Count Bob Stoops as a vocal supporter of Oklahoma’s potential move to the Southeastern Conference.
The former Sooners head coach wrote an Op-ed in The Oklahoman on Tuesday that shared his thoughts on a whirlwind last few days, which have been punctuated by Oklahoma and Texas notifying the Big 12 they will leave the conference on Monday and formally requesting SEC invitations on Tuesday.
Stoops, who coached the Sooners from 1999-2016, openly supported and celebrated the recent actions by his former employer, labeling Oklahoma-to-the-SEC to be a “necessary” move that is “what’s best for Oklahoma.”
“I believe this is a good and necessary move for the future of our school and football program,” he wrote. “I disagree with any claims asserted that OU’s decision is ‘to the detriment of the State of Oklahoma,’ and that OU made it without “engagement and transparency.”
Stoops continued: “Let’s set the record straight: OU’s move to the SEC is what’s best for Oklahoma. The reality is that conferences are now more important than ever and, with limited spots, the strongest conferences would not accept OU if we were to require OSU to join as well. By joining the SEC, we ensure the state’s flagship university will be represented nationally while protecting our rich football history for many years to come. To move forward in any other manner would be to the detriment of OU and the state of Oklahoma.”
Stoops went on to list what he considered to be the greatest advantages of the move, including:
— Greater financial opportunities
— Better exposure
— Stronger recruiting
— Increased competition
“OU will be competing at the highest level of college football, which is exactly where we should be,” he wrote. “I can’t wait for SEC programs to face our teams and our fans — I think both are the best in the country.”
Stoops addressed concerns that it’s not good for the state of Oklahoma to have the Sooners and rival Oklahoma State no longer in the same conference. He said Oklahoma and Oklahoma State should work together when they can for the betterment of the state of Oklahoma, but said there are times where it’s simply not possible — pointing out that he doesn’t recall ever sharing his game plan with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy every year. He concluded that, “the reality is, in today’s world, conference realignment doesn’t allow for it.”
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have faced off every year in the storied Bedlam rivalry for more than 100 consecutive years. Oklahoma leads the all-time series, 90-18-7. Oklahoma State’s last win was in 2014, a 38-35 overtime victory by the Cowboys in Norman.
Stoops finished his coaching career with a 190-48 record at Oklahoma, including a 121-29 mark in conference play and a 14-4 record against rival Oklahoma State. That included 10 Big 12 titles, the most of any coach in Big 12 history. It also included a 2000 national championship.
