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Players put success on Stoops
OU coach aiming for third straight Big 12 title
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Remember the 1990s when Oklahoma football was awfully mediocre? Those days are getting harder to see now through the mountain of wins, conference champions and All-Americans coach Bob Stoop has built.
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Stoops enters his 10th season in Norman, Okla., this fall with another team favored to win the Big 12 Conference and be in the hunt for a national title. It would be the third Big 12 title in a row for Stoops, who figures to celebrate his 100th victory as coach of the Sooners by the end of September.
In compiling a 97-22 career record at OU beginning in 1999, Stoops has never lost more than five games in one season, and that happened just once, in his first season on the job. He made up for it in Year Two by winning the national championship.
Despite all that success, some still find things about which to nitpick and complain. This year it is the fact the Sooners have lost four of their past five bowl games, with all four losses coming in Bowl Championship Series games.
Three players who accompanied Stoops to Big 12 media days on Wednesday each had a little different take on what makes the program consistently successful. But each said it all comes back to Stoops, who will turn 48 on Sept. 9 and could still have another 20 years or more in coaching ahead of him.
"Coach Stoops' attitude is attack it," wide receiver Manuel Johnson said. "If you're not going to attack it then why do it?
"I think everybody thinks coach Stoops is more of a laid-back guy. I think he's more hands on. He likes to actually go out there and coach and help his players out rather than sitting back and letting his coaches do the job."
All-Big 12 senior safety Nic Harris said Stoops has gained a reputation as a players' coach over the years because of his willingness to listen to what players have to say and not always ruling with an iron fist. It has helped him recruit better players each year.
However, Stoops has the respect of players because he holds them accountable, Harris said.
"He draws a very, very dark, deep line with that," he said. "Once you cross that boundary, it's a whole different coach. You've got to stay on the one side and understand what you're doing and give him 100 percent each and every day."
Senior center Jon Cooper grew up in Fort Collins rooting for Colorado State and could have become a Ram or a Buff when he was recruited four years ago. He chose to go with Stoops, where immediate playing time was uncertain.
Cooper said he joined a program that is second to none in offseason weight lifting and conditioning and a team with a family feel.
"We're close-knit guys," Cooper said. "I think that's one of the big things is growing the trust for each other and keeping things consistent."
Another Baylor
makeover
New Baylor coach Art Briles delivered his first version of what has become a familiar refrain from Baylor football since the formation of the Big 12.
"When people talk about Baylor, we want them to take notice and to listen," Briles said. "It's easy lip service. It's something we've got to prove on the field.
"What we have to do is change the image of Baylor football."
Doing so has proven difficult. Briles is Baylor's fourth coach since the conference was formed. The other three --- Dave Roberts, Kevin Steele and Guy Morriss --- combined to go 31-94.
The Bears haven't been to a bowl game since losing the Alamo Bowl to Washington State in 1994 and they haven't won a bowl since beating Arizona in the 1992 Sun Bowl, legendary coach Grant Teaff's final game.
Baylor fans can find reasons to believe Briles might be the man to resurrect a once-proud program. He has made good on other reclamation projects, most recently at Houston. Briles admitted when he was considering taking the Baylor job last winter, his daughter told him not to and he ignored the advice.
"I like to walk down paths nobody else wants to walk down," he said.
Cyclones developing
Iowa State coach Gene Chizik became the second Big 12 coach this week to point to a win over Colorado last season as a turning point for his team. Kansas coach Mark Mangino also singled out beating the Buffs as the moment when momentum began to build for the 2007 Jayhawks.
Colorado coaches and players, meanwhile, came away from both games feeling like they allowed victories to slip away.
Chizik pulled no punches Wednesday saying the Cyclones' 3-9 season last fall was "unacceptable." He said the foundation has been laid for improvement but he also warned of more growing pains.
"We don't have a lot of players that 'Add water, instant player.' So we have to do a lot of developing," he said.
Notable
The Big 12 website (big12sports.com) will debut a new look and expanded content on Aug.1. Conference officials said the goal is for the league to do a better job of telling its stories. The Big 12 hired longtime sports writer Wendell Barnhouse, who will be allowed to write critical stories. The league also has agreements in place with television partners to use highlight packages on the site and produce other video content.
Posted by bigbyrd97 on July 24, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess that means he wont be getting any tips from lil Bo and the bugeaters.
Posted by extrapoint on July 24, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall seems to have forgot who won last year's game against Stoops....... and in keeping with Tall's style.......Hawk is undefeated against Stoops.
Posted by BuffsIn2007 on July 24, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawk's teams are 2-1 vs. Stoops ... although Hawk had just left the first team to beat OU.
Posted by BuffsIn2007 on July 24, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gigantic difference in talent on the teams from when Stoops took over OU and when Hawk took over CU. Blake was a great recruiter who couldn't coach a lick. Barnett's recruiting was poor his last few years (not all his fault), although he was a very good game-day coach.
Posted by extrapoint on July 24, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe it was Barnett maybe it was Watson but I saw very few "during the game" adjustments on offense. This was especially glaring, of course, when it was needed.
Posted by SnowBuff on July 24, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Barnett was an awful game day coach. He had his moments, but you don't go 2-10 against top ranked teams with superior game day coaching...
Posted by flabuff227 on July 24, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kenneth must be a ou fan today. Who will it be tomorrow?
Posted by rodrigo on July 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You do have to give Stoops cred. His success speaks for itself. But, not everybody shares kenny's man crush:
from cnn/si:
No More Big Game Bob
Stoops, when he was winning national championships, was known as "Big Game Bob." But some fans have adopted other nicknames since he's lost four straight BCS games. The coach has said he might re-examine the way he approaches bowl opponents.
"In the end, it's a situation there isn't any easy answer to," he said.
Posted by BuffNut99 on July 24, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stoops is a great coach, that is undeniable. But nobody has been able to explain their BCS problems.
CU's win over OU was huge on several levels, but it probably has affected recruiting the most so far. Think D Scott and others took notice of that game?
Well stated, SnowBuff - Barnett normally got outcoached, but would occasionally "have his moments." Hawkins has had a couple of moments that I would never like to see repeated (losing to Georgia last minute '06, blowing 21 pt lead at Iowa St. '07), but beating Oklahoma and Nebraska in the same year, no matter what year, doesn't happen by accident.
Posted by Black_Rob on July 24, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Colorado is up today:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/748355.html
Posted by bufflover on July 24, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tall, shut up, no one likes you. and plus shouldnt you hate oklahoma?
Posted by bufflover on July 24, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
colorado was undefeated against the "powerful" south last year, and what did your huskers do against the south last year. your boys are not big boys yet either.
Posted by rodrigo on July 24, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually kenny, here is exactly what scout said, in their own words, not your twisted interpretation:
"While it's easy to get impatient when things aren't improving quickly enough, there is light at the end of the tunnel. This was a young team last year, and it's getting even younger this season with a good recruiting class expected to upgrade a few areas like linebacker and running back, while QB Cody Hawkins is maturing into a good one who'll just need a little more seasoning."
Posted by Black_Rob on July 24, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's going to be a fun season for sure. Tough for everybody.
Posted by BuffNut99 on July 24, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please everybody, ignore Tallisall - you are simply providing his entertainment when you respond to him.
Unless of course he actually engages in meaningful conversation/debate, not his usual baiting.
Posted by bouldabuff on July 24, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seattle_Buff - thanks for the link to that article but I don't think I have ever read a more overly dramatic mis-informed article in my life.
"With a new head coach, Colorado State is going to be tougher than ever to get past in the always nasty season-opener" -WHAT? New head coach, new plays, new system, better team? Ok
" Are there any healthy, live bodies on the O line?" -Did I miss something here as well?
"but now the division is turning into a monster with Kansas becoming a powerhouse" -A powerhouse? One year without UT or OU on the schedule and four non-con cupcakes.
"there's a chance that any window of opportunity to become a major North player in the near future could be shutting, if it's not already slammed shut." -Just a little dramatic.
Pete Fiutak - who is this douche? If you have a chance, write him an email at pete@collegefootballnews.com - give him a hard time for these comments.
Posted by extrapoint on July 24, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nice try tall
we are CSU's biggest target.
The first game of the season is always a shakeout.
I remember your mighty pusskers having some fits on several of their opening season eclairs in years past. I am still taking WM and the points.
Posted by BuffsIn2007 on July 24, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall, Bill McCartney went 4-0 vs. Texas, and Rick Neuheisel 2-0 for six straight CU victories against the Longhorns. Gary Barnett went 1-5, but the one was a big one.
Posted by rodrigo on July 24, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
uh oh, BI2007, kenny gets cranky when someone makes a really valid point.
Posted by flabuff227 on July 24, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pacific use to be their shakeout game. Until the program was discontinued!
Kenneth- you have no buisiness arguing strength of schedule.
Of course u wouldnt argue if you were a buff fan!
Mack brown has to prove he can win with his recruits! Vince youngs dont come every year!
Bob stoops- He has to prove he can win another bowl game. Even against those lowly wac teams!
Bo pe- Well he just has to win a game to prove experience.
Otherwise they all are on the "hot seat".
Posted by buffalo_flyer on July 30, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OU schedules teams that are so bad, Vegas won't even release a line for the game. Take away his recruiting advantage and his teams would all fare the same as his brothers Arizona squads. Overrated as they come
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