For whatever segment of Sooner Nation that has an issue with Bob Stoops’ being its head coach, you’re going to be thoroughly disappointed with the following news.
In a release sent out Thursday, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the contract of the Sooners head coach will be extended through the 2020 season. The extension is pending the OU Board of Regents taking formal action, which will likely come at a September meeting.
Stoops’ current contract, agreed to in 2011, is scheduled to run through the 2018 season.
“I appreciate the University’s commitment to our program and me,” Stoops said in a statement. “Most coaches dream of working in the kind of situation that exists at Oklahoma, especially with leaders like President Boren and [athletic director] Joe Castiglione. We’re proud of what we have accomplished to this point and look forward to achieving a lot more.”
What Stoops and the Sooners have accomplished in his 14 seasons in Norman is 149 wins; eight Big 12 championships, including five of the last seven; eight BCS/Bowl Alliance/Bowl Coalition bids; four title game appearances; and one national championship in 2000. With nine wins this season, Stoops would eclipse Barry Switzer as the all-time winningest head coach in OU’s storied history.
OU also noted in its release that Stoops is the only active coach with a winning percentage higher than 80 percent with 14 uninterrupted seasons on the FBS level.
Additionally, Stoops, previously known as “Big Game Bob” but who has come under fire recently for his lack of living up to that moniker, reached 100 coaching victories faster than any NCAA Division I coach in the modern era.
“Anytime I look at Bob Stoops on our sideline surrounded by our student-athletes and coaches, I’m reminded of the truly exceptional coach he has become,” said Castiglione. “Whether it’s his inspirational leadership, his passion for the game or consistently putting his team in the best position to be successful, his character and steely resolve continue to make him the right person to lead us to success in the future.
“Coach Stoops has become one of college football’s iconic figures yet he is a selfless man who remains focused on winning championships adding to our program’s great legacy. Against that backdrop he has also quietly embraced the role of serving others and encourages similar values amongst his players and staff. I am proud to have worked with him continuously for 15 years and excited we can extend our relationship with him. We will continue to build on the incredibly strong foundation and tradition which exists at the University of Oklahoma and pursue the many great things we want to accomplish in the coming years.”
Any financial adjustments involved in the new deal were not released, and likely won’t be until the September board meeting. In 2012, Stoops was paid $4.55 million, and was the third-highest paid head coach behind Alabama’s Nick Saban ($5.5 million) and Texas’ Mack Brown ($5.3 million).