Bob Stoop's decision to retire as the coach of Oklahoma after 18 years was nothing short of stunning. Though multiple reports indicate the longtime coach was ready to hang it up and live his life, it doesn't make the announcement any less shocking or the timing any less interesting.
Like any coach who's been in the same place for 18 years, Stoops' legacy will be complex. He's the winningest coach in program history and coached the Sooners at a high level for almost all of them. Only four times in those 18 years did Oklahoma drop below 10 wins in a season. Each time, Stoops reinvented himself and elevated the program back into the national spotlight the following year. He never had a losing season in Norman and won a national championship in 2000-01.
However, Oklahoma had not played for a national title since the 2008-09 season and were beaten soundly by Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinals two seasons ago. It's entirely possible the Sooners had hit their ceiling under Stoops over the past decade.
Stoops also (deservedly) landed in some hot water for his handling of the Joe Mixon punch video -- Mixon was suspended for the 2014 season, a decision Stoops himself later said would not have been enough today -- and bringing in wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, who was dismissed from Missouri following an alleged domestic abuse situation.
These are the things people will remember about Stoops. All the same, he had a significant impact not only Oklahoma football, but all of college football. So with his retirement, the college football world -- from players, coaches, media members and more -- released an outpouring of support.
and a coach is immeasurable. I wish Bob, Carol and the kids the very best as he moves into the next phase of his life. pic.twitter.com/bGHUMEIeF6
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) June 7, 2017
Bob Stoops a helluva coach! OU lost a great one! #Respect
— Quandre Diggs (@qdiggs6) June 7, 2017
If you are wondering how @OU_CoachStoops' current and former players feel about him...just look at my face in this picture. Will be missed. pic.twitter.com/cJTUFxQM2w
— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) June 7, 2017
@ou_coachstoops it was an honor playing for you my man. Thank you for coming out to California… https://t.co/U5HAz6E6Y0
— Brennan Clay (@BrennanClay24) June 7, 2017
Can't explain how thankful I am for @OU_CoachStoops! Appreciate everything & you'll go down as one of the greatest to coach the game! 🐐
— Julian Wilson (@JWilson_2) June 7, 2017
You took a chance on a skinny broke kid from a small city and let me flourish on the biggest stage. I'm forever grateful @OU_CoachStoops
— AARON COLVIN (@AColvin_22) June 7, 2017
Bob always told me when the time was right, he'd go out on his own terms! #OU #BoomerSooner
— Mark Mangino (@KeepSawinWood) June 7, 2017
Timing seems appropriate ...
— Pete Moris (@PeteMoris) June 7, 2017
I've enjoyed a pretty good run, working with some fine 🏈 coaches lately! #Hokies #Sooners pic.twitter.com/Z7xZcI0q6w
I guess there are worse things in the world than retiring on a 10-game win streak.
— Bill Connelly (@SBN_BillC) June 7, 2017
This will be just the fourth year of the Big 12’s existence in which Bob Stoops is not coaching at Oklahoma.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) June 7, 2017
I always thought Bob Stoops would want to to try his hand at the NFL...with this announcement guess that is not the case.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) June 7, 2017
My dear friend @OU_CoachStoops is retiring as the HBC of my @OU_Football Sooners & @LincolnRiley is the next man up pic.twitter.com/om4mQBYcAM
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) June 7, 2017
"We're still in shock here" - Oklahoma superfan @JRsBBQ pic.twitter.com/BMp686O6N4
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) June 7, 2017
— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguy) June 7, 2017
Bob Stoops' dad Ron passed away when he was 54 after suffering a heart attack while coaching a HS game & dying on way to the hospital. https://t.co/nW70WeimuF
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) June 7, 2017
Sending positive wishes to Bob Stoops for long, happy, HEALTHY retirement. And salute for Tremendous 18 year run at @OU_Football !
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) June 7, 2017
Oklahoma currently has 9 commitments for 2018, a class currently ranked 18th by 247Sports. Texas has 12 commitments, which ranks 3rd.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) June 7, 2017
21 years ago, Bob Stoops taught my buddy our Def. coord. a D scheme on a napkin. We used it throughout year w/tremendous results...
— John Harris (@jharrisfootball) June 7, 2017
"Heard you boys have an opening" pic.twitter.com/J70TyboU1O
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) June 7, 2017
Bob Stoops and Steve Spurrier can enjoy an awful lot of golf together now.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) June 7, 2017
Among 109 FBS HCs w/min 7 yrs as FBS HC '01-'16, only 2 HC's tms scored 30+ points a higher percentage than @OU_Football's #BobStoops teams.
— SportSourceAnalytics (@SportSourceA) June 7, 2017
Bob Stoops’ last win was vs. Auburn/Malzahn, last loss vs. Ohio State/Meyer; last Big 12 win vs. OSU/Gundy; last Big 12 loss to Texas/Strong
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 7, 2017
Iknow they're our rivals but just want to thank @OU_CoachStoops for granting me my first offer, and a competitive last 2 years. God bless!
— Malik Jefferson (@Official_MalikJ) June 7, 2017