisknowledge of the passing gamedefinitely will complement MarkMangino's playbook .

CALE GUNDYRunning Backs CoachThe all-time leading passer inSooner history before JoshHeupel arrived, Gundy showedhis versatility as assistant coachlast season, showcasing hisoverall knowledge ofthe offensivebackfield. While OU's offensecertainly was pass oriented,Gundyhelped establish arunninggame in which three backsaveraged more than 6.2 yards acarry.

JACKIE SHIPPDefensive Line CoachShipp made a triumphant returnto Norman last season as hehelped fortify a Sooner defensethat had struggled mightily inrecent years. An All-Americanlinebacker during his playing daysat Oklahoma, Shipp made eightcoaching stops before earning aspot on Bob Stoops' staff.

STEVE SPURRIER JR.Wide Receivers CoachSpurrier helped provide QB JoshHeupel with plenty of targets lastseason, giving the Sooners oneof the top receiving corps in theconference . He wasamember ofhis father's staff at Florida for fiveseasons before making the moveto Oklahoma with Bob Stoops .

BOBBYJACK WRIGHTDefensive Ends CoachThe Texas connection, Wrightis the senior member of theOklahoma staff, having begunhis coaching career at TexasA&I in 1979 . His veteraninfluence was one reason whythe Sooners' defensive ends andspecial teams stepped it up anotch or two last fall .

TOP RETURNERS

Josh Heupel, Sr., QBA junior college transfer namedBig 12 Conference Offensive

Newcomer of the Year afterrewriting almost every Oklahomapassing record last season,Heupel is being billed as a possi-ble Heisman Trophy candidate in2000 . The crafty southpawdisplayed a strong, accurate armwhile connecting on 62 percent ofhis passes as a junior .

Rocky Calmus, Jr., LBDescribed as the best player inOklahoma's defensive lineup lastseason, Calmus lived up to thehype by earning first team All-Big12 honors . As a sophomore, heled the Sooners with 114 tacklesdespite playing the final twogames with a fractured bone inhis leg.

Torrance Marshall, Sr., LBMarshall was selected as Big 12Defensive Newcomer of the Yearafter finishing third on the team intackles with 97, including 66 ofthe unassisted variety. Hisspeedandagood noseforthe ball makeMarshall a major threat toopposing offenses .

Roy Williams, So ., DBWilliams wasted little timebecoming one of the Sooners'top defensive players last fall .Afterreturning from aback injury,Williams recorded 75 tackles as aredshirt-freshman, including 57unassisted stops. He earnedFreshman All-American honorsfor his efforts .

Antwone Savage, So., WRSoft hands and fast feet madeSavage one of Josh Heupel'sfavorite targets in 1999 . In fact,Savage setsingle-season recordsat OU for catches (31) andyardage by a freshman, earninghim Big 12Conference Freshmanof the Year honors .

Corey Callens, Sr., DEAthird-team All-Big 12 selectionlast fall, Callens is expected toplay a major role again in 2000,especially from a leadershipstandpoint . He led all OU linemenin tackles (48) as a junior, with 30of those coming during the finalfive games.

Quentin Griffin, So ., RBForced into action last seasondue to a lack of depth in thebackfield, Griffin made the mostof this collegiate debut, averaging6 .5 yards every time he touchedtheball . Griffin wasOU'sfirsttruefreshman to run for 100 yards in agame (123 vs . Iowa State) sinceJames Allen did it in 1993 .

NEW FACES

Nate Hybl, So ., QBNot exactly a new name to OUfollowers, but Hybl will be makinghis Sooner debut at some pointthis season . Hybl sat out lastseason under NCAAtransfer rulesafter arriving from Georgiaas oneof the most hyped quarterbackrecruits in the country. Big playcapability makes Hybl the QB ofthe future .

Jimmy Wilkerson, Fr., LBA versatile Blue Chip recruit fromOmaha, Texas, Wilkerson figuresto make an immediate impact withthe Sooner defense. The 6-foot-4,230-pound linebacker was a two-time All-State selection as a prep .

Teddy Lehman, Fr., LBAfter producing an all-everythingtype ofcareer atFort Gibson HighSchool, Lehman is expected tomake a quick transition into thecollege ranks with the Soonerdefense. A SuperPrep All-American, the 6-1, 228-poundLehman will join fellow recruitWilkerson as a top candidate fora starting linebacker spot .

Marcus Chretien, Jr ., DEDuring OU's spring drills, thetransfer from Kilgore, Texas,displayed some of the talent thatmade him a JUCO All-American .Chretien's size (6-4, 240) andspeed give him a legitimatechance at plenty of playing timethis fall .

Howard Duncan, Jr., OLWith the loss of All-AmericanStockar McDougle, the Soonersmay look to the 6-4, 300-poundDuncan for immediate help onthe offensive line . Duncan provedhimself as one of the top JUCOlinemen in the country at ButlerCounty CC last season .

Terrance Simms, Jr., DBAnothertalented JUCOtransfer,Simms was the Defensive Backof the Year in the JayhawkConference last season . Theformer prep All-American has thespeed and read capability tocover man-to-man .

Brian Odom, Fr., RBConsidered the top running backprospect in the state, Odom did itall lastseason atAda High School,running for 2,490 yards and 40touchdowns . The 6-0, 195-pounder could complement anOU backfield that is in search ofdepth and overall stability.

2000 SUMMER 1 7