Bob Stoops
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.Collection: Thankful
I'm thankful that my career at Oklahoma was marked with consistent leadership in president David Boren and director of athletics Joe Castiglione.Collection: Thankful
The characteristic that every college football coach should look for in a wife is independence.Collection: Independence
The coaching life is like a relay race and I'm thankful for my turn and am confident as I pass the baton.Collection: Thankful
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.Collection: Respect
I can't remember the last time I've been to a football game as a spectator.
I may have to buy an RV and learn how to tailgate and get the charcoal going.
Sometimes people want change just to change. It doesn't mean it's going to be better.
When people ask me where I'm from I say I'm from Oklahoma.
I have a very strong faith.
I know what really matters in my life.
Patty Gasso is the best. I think she's awesome.
Sometimes you get in life something you don't like... you have to do something different.
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've got great respect for all the teams in the SEC as well as the Big 12, the Big Ten, on and on.
Anytime we lose a game, there it goes. The roller coaster's going down.
The fact is I gave everything I had to Kansas State when I was there.
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.
Coach Spurrier, without question, has been the biggest influence to me, next to my father.
Everyone has to earn their money one way or the other.
Big 12 Championship is, to me, it's always your primary goal to start with because it's not easy to do.
You've got to put the work in every week. You can't take anything for granted.
Stepping down after 18 years as the head football coach here at Oklahoma, and I feel like I've absolutely been the luckiest, most fortunate guy in the world.
Team chemistry is what really matters, your team chemistry and team toughness.
I love Jim Tressel. I think he's a fabulous guy. He's overall been a strong example for all coaches.
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.
Spend a day around my players, around my African-American players, my Hispanic players, my Polynesian players, and you'll see the true beauty of who they are.
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.
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.
If you're winning and can stay on the field offensively and move the ball, that's what we want.
I'm big on that: In life, everything has its time.
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.
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.
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.
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 have incredible respect for Coach Switzer.
I just love to play football and enjoy it.
Boomer Sooner!
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.'
No one wants to hear that, but life changes. If it changes, you have to change with it, to whatever degree.
I think proximity in recruiting matters 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 been with some great head coaches, but also some great assistant coaches, too.
I've just been around a lot of just quality coaches that I've learned from.
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.
Coach Snyder was just a determined guy. I was at the ground floor at Kansas State. I learned a lot from that experience.
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.