NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Like a well-executed blitz, Bob Stoops shocked the college football world.
Oklahoma’s football coach abruptly announced his retirement Wednesday after leading the Sooners to 10 conference championships and a national title in 18 seasons.
The 56-year-old Stoops was the longest-tenured active coach in major college football, taking the job at Oklahoma a day before Kirk Ferentz started at Iowa. He went 190-48 (.798) at Oklahoma in his only college head-coaching job, giving him more victories than Sooners greats Barry Switzer (157) and Bud Wilkinson (145).
With his success and the school’s winning tradition came pressure.