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Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops could make NFL leap after 2014

Apr 12, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops looks on during the spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops looks on during the spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops has accomplished everything there is to accomplish during his tenure at the school over 16 seasons. Every year when the coaching carousel begins to turn, Stoops’ name gets dragged into the mix and he has been linked to other head coaching jobs at top colleges as well as professional openings, like that of the Cleveland Browns recently.

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If the Sooners have another successful 2014 season, you can expect his name to be in the mix again. NFL.com’s Bryan Fischer expands upon a January report from Ian Rapoport that said he Stoops is more open to making the leap to the NFL than ever, when the Browns job was vacant.

“There’s nothing that Stoops hasn’t accomplished at the college level. He has a national title ring to go with his eight Big 12 championships,” Fischer writes. “He’s won every BCS bowl game and is a favorite to make it into the inaugural College Football Playoff. He’s produced 13 first-round draft picks and has the program set up for continued success well after he leaves.

“It’s also his 16th season in Norman. That’s a long time in any one place. It’s longer than his mentor and close friend, Steve Spurrier, was at Florida and likely longer than he’ll be at South Carolina. Only Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer and Troy’s Larry Blakeney have been in their current spots longer than Stoops.

“He’s young enough to stay at Oklahoma and channel Bobby Bowden. But Stoops won’t.”