sign in sign up
<<
Home , Antwone Savage, Bobby Jack Wright, Bob Stoops, Brent Venables, Cale Gundy, Jimmy Wilkerson

The natives were restless

when 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.

Rarefied air. The kind that swirled in the wake ofBud Wilkinson's effort- less stride and blew down the sidelines every time one ofBarry Switzer's teams stormed the field. The kind that is thick with tradition and carries with it the redolence of loyalty, faith, character and sacrifice . Most ofall, the kind that externalizes pride and, ultimately, BY JAY C . UPCHURCH success . There was a time when this air filled Memorial Stadium every football Saturday . It was the very element that lured throngs of fans and made the football program a perennial contender for the national title .

14 SOONERSlierifMAGAZINE The Sooners won six national championships in the were marked improvements throughout the program . course of four decades, and while the distinction of those "I'm not much on rating things, but I felt it was a positive gloryyears is still a great source ofpride, the lack of success start-a good beginning," says the 39-year-old Stoops, who over much of the last 10 years had gone far in tempering became the 21st at Oklahoma on December 1, crimson spirits . 1998 . "I said before the season we expected to win every During one stretch from 1994-98, the floundering Soon- game, and while we fell short ofthat goal, we had the chance ers had practically become a source of embarrassment, to win every game . I feel good about the fact we made producing a 23-33-1 record with only one bowl appearance strides, but it is just the beginning. We have to remember under a trio of coaches that included Howard that, and we have to push forward and continue to im- Schnellenberger and John Blake, who combined for only 17 prove." wins during their four seasons at the helm. Stoops and his staff managed to blend just enough new Morale was at an all-time low, not only within the talent with an existing roster of players, who more than program, but also in every corner of Soonerland . Every OU anything needed a large dose of confidence. The result : the fan craved a return of the tradition and all it stands for . 1999 Sooners improved in practically every offensive and But, even simple respectability figured to be a good start. defensive category, as well as on special teams, ranking 13th Luckily, in late 1998, when OU Athletic Director Joe nationally in total offense and 18th in scoring defense. Castiglione went searching for the person to charge with "I had felt all along and said that this was a program that restoring the Sooners' good name, he already had someone in should be doing more than it was doing. I looked at the mind. Castiglione's choice from the start was Bob Stoops . tradition and the history ofwinning and the recruiting base," While not exactly a household name, Stoops was possi- says Stoops . "When I took thejob, I thought the potentialwas blythe hottest commodity within collegiate coaching circles . here to get back to those winning ways and to become a During his three seasons (1996-98) as assistant head coach contender again. But the players here had a lot of things to and defensive coordinator for at Florida, he learn; there was a lot ofrebuilding to do in some ways." helped lead the Gators to a national title and an overall Stoops' first mission, besides bringing aboard a qualified mark of 30-5. staff and stabilizing the recruiting situation, was to supply Stoops was no stranger to Castiglione, who literally had the primary ingredients the program was missing prior to watched him come up through the ranks, beginning with his his arrival. That included heightened work habits, team playing days at Iowa and as an assistant at Kansas State and confidence and discipline. Florida . Stoops' defensive wizardry had proved to be the "Those things were missing, and you have to build those missing piece of Florida's national championship puzzle . in your kids," says Stoops . "I was aware ofBob's career at every juncture . I kept an The new coach's master plan was mapped out over an eye on him long before he was at Florida," explains extended period of time but demanded immediate results . Castiglione . "I talked to people who knew Bob all the way The dedication and enthusiasm Stoops brought to the back to when he was a high school player, and one of his program were contagious . The results were apparent in his biggest assets is the fact he's been the type ofperson other first recruiting class, which included Josh people look to for leadership. He's always been the captain Heupel, who went on to earn Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of or a leader in some way, and he's always embraced that the Year honors, and it spread through the legions of OU responsibility and excelled at it." fans . For the first time since 1987, every home game was Stoops clearly had excelled as he made the transition a sellout. Not so suddenly, the foundation for future success from successful player to successful coach. But in signing seems in place, and Sooner mania is back at full vigor. a multi-year deal with Oklahoma, he was about to take on "People should never underestimate how difficult it is to the biggest challenge of his life. move from even the top assistant spot to be the head coach. Bob Stoops thrives on this kind ofchallenge. In his first It's no small transition," says Castiglione . "Bob has made season, he led the Sooners to a 7-5 mark and their first bowl that transition look easy by the way he's handled himself in appearance in five years. so many situations . It's almost uncanny how he assembled Ironically, Stoops claims that his initial season at Okla- a new staff, a new work ethic, new system and then got homa fell short ofsome rather lofty expectations . Still, there players to buy into that plan . "It's a lesson in organizational management, to say the least." Castiglione points to Stoops' pedigree as an explanation for the young coach's vast knowledge and leadership skills . After all, Bob Stoops comes from the ultimate coaching family . His father, Ron Sr ., was a high school defensive coordinator for 28 years, while brothers Ron Jr ., Mike and Mark are all currently in the coaching business . In fact, Mike is a member of Bob's staff, serving as associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator with . Football is in his blood, and Stoops has used his heritage to help produce winners everywhere he has been during a career that spans 17 seasons . That continues to be his goal

2000 SUMMER 15

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 right direction . With 17 full or part-time starters returning this fall, 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 a whirlwind for Stoops . Besides dealing with the daily demands that come with building an on-field contender, Stoops has had more than two armfuls to handle away from the office and the sidelines . His home team expanded by two last summer when wife Carol gave birth to twin brothers, Drake and Isaac, for big sister Mackenzie, now 4. Stoops says the pressures of coaching do not compare to those of everyday life, even when you are trying to live up to the ghosts of the past and create your own supply of rarefied air . "I don't hesitate to say I've got some big shoes to fill from the past . And I'll certainly be hard-pressed to match some

Bob Stoops' plan for restoring Sooner football fortunes is pretty simple-assemble a top-notch staff, raise the bar on work ethic and discipline, build team confidence-and expect to win every game . Sharing the sideline intensity here are, standing from left, co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables ; assistant strength coach Scott Bird; tight ends/special teams coordinator ; assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Mangino (wearing headphones) ; and Stoops .

at the University of Oklahoma . While he believes the 1999 season was a good beginning "We're not going to sit around talking about national on the long road back, Stoops admits that his team is still championships . Our focus is the Big 12 championship learning how to handle success, how to handle the lead first," insists Stoops, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, who in a big game, how make the plays that make the was a four-year starter at Iowa and a two-time All-Big 10 difference in close games . selection. "Take care ofthat business, and then you can talk about the other if you are fortunate . The tradition here is of the numbers those guys put up," admits Stoops . "But it's among the best in all of -that's our heri- exciting . It motivates me, and I welcome the challenge . tage, and we have to try to live up to that . Expectations are "I have always thought (Oklahoma) was a very special good, and no one has bigger expectations than we do . But job . Everyone loves football here ; football is important . We you have to be realistic at the same time . have great leadership and commitment from people like "Last year, these kids had to learn a lot of things, like Joe Castiglione and President (David) Boren, and that's a how to handle success," Stoops explains . "They are still major factor in your program's ability to grow. Myjob is to learning how to handle the lead in a big game-making bring it all together and make it work." the plays that make the difference in close games. I felt So far, so good.

16 SOONER MAGAZINE or his 2000 Sooners Newcomer of the Year after NEW FACES to achieve the success Coach/ rewriting almost every Oklahoma Passing Game Coordinator passing record last season, , So ., QB he anticipates, Bob When Mike Leach departed for Heupel is being billed as a possi- Not exactly a new name to OU FStoops is banking on Texas Tech, Long was brought in ble candidate in followers, but Hybl will be making championship perform- to keep the Sooners' aerial attack 2000 . The crafty southpaw his Sooner debut at some point ances from some familiar in full flight . A one-time All- displayed a strong, accurate arm this season . Hybl sat out last American quarterback Iowa while figures and a few new- at connecting on 62 percent of season under NCAAtransfer rules and 2000 inductee to the College his passes as a junior . after arriving from Georgiaas one comers among the coaching Football Hall of Fame, he spent of the most hyped quarterback , Jr., LB staff and players . Key the last three seasons as the recruits in the country. Big play Described as the best player in personnel at a glance are: Hawkeyes' QB coach . His capability makes Hybl the QB of Oklahoma's defensive lineup last knowledge of the passing game the future . season, Calmus lived up to the definitely will complement Mark hype by earning first team All-Big , Fr., LB Mangino's playbook . 12 honors . As a sophomore, he A versatile Blue Chip recruit from THE SOONER STAFF led the Sooners with 114 tackles Omaha, Texas, Wilkerson figures despite playing the final two to make an immediate impact with Running Backs Coach Assistant Head Coach/ games with a fractured bone in the Sooner defense. The 6-foot-4, The all-time leading passer in Offensive Coordinator his leg. 230-pound linebacker was a two- Needing just one season to Sooner history before Josh Torrance time All-State selection as a prep . stabilize Oklahoma's offensive Heupel arrived, Gundy showed Marshall, Sr., LB Marshall was selected as Big 12 Fr., LB line, Mangino is ready to his versatility as assistant coach , Defensive Newcomer the an even bigger challenge this fall, last season, showcasing his of Year After producing an all-everything after finishing third on the team in Fort Gibson High as he takes over as offensive overall knowledge of the offensive type of career at tackles with 97, including 66 of coordinator from the departed backfield. While OU's offense School, Lehman is expected to the unassisted variety. Hisspeed make a quick transition into the Mike Leach . The pass-happy certainly was pass oriented, and a good noseforthe ball make ranks with the Sooners probably will go with a Gundyhelped establish arunning college Sooner Marshall a major threat to defense. A SuperPrep All- more balanced overall attack with game in which three backs opposing offenses . American, the 228-pound Mangino calling the shots. averaged more than 6.2 yards a 6-1, Lehman will join fellow recruit carry. , So ., DB Wilkerson as a top candidate for Williams wasted little time Associate Head Coach/ a starting linebacker spot . becoming one of the Sooners' Co-Defensive Coordinator Defensive Line Coach top defensive players last fall . Marcus Chretien, Jr ., DE Younger brother of head coach Shipp made a triumphant return Afterreturning from aback injury, During OU's spring drills, the Bob Stoops, Mike joined the OU to Norman last season as he Williams recorded 75 tackles as a transfer from Kilgore, Texas, staff after seven seasons as an helped fortify a Sooner defense redshirt-freshman, including 57 displayed some of the talent that assistant at Kansas State, that had struggled mightily in unassisted stops. He earned made him a JUCO All-American . including the last three as recent years. An All-American Freshman All-American honors Chretien's size (6-4, 240) and defensive coordinator. Having linebacker during his playing days for his efforts. speed give him a legitimate helped build K-State's defense at Oklahoma, Shipp made eight chance at plenty of playing time into one of the best in the nation, coaching stops before earning a , So., WR this fall . Mike was instrumental in the spot on Bob Stoops' staff. Soft hands and fast feet made Sooners' defensive turnaround STEVE SPURRIER JR. Savage one of 's Howard Duncan, Jr., OL last season . Wide Receivers Coach favorite targets in 1999 . In fact, With the loss of All-American BRENT VENABLES Spurrier helped provide QB Josh Savage setsingle-season records Stockar McDougle, the Sooners at OU for catches (31) and may look to the 6-4, 300-pound Co-Defensive Coordinator Heupel with plenty of targets last yardage by a freshman, earning Duncan for immediate help on The fiery and always-animated season, giving the Sooners one him Freshman the offensive line . Duncan proved Venables bled Kansas State of the top receiving corps in the of the Year honors . himself as one of the top JUCO purple as both a player and conference . He was a member of linemen in the country at Butler assistant coach forthe eight years his father's staff at Florida for five Corey Callens, Sr., DE County CC last season . prior to joining the OU staff last seasons before making the move A third-team All-Big 12 selection season . The 29-year-old to Oklahoma with Bob Stoops . last fall, Callens is expected to Terrance Simms, Jr., DB Venables is the storm to co- play a major role again in 2000, Anothertalented JUCOtransfer, defensive coordinator Mike Defensive Ends Coach especially from a leadership Simms was the Defensive Back Stoops' calculated calm . The Texas connection, Wright standpoint . He led all OU linemen of the Year in the Jayhawk in tackles (48) as a junior, with 30 Conference last season . The JONATHAN HAYES is the senior member of the of those coming during the final former prep All-American has the Tight Ends/Special Teams Oklahoma staff, having begun five games. speed and read capability to Coordinator his coaching career at Texas cover man-to-man . After spending a dozen seasons A&I in 1979 . His veteran , So ., RB playing in the NFL, Hayes has influence was one reason why Forced into action last season Brian Odom, Fr., RB made a successful transition to the Sooners' defensive ends and due to a lack of depth in the Considered the top running back coaching . His first season as an special teams stepped it up a backfield, Griffin made the most prospect in the state, Odom did it assistant came last fall with the notch or two last fall . of this collegiate debut, averaging all lastseason atAda High School, Sooners, and he made an 6 .5 yards every time he touched running for 2,490 yards and 40 immediate impact, helping shore TOP RETURNERS theball . Griffin wasOU'sfirst true . The 6-0, 195- up the tight end situation and put Josh Heupel, Sr., QB freshman to run for 100 yards in a pounder could complement an theword "special" back into OU's A junior college transfer named game (123 vs . Iowa State) since OU backfield that is in search of special teams . Big 12 Conference Offensive James Allen did it in 1993 . depth and overall stability.

2000 SUMMER 1 7