As Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen embarks on his first coaching search since hiring Mike Shanahan in 1995, one name is generating more buzz than all others: Bob Stoops.Yes, Stoops, the head coach at Oklahoma who will lead the Sooners into the national title game on Thursday, appears to be a candidate for the Broncos job. Or at least, Bowlen wants him to be a candidate. The Denver Post reports that Bowlen has tried to contact Stoops, but it's not clear whether Stoops is willing to listen. Although the folks in Oklahoma might be getting worried, would Stoops see the Broncos job as a step up?
I'm not so sure. When I was at the NFL scouting combine last year, I heard a few coaches marveling at the $6 million Stoops was scheduled to make in 2008. I'm not sure that Bowlen -- who still owes Shanahan $20 million over the next three years -- would give Stoops much more money than he's already making. And I'm not sure that Stoops wants to leave Oklahoma, where he has total control over everything, for the NFL, where coaches just don't have the same level of authority.
The only reason for Stoops to leave Oklahoma for the NFL is if he just thinks he's accomplished everything he wants to accomplish in college football, and feels it's time to find a new challenge. But before he makes that leap, he should give his old buddy Steve Spurrier a call.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-02-2009 @ 10:17AM
Aaron said...
Stoops should stay at Oklahoma.
John Mckay tried it and failed.
Bear Bryant was smart enough to stay where he was loved.
Nick Saban tried it and hated it, now he ownes the state of Alabama.
College level coaching is easier, the pay is the same, the atmosphere is better, Unfettered use of University jet. The only downside is recruiting, but if you win even that is easy.
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1-02-2009 @ 10:32AM
jhb004 said...
Hey, Stoops at Denver, a hell of a deal. Get this sucker out of college football quickly. Hook'em
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1-02-2009 @ 10:51AM
qtba2t2 said...
Leave Stoops in Norman... He has a great job and life there. He controls the team, if he goes to the NFL, the owner controls it.....Let Stoops mold these guys into real men, besides my son will be there in 3 years and cn't wait to play for Stoops... GO OU!!!!!
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1-02-2009 @ 10:54AM
Esther said...
Just because a coach is successful at the college level does not mean that same level of success will resonate at the next level. College ball is quite different from Pro...especially when it comes to the politicking...the NFL is more of a business than in college...economics is the name of the game...besides a lot of these coaches are successful because they excel at out recruiting other teams...in the NFL, the playing field is a lot more even than in college...
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1-02-2009 @ 12:25PM
Dan said...
Keyshon Johnson isn't always the best guy to quote from....but he did remind that the college game was about kids who play hard to get paid. When you are one of thousands of college players trying to get picked in the first few rounds, and add in the college life, the players lay it on the line. A college coach can screw with a kid, his playing time, and his stats. After a guy signs that multi million dollar contract, the owner...not the coach now has a say in what goes on. I don't see Stoops being any different than the other college guys who have failed at the shot. Stay in college, try and win a few titles, and do what you do best Stoops.
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1-03-2009 @ 10:50PM
Annette said...
Bob Stoops will not leave Oklahoma. He has the set up of a life time with enough money to live well. He also has a team that year after year only get better and better (that is if they can get the curse of loosing bowl games behind them). He wants and tries to provide stability for his children and his wife. So no matter how attractive a deal that is dangled in front of him Bob Stoops is content and satisfied right where he is. But I am sure he is flattered to be considered as a top canidate for all NFL coaching positions. I say this having lived in Oklahoma my entire life until 2000 when moving to the state of Wisconsin...and as much as I admire Stoops as a coach and stand up human being I am not and never have been an OU fan, but doesnt mean I dont recognize a great human being.
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