Bob Stoops discusses plans to fulfill role with FOX Big Noon Kickoff

Prior to this season, former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops got into television as part of FOX Big Noon Kickoff. So, when he took the interim head coaching job at Oklahoma this week, it was worth asking if he was going to pull double duty.

We got our answer.

Stoops me the media Monday in his first press conference since Lincoln Riley’s departure from OU. When asked about his FOX obligations, he confirmed he’d be in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship this weekend.

“I was just on a Zoom with them for 20, 30 minutes ahead of coming to see you guys getting ready for the Big Ten [Championship],” Stoops told reporters on Monday. “Our show will be on an hour ahead of the Big Ten Championship, and I’ll be there. I’ll be there Saturday. I wouldn’t be if there was something here that would need my attention, but being that it’s a Friday evening and a Saturday, I’m able to work it out.”

Later in the press conference, a reporter asked about a social media rumor that he wasn’t going to be on Big Noon Kickoff after taking the interim job at Oklahoma. He responded in true Bob Stoops form.

“Certainly, you know better than to listen to social media for all your news,” Stoops said. “I just told you I was on a Zoom and I’m going to the game, so they obviously made it up. … That was not true.”

Stoops took over at Oklahoma in 1999 and was in Norman until he retired in 2016. Now back as interim, he’s planning to be there until the Sooners find a coach.

Oklahoma went 10-2 this season and ended the year with a crazy loss to Oklahoma State in Bedlam last week.

Bob Stoops responds to possibility of returning to coach Oklahoma full-time

With Bob Stoops returning to the Sooner sidelines as interim head coach, it begs the question: Could he stay long term? Sitting next to athletic director Joe Castiglione, Stoops provided an answer during Oklahoma’s press conference Monday.

“I’m gonna be here as long as they need me until they find their new head coach, whenever that may be,” he said.

“So it could be more than the bowl game?” the reporter followed up.

“Joe won’t take that long,” Stoops said, laughing.

With that out of the way, Castiglione and president Joe Harroz will commence their coaching search. As they seek out the 23rd Sooners football coach in history, they’ll have a long list of options.

“This job is gonna attract the very best in the coaching world and they’re already lined up and called,” Stoops said. “This is a real job. This is a great job and a great university with great leadership.”

One such candidate is Clemson defensive coordinator and associate head coach Brent Venables, who held the same position for the Sooners from 2004-11. First-year South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, who served on the Oklahoma staff from 2018-20, is another name that has been mentioned.