Add Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops to the growing list of coaches who think the defensive substitution rule proposal is ridiculous. Stoops agrees that there is a lack of information to support the player safety angle of the proposed rule that has been on the receiving end of constant criticism since first reported.
“Bottom line, there’s no evidence to support that it’s unsafe,” Stoops told The Oklahoman on Friday.
“The offense is capable of operating without substitution, in all downs and distances,” Stoops said. “If they’re able to adjust to keep the same personnel on the field, they ought to be able to use whatever pace they want to. And the defense ought to be able to adjust.”
Stoops joins a vocal army of coaches speaking out against the proposed rule. Other coaches to speak out against the proposal include Arizona’s Rich Rodriguez, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Baylor’s Art Briles. Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema supports the rule, and has caught plenty of criticism for the way he has addressed it as well.