Steve Spurrier has reacted to the news that his long-time friend and former colleague, Bob Stoops, has decided to retire.

“It was a surprise, but not a complete shock,” Spurrier said in a statement. “Bobby always indicated he wasn’t going to coach forever. There is life after coaching and once he decided the time was right, he was going to move on. He wanted to go out at the right time and he feels good about where the program is right now. He has left a good team for Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma program.”

Spurrier hired Stoops as Florida’s defensive coordinator in 1996, the season of UF’s first ever national championship. Stoops only remained in Gainesville two more seasons, but formed a close bond with Spurrier during the time. The two have neighboring beach houses in Crescent Beach, Fla.

Spurrier’s son, Steve Spurrier Jr., would later follow Stoops to Oklahoma, serving as wide receivers coach on the Sooners’ 2000 national championship staff. Spurrier Jr. returned to OU in 2016 in an off-field role. The older Spurrier even skipped a Florida home game last season to go visit Stoops and son for Oklahoma’s game against Ohio State in Norman.