Mike Stoops returing? ESPN saying probably.

[Old Fart]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-sooners-co-defensive-coordinator-sources-say

Former Arizona coach Mike Stoops will join the Oklahoma staff -- and his brother -- as co-defensive coordinator, a move that will be announced as soon as Wednesday, sources said.

Willie Martinez, an assistant who coached the defensive backs, is leaving the staff. The Sooners' head coach is Bob Stoops.

Stoops was coach at Arizona from 2004 to 2011, going 41-50 overall, 27-38 in the Pac-12.

Stoops took the Wildcats to three consecutive bowls before being released after a 1-5 start this past season.

Stoops was an assistant at Oklahoma from 1999 to 2003, where he was co-defensive coordinator with Brent Venables, who has said he wants what is best for the program, including the possible addition of Stoops.

Mike Stoops was on Oklahoma's sideline for this year's bowl game against Iowa. Bob Stoops had said that he would welcome working with his brother again, but that there wasn't a spot available on the staff.

However, Martinez's departure will allow the energetic, intense Mike Stoops to re-join the team.

 

[338Shooter]

The other teams might as well quit playing. OU will win every national championship from here on out.

 

[Pstmstr]

yeah, such a winning record as a head coach, more mediocre acceptance at OU.

 

[Blinocac200sx]

The other teams might as well quit playing. OU will win every national championship from here on out.

This is true. Wonderstoops powers unite!

 

[338Shooter]

yeah, such a winning record as a head coach, more mediocre acceptance at OU.

Well, this way he only has to coach 1/2 of a team, or since he'll be the d-backs coach 1/4? Can you say 4 times the wins? It's inversely proportional right? Maybe Mike should coach the kicker. 1 player would be lots of wins.

 

[Old Fart]

All the need now is Mark Stoops to lead the offense.

 

[HMFIC]

This could turn out to be a very good thing.

 

[11b1776]

I think its a good thing, the defense hasn't been the same since he left. I thought they played with more of a chip on there shoulder when he was there. I think there should have been more of a shake up in the coaching department.

 

[Shadowrider]

Yep. He's baaaaack!

Okay let the cowgurl fans start the crying!

Oklahoma officially announced Thursday that Mike Stoops would become the defensive coordinator for his brother with the Sooners.

Read it and weep!

 

[Peabody]

BREAKING: OU announces Mike Stoops hiring, Martinez’s departure
Posted by Travis Haney on January 13, 2012M at 2:51 pm

CAMPUS CORNER - It’s finally official. Mike Stoops is in. Willie Martinez is out. Brent Venables is in, for now.

Here’s the release from OU.

I find it interesting that Martinez leaving is, for some reason, played up and Mike Stoops’ coming on board is kind of pushed down the page. Seems to me the Sooners, in an effort of goodwill, buried the lead.


NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma Head Football Coach Bob Stoops announced changes to his staff today. Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez has resigned to pursue another position and Mike Stoops will fill the vacancy on the staff and also serve as co-defensive coordinator with Brent Venables.

“Willie has some attractive options and is going to pursue them,” Bob Stoops said. “I appreciate all of Willie’s work here. He represented our program in the right way and will continue to do well in our profession.”

Martinez, while looking ahead, said he was grateful for his time at OU.

“I’ve been presented with some professional opportunities that I want to pursue,” he said. “In leaving Oklahoma, I want to convey my thanks and appreciation to Joe Castiglione, Bob Stoops, the football staff, our players and the Sooner fans. OU has a great football tradition and I am pleased that I’ve had the opportunity to coach here and meet a number of wonderful people. I certainly wish the Sooners all the best going forward.”

Mike Stoops, the younger brother of OU’s head coach, returns to Oklahoma where he coached from 1999-2003 while working with the Sooner secondary. The move will reunite Mike Stoops with Brent Venables, OU’s Associate Head Coach. The two previously served as co-defensive coordinators and authored some of the nation’s best defenses.

“Mike and Brent have a long history and comfort level working together, and have together led some great defenses,” Bob Stoops said.

When Mike Stoops left Oklahoma at the end of the 2003 season, it was to become the head coach at Arizona. He led the Wildcats to a school-record three consecutive bowl appearance and saw his teams post 84 program records.

“We feel very fortunate to have Mike on our staff. Over the past few months, because of the reputation he has built among his peers, he was a highly sought-after coach,” said Bob Stoops. “People across the country recognize his tremendous knowledge of the game and great energy. He will have a very positive impact on our program.”

For Mike, the move is a natural as he returns to Norman where he helped direct a 2000 team that won the national championship with a record of 13-0.

“Obviously, it’s very comfortable to come back to Oklahoma,” he said. “Bob and Brent and I grew up in the profession together and all of that feels very good.”

Individual players under Mike Stoops’ direction excelled during his previous tenure. Roy Williams and Derrick Strait, both defensive backs, became the only players to win both the Nagurski (best defensive player) and Thorpe (best defensive back) Awards in the same season. He observed that players of that caliber often translate into team success.

“You’ve got a chance to win every time you step on the field at Oklahoma,” Mike said. “It’s one of the best situations in all of college football.”

But it’s not necessarily the same Mike Stoops who coached at OU earlier.

“You grow and mature as a person and I believe my experience at Arizona has helped me become a better coach,” he said. “We had to fight through a lot to accomplish several good things, and I grew a lot through that process.”

Mike said that his first priorities are to put a strong finish on the recruiting period and then to meet a new group of players. The recruiting process has already begun.

“Mike and Brent were out the door recruiting together within two hours of Mike’s hiring so we’re off to a good start,” Bob Stoops said.

= Trav