Reactions: Bob Stoops’ stunning decision to retire catches the college football world by surprise
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A slow day in college football news picked up in a hurry following the news that Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops plans to retire effective immediately in Norman. The Sooners are expected to promote 33-year-old offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley as the program’s next head coach.
Stoops’ decision to retire was first reported by Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman. Known for his success against the SEC, ironically enough, Stoops last career win will come against Auburn in the 2017 Sugar Bowl.
The stunning news caught the college football world ablaze on Twitter late Wednesday afternoon:
Stoops was the longest tenured head coach in the FBS. New leader is Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, who probably just received another extension.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) June 7, 2017
Worth remembering how Stoops' coaching role model, Steve Spurrier, went out.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 7, 2017
My guess is Stoops is leaving for the same reason his mentor, Spurrier, left #Gators: just done steering the battleship. #BoomerSooner
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) June 7, 2017
Lincoln Riley is 33. Bud Wilkinson was 31 when he took over at #OU. Chuck Fairbanks was 34; Barry Switzer was 36 & Bob Stoops was 39.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) June 7, 2017
Bob Stoops won 10 Big 12 titles, the NATTY and went 190-48 at Oklahoma.
And the Sooners may not miss a beat with Lincoln Riley.
— Braden Gall (@BradenGall) June 7, 2017
Bill Snyder has truly outlasted them all
— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) June 7, 2017
Active college football coaches that have won a national championship:
Saban
Fisher
Swinney
Meyer— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) June 7, 2017
Barry Switzer to #ESPN on Stoops' retirement: "To me, it's like you calling me and saying I've had dealings with Russia. Is this fake news?"
— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) June 7, 2017
Lincoln Riley was a full-time WR coach at 23. He's now OU's HC at 33. His rise is remarkably rapid, and he's prepared for it the whole way.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) June 7, 2017
Appropriate that Bob Stoops' final win came against an SEC team in the Sugar Bowl
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) June 7, 2017
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
