Just Stop Already With The John Blake ‘Doomsday’ References
Posted on: December 31, 2014
Image via NY Times
I’ve addressed this on the site before but following the debacle of Monday night and the increasing amount of shade being thrown Bob Stoops’ way, I feel compelled to do so again. Before I start though, let me be clear in saying my intention is not for this to read as a lecture. So if it does for some, my apologies. But I’ve seen this suggested so many times by so many people since Monday night, frankly, I’m kind of at my boiling point.
This fallacy of a ‘be careful what you wish for’ that the only possible scenario to replacing Bob Stoops would be an immediate return to the days of John Blake is just patently absurd.
Is it possible? Sure. There are any number of things in life that are possible. But is it the stone cold lock that some seem to be so deathly afraid and convinced it will be? Absolutely not.
Who’s to say, whenever Bob decides to go or even, say, if the decision is made for him, that Joe Castiglione can’t identify a list of qualified candidates. Narrow said list down to a select few, and then hire the next great head football coach at the University of Oklahoma. Why is this so unfathomable for some to comprehend?
Is it a guarantee that OU’s next head coach will meet and/or exceed the level of success Bob Stoops has achieved? Of course not. It’s no more of a guarantee than this presumption of the alternative of another decade toiling in futility.
Now for whatever reason this may be hard for some of you to hear, but the idea that Bob Stoops is bigger than OU Football is ridiculous. And, quite frankly, the perception that this could even be the case might explain some of the problems with the current state of the program.
OU Football was OU Football before Bob got here, and will continue to be long after he’s gone. Which is in no way to say what Stoops has accomplished during his time here is unappreciated. Far from it, in fact. But he isn’t bigger than the program. No one man is. Just ask Barry Switzer.
So spare me this doomsday scenario of a return to the 90’s the next time, god forbid, someone has the audacity to suggest replacing Bob Stoops. Do I want him to be fired? No. But I also know the fear of what might happen if he isn’t the head man patrolling the sidelines in Norman sure as hell isn’t a reason to not make a change, IF a change is deemed necessary.
144 Comments
There is a major coaching carousel going on in the SEC that OU needs to be a part of before some of those assistants get hired. Travaris Robinson was the secondary coach at Florida with a top ranked pass defense before Muschamp got fired. Also Randy Shannon and Tyrone Nix are out there. Stoops needs to pull the trigger on changing up the defensive staff before these guys get taken!
Randy Shannon got picked up by Florida if I’m not mistaken.
@McMurphyESPN: Arkansas asst/former UM coach Randy Shannon will be Florida LB coach source told @ESPN. 1st reported by @Brody_IAKOW
I should mention that I seen this via Jordan. Thanks Jordan.
I thought Shannon was at Arkansas.
Randy Shannon—-the former Miami HC? Are you nuts?
The one thing anyone fails to mention with the “be careful what you wish for” approach is that OU was recovering from a major probation at that time.
Blake was able to recruit with no restrictions, probation ended in 1994 I believe, but when he came in they were still feeling the side effects of a depleted roster. The probation that the Sooners received when Switzer was more or less forced out, was far greater than the penalties that current teams face today.
While Gibbs kept the Sooners somewhat respectable, he still had Switzer’s talent to coach.
If a coach happened to come in, he would be working with a much different scenario. He would be coming into an established program, rather than one just getting off probation.
Joe C. is a very capable AD. His only “bad” hire was Capel and Capel had us all fooled for a bit too. I have no doubt he’d find the right guy for the job.
Yeah he is! Softball and gymnastics are our best sports now. Wow Joe great job!
I wouldn’t even say Capel was a “bad” hire, it was more of an experimental hire. He had the resume, it just wasn’t meant to be. And, for a school that consistently rates hoops below football, missing on one guy in 15 years isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Yup…Stoops won his NC with players Blake recruited.
Stop with this nonsense already.
The players were recruited under Blake’s watch. The schemes and coaching were under BS.
No. Go back and look at Stoops first two recruiting classes.
Agreed! And the players that were here when Stoops arrived were often playing out of position, I.e. Roy Williams was at WR.
Jordan, you seem pretty ticked off. 😉 The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but then again it could be much greener.
I think his point is the grass on this side is just about all gone
It’s a valid point. I would give stoops another 2-3 years to see if he can catch fire again. I’m saying it right now, next year will buy stoops another 3-4 years. Everyone doubts next season will be any better because of all the road games. Also keep in mind that stoops is a hell of a motivator when it’s “us against the world” even without DGB next season will be better IMO. Without dgb there will be no way this team is ranked in the top 15 maybe not even top 20.
Now the counter to that is, next season could very easily be a repeat of this year and if that’s the case I think stoops is very much on the hot seat going into the 2016 season.
Quarterback issues aren’t going to magically disappear. Mayfield was a turnover machine at Tech I believe. And the secondary while a year older will be mostly the same guys that couldnt stop anyone with a pulse. I hope it happens, it was all just inexperience and turnovers but I’m skeptical at best right now
I’m hopeful they figure the qb issue out next year. They will be forced IMO to roll out whoever the qb is because the oline will be very inexperienced. Nila and darlington are the only returning with starter experience. If the offense can sustain drives then the defense will look a lot better.
The rush D looked great vs Clemson 68 yards on 42 carries. 5 turnovers and 319 yards passing allowed to a bad QB on the other hand are serious issues
Career stats for Mayfield: 2315 yards, 12 TDs, 9 INTs. Eight games in 2013.
Everyone has been calling for Mayfield to start, and I’m not sure what that’s based on. The Spring game? His 2013 stats?
Well and maybe he can take the so-called next step. I’m not sure about mayfield. But I think knight and thomas should take a back seat in spring practice to hansen and mayfield. I think those 2 need a fair shot to compete for the starting job and should get more snaps with the first team guys.
Suggesting any QB take a back seat to someone else isn’t prudent at this point. What information do we have to suggest that is the most optimal solution? Most of us have zero information.
It should be a completely open battle for the best person within the scheme that is being used.
And OU’s scheme is difficult to define. It’s a shotgun-based QB read running (but not really) passing to 5’11” WRs with little to no vertical threat passing game…something like that.
Who does that fit best?
Does OU even have a scheme? It certainly doesnt appear they stick to it if they do
I’ll be hoping for Justice Hansen to have a break out season. Not saying Sammy B’s RFr season but at least show some promise and lead the team. Something they aren’t getting with TK in the backfield
He was a true fresh. when he produced those stats FWIW
It’s based on watching TK and Thomas play.
Every wonder why there are playing the way they are playing. I know why, and that person won’t be around. None of them were buying what he was selling. Same goes for a lot of positions which is why they won’t be back either. Boykin was a WR after his TK stats too but hmm, put in someone who knows how to work with their strengths and bring out the best in them and you have Boykin’s success.
Could be. Could also be that Mayfield is the better QB and would ALSO benefit from the same instruction.
I don’t think either Thomas or TK are good QBs. As a true, walk-on Freshman, Mayfield had better stats than TK has posted in either of his two years as a starter.
Maybe, but it would be fun to watch CT/TK/BM under different leadership who knows how to use their strengths. I watched ND beat LSU and they used 2 QB’s but they had different plays that would use their strengths. It worked. My point is they tailored their approach based on the players ability. I think we have some talent to work with, it’s just a matter of getting a new person in there who knows how to use it.
a hair under 300 yards a game and a touch is light years ahead of the dumpster fire we had. He will have a hellova lot more talent around him here.
I agree Zach. I actually think Stoops will get the program back to OU expectations. Although, realty tells me it will take a couple of years and some uncomfortable decisions for Bob to make. Osborne and Paterno had down years during their tenure but returned their team to national powerhouses. My bet is Coach Stoops will do the same. He knows his crown has been challenged and his arrogance will fire him back with something to prove. Right now I am going to stand behind Stoops with the attitude that he is going to make the necessary adjustments and changes. Next season will reveal which direction the program is heading. Right now the staff has to win the recruiting battles!
I hope they can hang in there this year and close strong on recruits. But I really think people are over valuing the strength of ou’s road games next season.
Tennessee will be tough because of it being early in the season. Baylor will be tough because baylor has our number. Other than that we have OSU and ksu on the road and those teams will still be rebuilding. Wvu and tcu at home should help.
I still don’t know what to expect but based on stoops track record I believe 11 wins is a real possibility.
Damn the torpedoes, eh?
Sometimes you can kill the weeds and add new soil and then other times you’re better off just tearing it all up and replacing the grass altogether.
Geez!! Where is this coming from?? Most of the “return to John Blake” references that I have seen are coming from people who say that is where we are heading if we do NOT replace Bob Stoops now.
There’s two—-at least—-posters on here who are paid employees of the OU SID department.
It’s been awhile since I’ve made that statement but I am one of those careful what you wish for posters. I think stoops knows where the program stands and I think next year he will coach a lot better and have this team perform better. I don’t see 8-5 again but I will say I didn’t see any way we get blown out by Clemson. I thought there was no way we would lose to ksu or osu. And I doubted tcu. So I guess you could say I don’t know much at all. But then again most people said the same things I did.
Zack, not sure if you read my post correctly. I’m with you 100%. I too am a “be careful what you wish for guy” when it comes to firing Stoops. The point I was trying to make was that I didn’t understand Jordan’s rant. He seems to think that there are many on here who are saying that if we were to dismiss Bob as coach that we might return to the days of Blake. If people have said that, I guess I’ve missed their posts. What I have read, however, are several posters who have said that if Stoops remains as HC, then the program will deteriorate into a John Blake team in a few years. I can’t see that happening.
You’re right lately more have been saying “keeping Bob and we will be/already are on blake status”
Yeah and we have been saying “next year” for years now. Starting to sound alot like Texsa or Stillwater
“…next year he will coach a lot better…” That does NOT make me appreciate him any more. If that is the case, what kind of half-assed coach is he?
I saw a John Blake team play in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Just sayin.
. . . on the other hand . . . we might return to Bud Wilkinson . . .
Nope, no way! Joe C. will hire some random guy that will single handily destroy Sooner football
OMG! the sky really is falling! Pieces of sky are hunting me down, trying to dismember me! After the sky falls and kills me, it will torture me! Help! Help! Mayday mayday! Call 911! I want my blue blankey and suck my thumb curled up in the fetal position!
You should be handing these out as well
look at the sunshine flow! That thing works like a charm. I gotta get me one of those
Expect the sunny face might look like – gasp – John Blake! Aauuggh!
Take a midal drama queen!
Lol you should learn how to decipher sarcasm
Perhaps…. Seemed like a sincere position.
I thought it was pretty clear it was sarcasm.
As I recall, bud’s final year wasn’t all that great and it was followed by a couple of even worse years under Gomer Jones.
We keep this up and we may return to the Blake days without firing Stoops. I think the sentiment that the program spirals into Blake territory immediately is ridiculous, as is telling people they cannot express that opinion in a comments section.
In all reality though, programs struggle to replace coaching figures of Stoops stature. It’s not ridiculous to suggest that the program could struggle if Stoops is removed. After Bud and Barry the program entered periods of struggle. People could start referencing the Gomer Jones days. Altogether I think the talent level is higher on campus now than when Blake took over and if there was a coaching change there would be a better chance to be successful then unsuccessful.
Hi Jordan…post of the year given all the scare tactics drama. I have shared you article on the Sooner4OU Facebook page as we saw some of this John Blake silliness over there as well. It is hard for some to hear as fear is not a strategy or part of a quality decision process. OU is indeed bigger than any coach and they would have the pick of the litter if Stoops decided to leave. Simply put…times have changed and with social/Internet, 24-hour sports news channels and the intense scrutiny that goes into the decision process it would be far more likely that the candidate pool would be huge (Michigan had over 80 candidates, many were high-end) and the Sooner leadership would be able to pick a top-flight coach. Remember, the big profitable programs (only a few out there) with elite tradition, facilities and large compensation packages like Alabama (Saban), Auburn (Malzahn), Ohio State (Meyer) and now Michigan (Harbaugh) tend to get the best of coaches. OU is considered one of these elite programs and the Sooner Nation would likely be surprised at the quality of a coach we could get n Norman. Thanks for your post and keep up the good work. You gents are running a great site and strong relevant content. Boomer!
The anger from fans is justified, IMO but Stoops has shown that he has the capacity to recognize a problem..He is not an idiot. Give the man a chance… NSD is 5 weeks away so I don’t expect action till thereafter
Thanks for posting this Jordan, and I couldn’t agree more. While I appreciate all Stoops has done for the program, I also believe we won’t be winning our next title while he is the head man. Stoops’ departure certainly doesn’t mean the program will spiral down, especially since it’s already been spiraling in that direction since about the ’08 season.
I don’t recall, but knowing myself I’m sure I have likely used the be careful what you wish for statement. It’s always a gamble to some degree but I feel that when that day comes, the best available candidate will be hired and after maybe a year of dust settling the program would look as strong as ever.
Totally agree. I have never seen, heard, nor smelled something so dangerous that it couldn’t be discussed. In business and in life one is down right foolish if they don’t look at all options when difficult circumstances arise.
The arrogance that he is untouchable could very well be the reason for the lack or supposed lack of dedication to the job
This might be the History teacher coming out in me and we have all know the old saying about what happens to those that fail to learn from history…
Years between Bennie and Bud… 21
Years between Bud and Barry… 10
Years between Barry and Bob… 11
Nobody wants to be the guy to follow the guy!
LSU and tOSU have had transitions from top coaches and done well with the next coach. I believe Joe C could find a good coach if that were needed.
The Barry to Bob era was without a “professional” AD. Benny to Bud was the depression, dust bowl and the war – few Oklahoma folks could worry about football. The Bud to Barry era shows how OU CAN get quality coaches – McKenzie died, Fairbanks was pretty good in 71 and 72 and then Barry (only the couple of years of Gomer Jones were squat)
Saban abandoned LSU and Tressel had to leave because of scandal. Coaches are not clamoring for a job when the coach with more wins than anyone is forced out after 1 bad year. Coaches are a tight knit fraternity and Bob Stoops is respected by his peers so much that he was voted the coach other coaches would most want their kids to play for! You show him the door right now and this program will be in very bad shape.
They’ve recruited better.
I hate thinking about being out recruited. Kids today are fickle. We could put in all the work on a Cali kid have him buying a winter jacket and preparing for Norman until USC offers and then it’s swoon. Maybe we don’t appeal to the younger generation as much? Recruiting in 2014 is what we called cyber sex in 2000. These coaches aren’t going to appear hip. Thats why they have to do a better job of coaching up the ones they get here.
If we had an AD that didn’t know what he was doing, I’d be worried about getting rid of Stoops. With Castiglione as the AD, I’m sure if Stoops were to be gone, Joe would make a good choice and keep our standard of excellence. I was in the Pride during Blake’s tenure and it was dreadful. I’m sure we’ll be back there some day, just ask Michigan, Ohio St, USC, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Notre Dame…the list goes on. Every one of the elite programs have disastrous years from time to time.
I can remember driving home a couple times saying “well, at least the band was good: LOL.
Rece Davis had some strong words for the program on the ESPN championship drive podcast.
“Sooners got the boomer lowered on their noggins”
“This is the 5th straight time when they have been ranked in the preseason top 5 that they finished with 3 loses or more”
“This is the 2nd time since 2009 that when they are ranked in the preseason top 5 that they have finished with 5 loses and unranked.”
“Every program marriage has a shelf life and this one looks like it has hit it’s expiration date.”
hard to disagree with Rece………..
Truth is
Thanks Jordan. This be careful what you wish for applies to many schools where there is no top end leadership vision clarifying the school’s expectations, or in other words most P5 schools but NOT OKLAHOMA. OU’s expectations are clear, to compete at a national level for national championships. This is our legacy, this is our future. OU is similar to LSU, with great tradition and very high expectations. When Nick Saban bolted, they got Leslie and another natty. There is no rule that says that cannot happen, although there are probabilities that say it isn’t easy.
In Stoops case, one must look at a couple of variables. Although he did win one NC, his energy level and ability to attract top talent here has been diminished partly due to more Texas choices inside the B12 for TX kids to attend, and partly by his lack of a fire brand personality that kids identify with in a coach. He’s not an emotional charismatic come-play-for-me type and even downplays emotion as a part of the game, particularly odd compared to his siblings which operate on another level in that field. He doesn’t have the coolness factor many kids are attracted to, and in fact has become “damaged goods” in many eyes as an arrogant, blow hard that continually underproduces with his talent. Mack Brown helped to make him look good in comparison. Not only does the game seem to have passed him by, but his hunger to win is just not there. Particularly telling was his comment this week “all I had to do when I got here was beat TX”. That maybe was all he had to do initially to “look good”, but l don’t know many OU fans that think that is all this program is about.
There are a lot of coaches who would love taking this team at its current level and get it to the next level. A change in coaches sometimes does lose a recruit or two,but usually attracts more new recruits that it looses when the new coach is a proven, energetic and young coach on the rise. He has frequently brought embarrassment to his program by lackluster preparation by the staff and the players.
It is just possible that Bob has brought this program as far as he can take it, coupled with his getting very happy with that huge paycheck he gets for not having to win more.
well, I can remember when OU fans reviled gary ( can’t beat Texas or Colorado) Gibbs. Gibbs was fired and Howard Schnellenberger was hired by Donnie Duncan..SO things could get worse but with a knowledgeable AD , a good candidate would probably be selected….Hiring Howard was a “once in a lifetime’ mistake by a guy who had no business being the Sooner AD in the first place…
Sometimes I am embarrassed to be a fan! Some of you people have never put on pads or know what mind set it takes to play this game! A lot of you have never played a team sport at all! I hear it all the time from none athletes ” You didn’t have to play the game to understand what it takes to win on a consistent basis!” … Really? These are the same kind of people who back down when someone disrespects them or there friend in public instead of standing up for themselfs! The same people who are all about me in business or ” I’m not going to do that! It’s not my job!” Team sports IS all about family! You have each others backs! Some people have never went through two a days or thrown your body around and hit someone for your team with no regard for your safety! You do it for the team! You have good years and bad years! Yes, things need to change and maybe some heads need to roll!? But to say Bob needs to go is the most ridiculous thing we could do! We are not Nebraska! So shut your PIE HOLES!
Why would another fan with a differing opinion make you embarrassed? I don’t agree with some of the posts but it doesn’t embarrass me as a fan.
Just because somebody didn’t play college ball doesn’t mean they don’t know what it takes to be successful. Preperation and working your a** off will only get you so far in sports. You can be too slow to be a skill player and to small to be in the trenches. Doesn’t mean you weren’t successful while playing. That would be like telling guys who never made it to the NFL that they can’t complain because they never went through it. I understand what your saying but we love this team just as much. My dream was to play there, just wasn’t in the cards. I may not be on the field but I live in die with the team.
Before you come call us out learn how to spell. “Themselfs”, geeze maybe too many concussions on your part. I played ball and know what an inspired team looks like and an uninspired team looks like. I have never seen a more lackluster, uninspired team than I did Monday night, not even in bandit football.
Wow! Calling me out for spelling! I agree my man with what you say about the game, but how many 10 win seasons do you need to be happy? Did I call you out? Nooo,I do not think I did!? Concussions? Many …for your entertainment and still paying for it today. But I had fun doing it… ” spelling police officer”! Have a great day!
You told us to shut our pie holes. You also assume we (you said a lot) did not play sports or put on pads in our day. A lot of us did. Maybe not big time D1 but a team is a team on any level. It’s blood, sweat, tears, long night and early mornings in the weight room. It’s extra miles of running when nobody is watching and hrs of working on technique at home because you know one of your opponents is putting in work too. It’s about wanting it for yourself and the men you play with as well as your family and the crowd in the stands. It’s about reaching down deep and finding strength to push on when your body says “no”. That’s what I want to see out of this and any other team.No quit, inspired performance, we are OU. Pride. I don’t care about wins and losses as much as effort, and I just didn’t see effort in the RAB.
ok man! Just making the point that the people who have never played sports bitch the most and the ones that have, let things play out and try to get better.And that is what I have seen over the years! So if your taking it personal and calling out me venting… then we know what category you fall under!? So either way…Boomer and have a good day sir!
You have a good day too, God Bless.
Yo Buster! I remember you vs Nebraska in 1981.. BOOMER!
By that rationale, because I DID play college ball, all of my viewpoints are 100% valid? In that case, I object to your…argument(?). Actually, most of your ranting goes completely in the face of your Bob needs to stay argument. As a player I’d be PISSED to feel completely unprepared and completely mentally bogged down. Look at these kids, man. Look at them! They don’t know where to go or what to do and when they finally do, they are slow. Why? Because the scheme is too much. Full minds make slow legs, my friend. Right now the coaches are killing these kids. The kids may not even be talented enough to get this program to another NC, but I’d like their chances if they were actually prepared and playing with fire.
Yes the schemes were absolutely horrendous! I agree with everything you said. This was a general bitch out to people who think they know what they are talking about. Bob will and is doing his work on the matter and we will find ourselves in a better place soon. So if you think there is someone better out there, mt ears are open….
I’m sure there must have been a point somewhere in this rant, but I completely missed it.
We don’t “know” we need to replace bs imo…to me he’s earned the right to have a shot at reviving the program…with that said if he goes in to next year with ms of jh and loses 2-3 games he made his bed and will have to lie it…if he replaces them and we lose 2-3 with marked signs of defensive improvement (we could lose 2-3 games due to qb play imo) then im cool with him saying and seeing how it plays out
Jordan or Zack or Soonermusic or whoever else is a stats guy: what are the national rankings of baylor and TCU is the major defensive categories? I know both teams have had games where they got scored on a lot. In the big 12 and I think the sec is beginning to experience it, to be successful in the conference a team must get a few critical stops at key times but must have an offense that scores a lot of points and can do so quickly. Games with scores like 38-32 or 45-35 just seem to be so common.
I believe we’ll all see what direction things will go after NSD. If Coach Stoops can find the strength to make the glaring changes in waiting, OU will be fine. If not, we’re in a shallow foxhole with no ammo.
Hopefully, staff changes will be made sooner rather than later. And by sooner, I mean well before NSD. The right staff changes will only help with recruiting, not hurt it. Monty, Cale and BB have done 90% of the recruiting anyway and I can’t see any of them being replaced.
I don’t think returning to the John Blake era will happen if Stoops was replaced, nor do I think we are heading to 3-8 seasons. I do believe we are trending a bit toward the Gary Gibbs days. Win the games we should and lose games against ranked opponents..and go 8-5 or 9-4 etc…
Fearing change or what if is the direct path to complacency and mediocrity.
Anyone know if Mike Stoops is watching the Peach Bowl and taking notes on TCU’s defense? I’d start there if I was him. Not that he asked me but he appears to not know what to do with today’s offenses.
I think he didn’t know how to defend today’s offenses with the guys he had in the secondary… Too slow to run man, too inexperienced to (effectively) run zone.
He ran man, someone got burned. He ran zone, someone busted the coverage.
Right on!! People keep acting like Mike didn’t adjust or try to change up schemes but it really didn’t matter what he ran. He would press and corners would get run by, he would play back and guys would be slow to break and miss tackles, he would run cvr 2, cvr 3, 2 man, robber, cloud, every variety of zone and someone would be out of position. The back 7 was atrocious this year.
then coach them better and recruit ones that can. sheesh.
Man I wish they would have thought of that.
I put a lot of that on him. I see kids unable to make a decision because their minds are cluttered by the complexities of the scheme. Full minds make slow legs.
That has been my criticism of Coach Mike too. I think he over complicated things this year. I think he wanted to expand upon the things they did last year instead of perfect the things they did.
exactly.
Some of our D players stated just that during interviews – i.e., they did not know what to do with “wide splits”.
Seriously? After all the high-power BigXII offenses for years? No coach had ever seen wide splits? No OU coach could anticipate that and prepare the players?
100% toro kaka from this coaching staff
Jordan….
I must thank you again for representing my view. (Seems like we agree on a lot about OU)
Oklahoma Football is an institution that existed and had established a championship tradition well before Bob Stoops arrived. He deserves absolute and full credit for getting the program back to where it had been before and for the success the team has had during his tenure.
He also should be held accountable for the current state as well.
It would be crazy if he was the man to be able to take us back to the NC, but something has got to change. And it starts with him.
OU Football > Bob Stoops or any coach name
BOOMER!
Did you read everything he wrote??? if he represented your view, then I guess you don’t want him fired but if its deemed necessary you don’t care??? “So spare me this doomsday scenario of a return to the 90’s the next time, god forbid, someone has the audacity to suggest replacing Bob Stoops. Do I want him to be fired? No.”
{fart noise}…… your right find an up and comer or solid candidate like A&M, Michigan, Florida, Notre Dame, USC, and Texas did…. There are all in contention year in and out since then…. The John Blake References are based off history…. The same can be seen between Wilk and Switzer and if you look at any bit of history you would know it is more likely to happen then not…. Sure no one knows because percentages are only an estimation but its all we got….I am not scared of it happening but I am not going to pretend like it wont either….All I say is if you are going to replace him, you best get something equal or better otherwise you just traded a corvette for a ford focus….To bring up Switzer is moot, he was in hot water and had no choice with the mess of a program he ran…… BS is a top 5 head coach in college football….Is he above OU football ….hell no… But he deserves a chance to right the ship…
Don’t know how you can defend OUnranked
All I will say is the season was disappointing but they aren’t as far as some might think…. 3 of the 5 losses should be of been won… But I am looking to defend THIS season, I am defending the 16 seasons as a whole… He deserves a chance… Thats all I am saying….
I understand you… I was just considering that OU can do better.
This is the longest tenure of a coach at OU without an NC since pre-1950… the clock is certainly ticking and we have been regressing IMO… Chase for 8 in 2015…
BOOMER!
Well said…. SOONER!!
I get the whole “the last 16 years has been great” mantra. I do. However, if you look at the numbers that were posted here somewhere yesterday, Bob’s win percentage is trending downward drastically. Like seriously bad. If this were the stock market, we’d all be selling right now to try and get a little something out of our investment.
The 90’s had a WHOLE lot more to do with the sanctions then it did with the coaches…
couldn’t agree more.
Strong fired 2 coaches today. What is Bob doing??
Relaxing with the fam.
My thoughts exactly!
Gary Patterson to replace Stoops? Discuss.
Don’t tease. That’s just mean.
God that would be sweet. Can you imagine his defense in crimson and cream? I can.
I would take Patterson in two seconds.
Please Bob make those changes!
Remember that TCU gave up 61 points to Baylor this year, including 24 in the fourth quarter to lose the game.
Gary Patterson would hitchhike to Norman today for the OU job.
Esco you’re a GD genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2yLE6eaxwI
Agree. When Bob leaves, get Justin Fuente. Any coach that can turn Memphis into a winner, can turn OU into a champion.
If you want to know what has happened to our once great team, just read the interview Mike Stoops did with Hoover a few weeks ago. (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/johnehoover/john-e-hoover-mike-stoops-finally-gets-defensive/article_5a792d7c-9713-5d5e-99b5-caf142144b56.html?_dc=720826722914.353).
This coaching staff clearly does not have an edge anymore. We do not strike fear into our opponents. We do not have swagger. We do not play like OU. This swagger starts at the top. Ask Barry Switzer. The Stoops brothers no longer represent OU greatness. They used to be great, but now they are just average. Average and sometimes good is not acceptable at OU.
We need to be excellent every single year. We need to win the big games. We won the Sugar Bowl last year, but we were not champions. We have not been champions in a long time. Someone needs to feed the monster, and it certainly is not coming from the brothers that are occupying the coaching offices at OU.
I hate to break the news, but finding a great coach is as big of a crap shoot as recruiting the next great Heisman winning QB. It is hard to do. Lots of factors enter into how successful a new coach might be and some of it is just blind luck.
John Blake isn’t a good example. At the time Blake was hired the OU AD’s office was a mess. Essentially we were leaderless and there was lots of infighting among former Wilkinson and Switzer factions. OU is in much better shape now than with Joe “C” at the helm.
However, what has happened over the past few years is not a good sign. Bob’s recruiting has dropped off. He isn’t bringing the top talent as he did earlier and that has had a great impact on what he puts on the field. If, he doesn’t get it turned around and quickly then the gradual slide will continue until the talent cupboard is really bare. He leaves when we are really down and then your new head coach starts out in a real hole.
I’m for Bob doing what is necessary to bring some excitement back into his program. Get rid of the deadwood and bring in some new energetic and creative Coordinators who can both recruit and coach. If he doesn’t get this mess straightened up in another year or so then we could just fall into a John Blake type hole. Kids today aren’t limited to a handful of great traditional programs anymore. There are plenty of great programs out there today and there are plenty of choices.
The odds of OU hiring another John Blake are pretty slim. The odds of this program dropping way down aren’t so slim if Bob can’t turn it around.
Well…..so much for that SEC dominance and all that. TCU 42, Ole Miss 3. Gotta hand it to those SEC defenses…..
Gary Patterson! Maybe the best defensive mind in college. The magic he could work in Norman when Bob steps down.
Jordan I agree this time because the leadership at the top is different then the Blake era. That being said OU football has been defined by great coaches. If the program was bigger than Bud, Barry or Bob, then the program would have been pushed to greatness during the era’s when others were coaches. Point to era of sustained greatness when OU didn’t have a hall of fame coach.
I suggest you look up Bennie Owen sometime.
Here’s one for you…the only coaching era that had a 100% win percentage was 1896 when we had NO COACH. Maybe that’s what we should try. Of course, that switch based on one season over 100 years ago would be ridiculous. Same goes for comparing future performance based on past coaching changes. It is a different era.
EVERYONE is replaceable, especially Bob Stoops.
I didn’t say Stoops wasn’t replaceable – I just said that programs don’t sustain greatness, coaches sustain greatness. Notre Dame is the classic example, their arrogance made them believe a HS coach could win at the program. I don’t subscribe to the idea that the program is bigger than the coach, the program is a reflection of the coach. Programs have history and tradition, winning comes with coaching.
There is literally nothing in the above post that I agree with.
History has shown when teams fire a successful coach, the following era is less than stellar. It’s not a matter of returning to the Blake days (because I don’t think the program will ever fall to that point again), it a matter of falling to the wayside and becoming a perennial mediocre program.
Historically, when a team loses a winning coach (whether through resignation, retirement or termination), the following product suffers. Here are a few of the bigger names:
Tennessee – Fired Phil Fulmer (a one time national title winner). They became an absolute horrid program and are just now seeing any signs of life.
Notre Dame – How many coaches/years did they go through before becoming relevant again?
Nebraska – They just did it again, firing a winning coach that didn’t ‘win enough’. It would suck to be a Husker fan.
Michigan – Maybe Harbaugh will right the ship, but look what they’ve gone through since Carr left.
There are plenty more examples, and I happen to think Texas will remain average under Strong, but it could be the right hire. I can’t think of many (if any) teams that were able to remain status quo after losing a winning coach. It just hasn’t proven to happen that way.
The question isn’t “will the program fall to Blake-like production?”, the question is “are we willing to suffer through seasons worse than this one for a chance at finding the right guy?”
I don’t know the answer to that question, but I’m not ready to get rid of Stoops either. I’ve certainly moved closer to the thought of “it’s time for him to go”, but I’m willing to at least give him a chance to make changes.
Oregon is fine after Kelly left…..
So far, they are.
It’s a little early to know how that will work out. The starting QB and Heisman trophy winner, was Kelly’s guy. So, we’ll see how they look when he’s gone. I’m not convinced that they will continue at the same level.
Then there’s the fact that Oregon has never won a title.
Other than Oregon, in it’s second year post-Kelly, who else has maintained success?
Valid point…I’m just judging on where they are now. I guess time will tell if they remain there.
LSU did all right after Saban with Miles. Ohio State did all right after firing Tressel (spelling?) and a year with Fickel when they hired Meyer. FSU is doing all right post-Bowden with Fisher.
Think Alabama. After the “Bear” the Tide hired Ray Perkins and Bill Curry their combined record was 61-28-1 over 7 seasons until they hire Gene Stallings and won another national championship winning over 80% of his games.
Following Stallings Alabama hired Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione and Mike Shula. Their combined record was 67-54 over ten seasons.
Over 17 seasons between the Tide’s national championship coaches they hired 5 coaches that won 69% of their games, slightly better than Gary Gibbs 65%.
We’re already a perennially mediocre team.
Happy New Year! Sheesh.
BINGO! Well said & my exact sentiments. I find it hypocritical that the same over-exaggerations about the program being a dumpster fire/or at least parallel to bad ones seems to be ok with some.
No, we won’t go back to Blake years ‘unless’ some of these manic depressant/win at all costs fans were to get their wish & hire another coach that gets us in deep trouble like Switzer did.
Yes, there are problems….serious ones at a few key positions. But to act like it’s a step from us being irrelevant in CFB is laughable.
Just make sure if he’s replaced we get someone who’s name starts with “B”…That should really help our chances. 🙂
Stoops being fired is not necessary. I should’ve stayed off the internet for another 8 months…
I think many of you are in the labor force versus owing your own business. …this is a bussiness(athletics )…sorry this is real world
this means we have a fat cat ceo who is not in tune with his employees (coaches) nor his customers (fan base) look at the nfl they cleaned house but when your owner (Boren)is your ceo’s bestest buddy it drags on for years….football begins and ends on the lines and with a poureous defense and unpredictable QB you have a disease slowly eating away at your program……social media from Twitter to ESPN magnifies the disease scaring away talent…
you either cure a disease or you remove it that’s the bottom line
OU is on life support. ..either we come out of the coma or we pull the plug…..now what….hey coach thanks for all the shiny trinkets it’s time to move on a mutual agreement such as what they have at San Francisco is the only way this team is going to get back on.track…you’ve got previous players backstabbing coaches…thats a recipe for disaster ..btw losing a high-energy coach like Vennables was the biggest mistake Stoops ever made….second was bringing back mike stoops losing so many games at home and then getting blown out by Clemson should have been the last straw….
I expect very few if any changes at Oklahoma….my alma mater is not getting one more dime from me
I agreed with almost all of what you said, except the part about Venables. Venables sucked as a DC here too. What has made Mike Stoop’s season so bad was his overreliance on soft zone coverage, which is the same reason we got rid of Venables in the first place. Anytime that could throw the ball would shred his defense too.
Also, our decline in recruiting on defense started long before Mike came back. BV was a highly overrated recruiter. Not to say he didn’t bring in some good players. Just not the dearth of NFL talent that some revisionist historians claim he did. Remember how bare the cupboard was in D line when Mike came back?
Excellent post, Jordan. Let me take that a step further. I am much more afraid of what OU will be like if Bob is on the sidelines next year. This season was worse than mediocre, which is what we’ve been for some time now. I could see us losing to a team like Kansas next year…
Joe C would hire a new coach based on merit. Duncan & Owens hired cronies. Big difference. If there is a quality coach out there, Joe C will find him.
Thanks, Jordan. The John Blake doomsday idea is just idiotic.
They won’t fire Bob so the discussion is silly. Almost as silly as labeling Bob as legendary. But there’s nothing inappropriate about being concerned that we are trending in the wrong direction. Moreover, if it continues things will get worse so far as fan sentiment is concerned.
I don’t want to see Bob forced to make changes. I do want to see Bob decide for himself that changes must be made. That’s the indicator, what does Bob do of his own initiative.
To me it’s like investing. The risk is holding too long or selling too soon. But you still have to make a decision every day, because doing nothing is a decision.
Play Like A Champion TODAY –
Enough said.
Either take the sign down or measure up to the SOONER STANDARD
The simple fact of the matter is since the Orange bowl loss to Florida our Sooner program has a very negative trend line. As bad as this 8-5 season was there’s a good chance next year will be worse.
Not sure I see the risk in making a new hire. Color me skeptical that Bob at 54 and a very wealthy man is going to put in the hours at the office and on the recruiting trail to turn it around. Not sure he will fire his brother either and Mike is an abject failure this time around.
We have allowed 28 points a game in conference since his return plus 30+ at home to ND and 40+ to A$M in the Cotton Bowl.
I agree with Jordan there is a risk in a change but there is risk in the status quo as well.