I've read that Bob has unknown heart problems. I've read the official statement with the curious wording that health was not a "deciding factor," in what was announced today.
I've read that Bob was told by members of the Board of Regents to fire his brother, and he refused.
I'v been told that Bob wants to watch his sons' senior year, and it occurred to me without reading about it, that he want to allow his sons to have a totally free decision, without anyone off in the darkness claiming they only got consideration from Oklahoma cause their daddy was head coach. Now, they can go where they want to go, without any extraneous issue. I've even read that they're both going to Northwestern, which is why Bob bought a place in Chicago in the last six months.
I've read that this has been in the works for six months, since before the bowl game, and it was just Bob picking the time to announce it.
Bob is a man who cares a ton about his family, and I do believe that his sons are a big factor in this decision. I expected it a year ago. And I believe the Bob truly did sense that this was the time to "pass the baton." BUT ...
I watched the two announcements. The first one by my favorite coach, standing publicly to paraphrase the written announcement, citing a whole lot of thank you's and not much specifically about why.
I watched Lincoln's announcement, and was struck by several things. One was that the moment looked a little overwhelming for him. As he talked about those who'd influenced his career, it lost his composure when he referenced Coach Stoops. Took close to a minute to compose himself. His voice box just went temporarily out of function. But two things he said, struck me. Majorly struck me. He talked about this coming together so quickly, that his parents couldn't be there. They would have otherwise. He mentioned how quickly it came together, one other time.
So the talk I'd heard and read earlier today makes no real sense in the speculation. This wasn't an orderly carefully planned transition. Perhaps Berry Tramel is to blame for that. He spilled beans prior to their being cooked well enough to eat. But we had this moment or two early when we knew it was coming, when Lincoln had not been announced as the new guy. Stoops was leaving. But we hadn't confirmed his replacement yet. That tell us that what was going on here came to pass abruptly behind the scenes. Just the fact that it didn't take place before spring practice, tells us something.
I don't know if Bob's heart really has changed enough to step down. Maybe there are just concerns. But if that were the case, I believe they'd have told us. They told us the opposite.
This sounds very much like the Board of Regents sticking its nose into football operations, and Bob telling them to stick it.
The clincher for me wasn't what I heard at the two announcements. It's what I saw, even if we turn down the sound. I saw the countenance of Joe Castiglione. I've never seen Joe C look like that, publicly. There was no smile. None of his trademark cheeriness.
I don't believe that Bob wanted to go, but I think he damn sure doesn't want some businessman with political clout in the board that runs the university, telling him how to run the football program. One can make the case that we all have a boss, for accountability. But the best bosses put great people in place and let them do the job they were hired to do. And if anybody has earned that freedom, even if you despise half of OUr defensive staff, Bob Stoops has earned it. Not a guy with political clout has the authority to give ultimatums. And Bob Stoops has earned the right to tell the guy to shove it.
I believe both happened. So with Drake and Isaac about to play their final seasons of high school football, the timing for Bob was just right.
I've read that Bob was told by members of the Board of Regents to fire his brother, and he refused.
I'v been told that Bob wants to watch his sons' senior year, and it occurred to me without reading about it, that he want to allow his sons to have a totally free decision, without anyone off in the darkness claiming they only got consideration from Oklahoma cause their daddy was head coach. Now, they can go where they want to go, without any extraneous issue. I've even read that they're both going to Northwestern, which is why Bob bought a place in Chicago in the last six months.
I've read that this has been in the works for six months, since before the bowl game, and it was just Bob picking the time to announce it.
Bob is a man who cares a ton about his family, and I do believe that his sons are a big factor in this decision. I expected it a year ago. And I believe the Bob truly did sense that this was the time to "pass the baton." BUT ...
I watched the two announcements. The first one by my favorite coach, standing publicly to paraphrase the written announcement, citing a whole lot of thank you's and not much specifically about why.
I watched Lincoln's announcement, and was struck by several things. One was that the moment looked a little overwhelming for him. As he talked about those who'd influenced his career, it lost his composure when he referenced Coach Stoops. Took close to a minute to compose himself. His voice box just went temporarily out of function. But two things he said, struck me. Majorly struck me. He talked about this coming together so quickly, that his parents couldn't be there. They would have otherwise. He mentioned how quickly it came together, one other time.
So the talk I'd heard and read earlier today makes no real sense in the speculation. This wasn't an orderly carefully planned transition. Perhaps Berry Tramel is to blame for that. He spilled beans prior to their being cooked well enough to eat. But we had this moment or two early when we knew it was coming, when Lincoln had not been announced as the new guy. Stoops was leaving. But we hadn't confirmed his replacement yet. That tell us that what was going on here came to pass abruptly behind the scenes. Just the fact that it didn't take place before spring practice, tells us something.
I don't know if Bob's heart really has changed enough to step down. Maybe there are just concerns. But if that were the case, I believe they'd have told us. They told us the opposite.
This sounds very much like the Board of Regents sticking its nose into football operations, and Bob telling them to stick it.
The clincher for me wasn't what I heard at the two announcements. It's what I saw, even if we turn down the sound. I saw the countenance of Joe Castiglione. I've never seen Joe C look like that, publicly. There was no smile. None of his trademark cheeriness.
I don't believe that Bob wanted to go, but I think he damn sure doesn't want some businessman with political clout in the board that runs the university, telling him how to run the football program. One can make the case that we all have a boss, for accountability. But the best bosses put great people in place and let them do the job they were hired to do. And if anybody has earned that freedom, even if you despise half of OUr defensive staff, Bob Stoops has earned it. Not a guy with political clout has the authority to give ultimatums. And Bob Stoops has earned the right to tell the guy to shove it.
I believe both happened. So with Drake and Isaac about to play their final seasons of high school football, the timing for Bob was just right.
