The coaching life is like a relay race and I'm thankful for my turn and am confident as I pass the baton.
Bob Stoops
I appreciate the history and tradition of Notre Dame. I also appreciate the history and tradition of Oklahoma, and I have been part of building that tradition here.
Team chemistry is what really matters, your team chemistry and team toughness.
No one wants to hear that, but life changes. If it changes, you have to change with it, to whatever degree.
No matter how angry people on the outside were when you don't perform well, a coach is 10 times what anyone else is feeling. Nothing digs at you more. But that's part of our business.
At the end of the day, if someone tries to conceal something they will, and when you find out, you deal with it. That's it. We can't possibly know everything that happens.
I can't remember the last time I've been to a football game as a spectator.
I remember embracing our championship tradition, telling our players that this is what we should expect to be; this is what Oklahoma is supposed to be. And we're going to do all we can to be that. And if we don't, there will be no excuses. You either do or you don't.
Every now and then a little bit of change never hurts.
I've been with some great head coaches, but also some great assistant coaches, too.
Coach Spurrier was just an amazing competitor. I felt I learned to really love the competition of it all from watching him and being around him. All his assistant coaches were great recruiters, very professional in how they handled their business. So as a young guy, I got to see that all the time.
I'm thankful that my career at Oklahoma was marked with consistent leadership in president David Boren and director of athletics Joe Castiglione.
The fact is I gave everything I had to Kansas State when I was there.
Yeah, I've never tailgated.
Big 12 Championship is, to me, it's always your primary goal to start with because it's not easy to do.
I've got great respect for all the teams in the SEC as well as the Big 12, the Big Ten, on and on.
They said 'the SEC this, the SEC that.' I said, 'You talk like all 14 teams are this, that and the other thing.' I said, 'You have to give credit to the first one or two that have won the national championship, but don't act like they're all doing that.'
Boomer Sooner!
I thought one of the best things I ever did in my career was getting my first staff together at OU... That's exciting to me. The opportunity to put it together and help it grow.
Depending on where you're at or the ownership you're working for, some of the college jobs may be better than some in the NFL.
Any time you experience adversity, whether you lose a game or maybe have an official who makes a poor call that costs you the game, you've gotta handle yourself properly. Just like in life, not everything will go your way.
Anytime we lose a game, there it goes. The roller coaster's going down.
I'm big on that: In life, everything has its time.
I have this routine where on Fridays I sign balls that need to be autographed. One time, after my fortieth or fiftieth ball, I looked over at my secretary and said, 'Who is Bob Stoops, anyway?'
I think every league is good. Every league is pretty much the same: You got your top teams that are all very good, you got middle of the road teams that are really good and then you got your bottom of leagues that are all kind if fighting to get really good. I think it's pretty much the same across the board; I've said that for a long time.
I was an undersized, undertalented defensive back. I knocked myself out multiple times running into people. I ended my career without an anterior cruciate ligament. I still don't have one. At a certain point, you realize: I've used up all I've got.
There was a period of time where the two most wanted guys in the state of Oklahoma were me and Josh Heupel. Me for suggesting that you could throw the ball at Oklahoma and in the Big 12. And Josh Heupel for having the temerity to play quarterback and not be able to run faster than 5 flat.
I have incredible respect for Coach Switzer.
Sam Bradford was one of the most humble and grounded players I've ever been around; he got it. But I even told him, what makes you think those fans in the stands are wearing No.14 for you? Who says it's not an old Josh Heupel jersey?
I'm very fortunate to work with a great group of guys that are great coaches, great motivators, excited about what they do, have a lot of enthusiasm and are excellent coaches.
Sometimes people want change just to change. It doesn't mean it's going to be better.
I know what really matters in my life.
It's very rewarding when you know you're affecting a young person in a positive way, when you know you're helping influence them in the right direction. Teaching them by example, giving them examples, showing humility and respect and love for your child and wife.
No, I'm never pleased if we don't win some type of championship, meaning Big 12 or national.
Just being in the locker room as a young person growing up was something I've always enjoyed, without ever having it forced upon me.
If you're winning and can stay on the field offensively and move the ball, that's what we want.
I've always believed if a young guy has a chance to play, why would you explain where his weakness is? The only reason would be to help the other team, or to help a gambler.
When I grew up, and I've said this a lot, but I was a long time Oklahoma fan. I always followed them all the way while growing up in Ohio.
We could fill up a whole hour's television show talking about coach's recruiting stories, I love them, they're the best.
You know, if I've done anything right, it has been hiring the right people.
I just love to play football and enjoy it.
I think proximity in recruiting matters the most.
I'm especially thankful for being able to coach so many talented young men over my 18 years here. It has been so rewarding to see these players come to OU and mature over a four- or five-year career, and not just on the field. To play a small part in their growth is what I will always cherish the most.
Sometimes with these big long guys who are really athletic, you don't know when they're going to stop growing.
There has to be measures for players to know the consequences for their actions.
I've just been around a lot of just quality coaches that I've learned from.
Coach Snyder was just a determined guy. I was at the ground floor at Kansas State. I learned a lot from that experience.
I have been very fortunate to coach a lot of very good secondary players through the years.
I love Jim Tressel. I think he's a fabulous guy. He's overall been a strong example for all coaches.
Our players are educated. They know. If you knowingly break the rules, we're going to move on. We'll find someone else to play quarterback.
