My thoughts on the reasons why I think Bob decided to retire

[bullmarket]

1. He is obviously extremely financially sound making millions every year for 18 seasons
2. I think Bob was sick of the criticism he faced about allowing Mixon to remain on the OU team
Bob's character was attacked by guys like talk show hosts like Paul Feinbaum who represented the SEC
I think Feinbaum was jealous of Bob's successes vs. the SEC. Bob was undefeated vs. Alabama in his OU career being 3-0 and he was 26-7 in his OU career vs. the SEC including Texas A&M and Missouri who joined the SEC from the Big 12.
Feinbaum also attacked the Big 12.
3. Bob wanted to pick a good time to retire to turn over the reins when OU was having successes.
OU in the last two seasons finished in the top 5 with a fine Bowl win last season over a good Auburn team.
4. Bob is approaching 60 (he is now 57) and he wanted to enjoy life outside of football when he is still young enough

Thanks Bob for all you have done for OU and for all Sooner fans. You have given us many magical moments. that we will never forget.

 

[OUSOONER67]

I blame the Russians, kidding. Seriously though I think he had enough a while back. Makes me wonder if Josh H was being groomed before Riley and Josh did not pan out. Had Josh survived the staff changes a couple of yrs ago would the Sooner Nation be ok with him being in the same spot as Riley taking over the reigns? I doubt it. I think he hand picked his successor or had it picked for him. The whole thing was wrapped up too nice to be a spur of the moment decision. I think this has been in the works since Riley set foot on campus.

 

[fortworth4ou2]

He realizes there's more to life than CFB He's already a HOFer even without another win.

 

[CTOkie]

1. He is obviously extremely financially sound making millions every year for 18 seasons
2. I think Bob was sick of the criticism he faced about allowing Mixon to remain on the OU team
Bob's character was attacked by guys like talk show hosts like Paul Feinbaum who represented the SEC
I think Feinbaum was jealous of Bob's successes vs. the SEC. Bob was undefeated vs. Alabama in his OU career being 3-0 and he was 26-7 in his OU career vs. the SEC including Texas A&M and Missouri who joined the SEC from the Big 12.
Feinbaum also attacked the Big 12.
3. Bob wanted to pick a good time to retire to turn over the reins when OU was having successes.
OU in the last two seasons finished in the top 5 with a fine Bowl win last season over a good Auburn team.
4. Bob is approaching 60 (he is now 57) and he wanted to enjoy life outside of football when he is still young enough

Thanks Bob for all you have done for OU and for all Sooner fans. You have given us many magical moments. that we will never forget.

If Stoops retired due to health issues, or partially due to health reasons, I believe he would have kept it confidential.
I do not believe Stoops was concerned with any criticism against him, be it from the fans or the media. That factor never was in play as far as I'm concerned because Stoops had to know that second guessing and criticism in general is part of being a head coach at a program like OU. I also believe Stoops' overhaul of his staff over the past 4 years was done by what Stoops himself saw as a necessary measure.....not because of outside pressure. The problem was staring him right in his face. No one had to tell him.
What I want to believe is that over the past two years, Stoops looked at where the program was going with the enhancements of the facilities and stadium expansion, an upsurge in recruiting over the past three years, the very positive overhaul of the coaching staff over the past 4 years (which gave recruiting a desperately needed shot in the arm) and figured that retirement this year would make for as smooth a transition as possible. This transition for Riley will be made even better with Stoops remaining at OU as advisor to Castiglione, at least for another year....which also means as advisor to Riley.
Now the questions I have are:
How will Riley's recruiting develop in the days before next February....especially in recruiting defensive talent ? I like the high scoring offenses OU has had, but not the porous defenses. Defense wins championships and OU has struggled in making critical stops and giving up big plays since the championship year of 2000, year in and year out. Is playing in a conference that features wide open offenses the only reason OU has had defensive problems ?
What is Riley's take on where the Big 12 is going over the next 3-5 years ? This question had to be a consideration in succeeding Stoops. I have said often that Big 12 membership limits OU and Texas (who has rendered harm to the Big 12 over the past 6 years with its LHN which helped chase away away ATM, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado). From all I have read and heard, OU is on a path to migrating to another conference eventually. The Big 12 is not going to add two or more top flight teams. That ship has sailed.
How many coaches will remain on the staff ? I think that the staff will remain intact for at least the 2017 season, but it's hard to say what will happen in 2018.

 

[CTOkie]

My source tells me that recruiting over the past 4 months (since national signing day) has been struggling because Stoops was obviously not going to be around that much longer and other schools were telling recruits that.......and it was effective.
Bob realized this and that played a part in his retirement decision.
Now let's see how recruiting goes with recruits KNOWING that OU has a young and capable coach who's going to be here for a while.
Maybe Tatum and Thompson, two Oklahoma kids, flip back to OU (?).

 

[Gramps]

My source tells me that recruiting over the past 4 months (since national signing day) has been struggling because Stoops was obviously not going to be around that much longer and other schools were telling recruits that.......and it was effective.
Bob realized this and that played a part in his retirement decision.
Now let's see how recruiting goes with recruits KNOWING that OU has a young and capable coach who's going to be here for a while.
Maybe Tatum and Thompson, two Oklahoma kids, flip back to OU (?).

Bull I think Stoops will coach again. College or pro .

 

[harolds]

Bull I think Stoops will coach again. College or pro .

I'm quite sure they are celebrating in Austin since Stoops retired.