Report: Mike Stoops in, Willie Martinez out at OU
Then University of Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops takes a look at the scoreboard in this Nov. 15, 2003 photo, during the first quarter of a Big 12 Conference game in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Jackson Laizure)
CAMPUS CORNER — Still waiting for resolution in the Mike Stoops sweepstakes, but the story is at least inching forward today.
A few minutes ago, ESPN reported that the deposed Arizona coach would return to Oklahoma as a co-defensive coordinator, along with Brent Venables. The report said it could officially happen as early as today, but I’m told not to expect any sort of announcement or release today.
All this has seemingly been headed in this direction for weeks — and, really, since he was fired. It’s become more and more evident that he wants to be back, and that OU would be fine with having him back to coach the secondary. Mike’s presence on the sideline at the Insight Bowl was the signal of all signals, even if brother Bob Stoops downplayed it.
I thought what Bob said the next day — that he’d like his brother back “in the right circumstances” — spoke volumes.
What’s the hold up? From everything I’ve gathered, Bob is trying to give current secondary coach Willie Martinez every opportunity to find another job before making the announcement that Mike is returning. It’s awkward, and becoming more awkward, but that’s the way these January things often go.
Martinez is being given the professional courtesy, but at some point Bob Stoops and OU are going to have to pull the trigger. With Signing Day approaching, I’m sure Bob would like to have the staff set for the final couple of weeks leading up to Feb. 1.
What’s made this thing go? First, it’s Mike’s desire to return. His name was connected to about a half-dozen jobs, and he surely would have landed one, if not for his interest in coming back to OU and again working with his brother.
Here’s an underrated idea that drove this: Venables was fine with it. Brent didn’t let his ego factor into this one bit, from what I understand, and he was always open to having Mike back on the staff. He put team success ahead of his official title or pride, or whatever. I found that interesting when I first heard it about a month ago, and I’ve heard it from several people since then.
The announcement is coming – and coming soon. Just doesn’t sound as if it’ll be today.
= Trav
Mike Stoops’ total defenses at OU
1999 — 39th – 344.4 yards per game
2000 — 8th – 278.9 ypg
2001 — 4th – 262.8 ypg
2002 — 10th – 293.1 ypg
2003 — 3rd – 259.6 ypg
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Comments
It seems to me to be too good to be true…but obviously….it probably IS true. The loss of Martinez will probably cost OU some recruits this year, but will pay dividends in the years to come. The Venables/Stoops defensive combo has proven itself to me.
Lastly, I think it will be a duo for years to come. You know Coach Venables has had some offers, but has been wise enough to know his limitations. Add that now Coach Mike has tasted the cruel world of heading up a major college team, he understands it is too much.
I especially like the idea of him heading up the DB’s. You know the deficiencies from 2011 will be a thing of the past.
You know why Brent’s okay with it?
Because he doesn’t have any other offers/opportunities.
Again.
Nice dude. Need new message.
Mike coming back will be great, but they’ve also got to recruit well. Look at the defensive lines for LSU and Alabama. OU’s line looks nothing like those monsters.
OU’s got to scheme better as well. Don’t do it because you like it (e.g. Venables adherence to certain strategies and personnel), do it because it works.
Yes times change. Yes people have adjusted to our offense and copied it just about everywhere. Yes these boys are getting old.
But I mean, what about Defending and Defenses have changed? Do people really think that Zona was able to recruit top flight talent to be able to execute Stoops’ scheme? Just read the above and see where those D’s ranked nationally and where we’ve headed since.
Venables isn’t the problem. Bob isn’t the problem. They just seemed to gel together. Is there any reason to think they won’t again? We’ll see
This is one large step in improving the OU D.
Now they need to hire a Special Teams Coach.
And Heupel needs to drop some acid and let his offensive imagination run wild. With a Senior QB and many experienced players, that offense needs to make other teams uncertain as to what is coming at them.
It will be very interesting to see if Mike’s return will improve the defense. Where has OU’s defense been ranked since he left?
Improved D, returning QB, no major injuries, and a spark of that sooner magic, could add up to another National Championship.
Boomer Sooner!
I don’t know how many of you guy’s watched the National Championship game but when they were spotlighting the Defense for Alabama almost everyone of those kids that played for the defense were from ALABAMA none ZERO were from Texas I think maybe one or two were from Florida but the majority of those kids were from the State of Alabama imagine what would happen if more of the Sooners were from our great State of Oklahoma there were a bunch of those kids on the 1999,the 2000 National Title team and 2001 team from our great state don’t get me wrong I know those kids from Texas can play ball but I often wonder if any of those players realize the importance of Sooner Football? Just a thought.
Venables isn’t complaining because everyone was calling for his head at the end of the season. In my opinion, Venebles hasn’t left because he hasn’t been offered a better opportunity and the likelihood of getting a better position if he is let go will decrease dramatically. While I like the fact that Stoops is attempting to address the problems on defense, I am not sure that Mike Stoops is the answer for OU. This situation should be interesting as we move forward.
Dennis, Oklahoma has nowhere near the level of talent that Alabama has. Alabama did’t play so well because they have Alabama kids, Alabama played so well because they have talented kids.
OU desperately needs a special teams guru coach…and has for years. Mike coming back will be a very good thing. It does need to happen fast, though, regarding the recruiting issue.
Some of the comments above about talent level ring true. One example: Alabama has about 4 linebackers with the physical talents of Ronnell Lewis. OU had one, and now he’s gone. Also look at their running backs and O-linemen. OU should kill to have even their backup tailback #42 Lacy (a 6-foot 220 bruiser). For some reason OU never recruits 220 lb tailbacks anymore. SEC teams have those bruisers 3 deep.
As for the hiring of Mike Stoops … I don’t know that he is the answer but I’m still all for it for one reason. It’s an upgrade. I’d rather have Mike coaching the DBs than Martinez. At least Bob is moving in the right direction with his staff after taking backwards steps with his last 2 hires (Kittle and Martinez).
Im excited about this as we all are. I have no doubt that it will improve our defense.
I actually think we should drop the “Co” business and make him DC. Let Brent keep the linebackers and he could coordinate the special teams full time. More off Bob’s plate too. win-win.
As far as offense… Those of you calling for “more imagination” have got it wrong. We have too much imagination as it is with not enough intensity. We need to get back to the basics, run the football, keep our defense on the sideline and pick our moments for “imagination”. It is overrated anyways. Football is still about blocking and tackling.
Venable is a good coach who has been around a top program long enough to have had better offers (Head Coach) somewhere. Even his Alma Mater (K-State) didn’t want him. Whats the problem with Coach V?
Welcome back Mike…..
Free Willie!!!!!
Stoops needs to get over the “Spurrier” mentality of throwing the ball at every opportunity and more of an NFL style of Offensive Balance. His recent recruiting suggests he is still infatuated with his Florida days. Maybe Mike can bring some sanity back to OU and more of an emphasis on Defense.
I think Venables is essentially a “yes” man for Bob, whereas Mike will voice his opinion and Bob will actually listen.
A lot of schools have wanted Brent, but none of the top ones. Brent has been smart not to go to a sitution where it is difficult to have success like the schools where so many other OU coaches have left for… and been fired. Brent is still young. He will get a good job and be successful…
The biggest problem has been defense the last several years with the exception of 2009, when the offense had to do some major rebuilding. Think of this year when we scored 38 pts in two losses. With a great D that should have been plenty of pts for a easy win, and that is not accounting for scoring opportunities a great D will give you. I hope Mike hasn’t lost his mojo, and kudos to Brent for not letting his ego get in the way.
it’s time……time to kick some big-boy butts…..time to win with real, smash- mouth, lock-down in your face defense.
How were the Arizona defenses statistically the last few years? Can’t Bob get OU back without having to hire his brother back and can’t Mike get a job? Apparently not. Smells like nepotism to me. Is Mike the best he can get? Mike never faced the spread offenses at OU other than Tech. So his stats will not be the same. If you say it is the players, then it was the players that made the defense when you thought it was Mike.
…….just wondering…….any possibility that Venables is just biding his time until Kansas State is ready to replace Bill Snyder ? i read the one comment that said K-State doesn’t want Brent Venables. huh ????
i am happy happy happy that Mike Stoops is back in Norman. but i also wonder just how long it will be before the kitchen is too crowded for 2 head chefs?
I would like to see Mike back. I also noticed that both Bama and LSU didn’t heavily recruit from Texas. As far as recruiting Mike would be a huge plus. I can’t help but wonder how much influence Mike would have about the amount of time the defense is on the field and the possibility of influencing his brother to understand the importance of a balanced offense. Texas is recruited heavily because they practice year round. They refer to it as an athletic period or off season, but it is football practice. In most schools it is the third period of the day. During the football season it adds up two practices a day.
Welcome back Mike, brother Bob needs all the help he can get.
Not only on defense, but making staff selections. Get’r'done.
Travis, dude, I know you’re early on the beat but this ain’t the first time Mike Stoops has been on the sidelines of a game coached by big brother Bob. Yea, it appears that Mike is coming back to the staff but you should research a little history before making yourself look silly by making a sidline appearance look like it’s sealed the deal.
Finally, an Oklahoma Sportswriter that makes sense. What a welcome relief. Unlike Berry Trammel, ugh.
You have to have talented, skilled players who must be coached and motivated – it is not an either or – it takes both. BV and Mike will be an awesome combination. They have had a long history of working together. BV has had a stretch of having to deal with injuries on defense and the complications of dealing with injuries on offense which put the defense on the field too much. Who complained about the first 6 wins this year or last year?
What I noticed about the Bama defense is the fitness of their players and their size, athleticism, and speed AND the constant INTENSITY they played with. They didn’t take downs off. EVERY play was challenged – like do or die…that’s the way Switzer’s defenses played and Mike Stoops defenses at OU played that way. Linemen down with butts wiggling in the air waiting for the snap. iNTENSITY. We saw it at FSU and when we played Texas. The D didn’t even show up at OSU. And BU KILLED us. Of course, we were injuried plagued by this time.
Not evey coach wants to be a head coach, a college coach, or an NFL coach. Sometimes it is about timing and the right opportunity, sometimes because you just like what you are doing. Mike is a great recruiter. We will gain more in the long run than we lose. If there is a talent deficit, it will be addressed. while Bob and BV may have lost some of their fire on the sideline, Mike still has it…even during the losing streak Zona hit before he was fired. And what did firing him do for Zona….I think they won 1 game after he was fired. His players played for him….the talent level wssn’t what we have at OU, and he faced the injury bug, too.
Welcome back Mike….we have missed ye!
Dear Mike, please show 5 Million Dollar Bob how to win games on a consistent basis. Please cuss out Venables every week. Please smack Bob in the face when he allows for mediocre coaching during games. And Please fix the Sooner defense.
Dear SpongeBobPiggyBank,
IDIOT! Win on a consistent basis? Count the all the coaches you want with over a 100 games coached, and you aren’t going to find many with a better winning percentage……..dumba##!
Quit sniffing glue or your own a$$, and face reality!
Hey Rod Stewart.. Can’t you post a comment without using words you yourself don’t know the meaning of? Can’t you look up the statistics of the Arizona d under the Stoops era yourself? Apparently not.
Maybe the offenses aren’t the same as they use to be in the Big 12, but don’t you think that Mike is aware of that? Their not the same as the current SEC offenses either, but that’s where we dragged Martinez from…
Who knows for certain if Mike could find another job or not? Maybe you should ask Stoops yourself. Your right about one thing though; Bob does need to get OU back. These 10 win seasons just aren’t characteristic enough of OU’s winning ways, so thanks for non-directly pointing that out.
Now go do yourself a favor and go wake up Maggie so she can tell you what nepotism really smells like.
Andy, this may not have been Mikes first time on the OU sideline since leaving Oklahoma. But it’s different when he doesn’t have a current job and is noted as coaching up players don’t you think? Jake trotter himself wrote today that It’s all but been announced. So give Trav a break.. I’m sure he has a closer eye to the inside than any of us commenting on his blogs.
[...] prodigal son returneth. The University of Oklahoma is expected to announce that Mike Stoops will return as co-defensive coordinator of the Fighting Sooners, presumably replacing epic disaster Willie Martinez. Sooner nation [...]
Together Bob and Mike make the perfect Head Football Coach. The Sooner Magic we expereinced in the early days of the Stoops era, left when Mike left. Woo Hoo, can’t wait for the return of both.
RodS.isDumb, Having been a journalist myself for more than 20 years, I’m smart enough to know that you don’t go out on a limb and speculate something is going to happen just because someone is on the sidelines where they have been before and the sighting is surely not the “signal of all signals” as Travis wrote. “Mike’s presence on the sideline at the Insight Bowl was the signal of all signals.” I have no doubt at all the Mike Stoops is coming back to OU’s staff. That wasn’t my point. Signal of all signals, not some signals but all…come on. As far as insight goes, I’m guessing I have more personal cell phone numbers of Bob’s coaching staff than he does.
[...] Haney of The Oklahoman reports that Stoops is giving Martinez every chance he can to find another job as his brother comes on to the coaching [...]
Come on now Andy… We both know you don’t have any numbers from the Sooner Staff in your phone. Furthermore, at this point I would consider the statement your nit-picking on to be more of a reflection than speculation.
The impact of Willie Martinez on the Sooner defense was negligible at best. If Mike Stoops can provide one thing – INTENSITY – for our players and coaches, his addition to the staff will prove to be invaluable.
Hey Josh talented kids that are from ALABAMA not any other state!!! Hello that was my whole point they recruited talented kids from there own state. I.E Wes Welker wasn’t recruited by Oklahoma,Darron Sproils wasn’t recruited by Oklahoma Justin Blackmon wasn’t recruited by Oklahoma and those are just a few off of the top of my head and I know that,that list is short I am sure there are many more that could be added.
The end of the 2000 and all of 2001 OU had some fierce Ds. Not sure Mike was the reason why, but I don’t think it’ll hurt for him to be back in the mix. This might be addition by subtraction as Martinez’ secondary was awful considering the talent. Too many guys out of position too often.