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Former OU head coach Bob Stoops to take Dallas XFL job

By Phillip Barnard

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops watches his team warm up before the Sugar Bowl game between the Auburn Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners on January 2, 2017, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops watches his team warm up before the Sugar Bowl game between the Auburn Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners on January 2, 2017, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Former University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops is heading to the XFL.

Go ahead … take a minute and re-read the above statement. Yes, you read that right the first AND second time. Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops is about to become part of the XFL reboot, as GM and coach of the Dallas franchise.

The XFL, as most of us know, had a less-than-spectacular inaugural run back in 2001. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced last January that his original football project was coming back and would include eight cities this time. Dallas is one of the host cities, and will be where Stoops lands. The official announcement is coming on Thursday at 1 p.m. CT at Globe Life Park in Arlington, according to a report from Oklahoma City news station KFOR.

It’s an incredible move for Stoops, who coached at OU from 1999-2016. His tenure saw a national championship and a total of 10 Big 12 championships. He stepped down prior to the 2017 season, and many believed he would eventually return to coaching at the college level or even take a shot at the NFL. He will step into a virtual unknown environment, as the XFL is owned by the mastermind of sports entertainment.

Whatever the reason, it could open a number of doors for the longtime coach. If he likes the experience in Dallas, he may try head back to the college ranks, or maybe even head to pros as referenced above. It does raise some interesting questions though. Why the XFL? What lured him out of retirement and what did they offer that an established school or pro team didn’t?

One thing is for sure. The rest of the league will have to seriously step up and find coaches that can handle the experience and success that Stoops brings. He has a very successful track record from his tenure in Norman, and will be a tough task to face for any of the other seven teams in the league. It also gives the XFL some coaching credibility, as they are looking for legit options to put in charge of teams.

As mentioned, eight cities have been announced for the relaunch. The following list shows the locations of each team.

  • Dallas (Globe Life Park – Arlington, Texas)
  • Houston (TDECU Stadium)
  • Los Angeles (StubHub Center – Carson, California)
  • New York (MetLife Stadium)
  • Seattle (CenturyLink Field)
  • St. Louis (The Dome at America’s Center)
  • Tampa (Raymond James Stadium)
  • Washington, D.C. (Audi Field)

Stoops and the new XFL will have some competition though. As the Alliance of American Football (AAF), a rival pro league, kicks off their debut season this weekend. They will have coaches with their own individual success, including the likes of Steve Spurrier and Dennis Erickson.

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The signing of Stoops brings not only some much-needed attention but also some credibility to a league that is still a year away from its grand return. You can bet that all eyes will be on Stoops and the XFL

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