Bob Stoops publicly addresses his interest in vacant USC football job

Bob Stoops has a cushy job on FOX’s college football coverage. Does he have serious interest in the open USC football job?

Even before USC football fired Clay Helton, Bob Stoops was mentioned as a potential replacement. So you can bet his name got brought up plenty since the Trojans made the move official.

The former Oklahoma head coach addressed the rumors during FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday.

What did Bob Stoops have to say about being a USC football coach candidate?

“I’ve only been on the set three times and you’re already getting rid of me,” Stoops said. “Nah, listen — I love too much working with you guys, what I’m doing. I love watching my son play. I’ve got another one coaching. That’s all I’m interested in doing right now.

Stoops went on to discuss what the Trojans need to find in order to get back to winning ways.

“When I took over here in ’99, we had five straight losing seasons. Our players’ self-image was in the tank. USC’s players got to feel the same way. They know what the traditions are there and they’re not living up to them. So the first order of business is to build their self-esteem, their self-image, their confidence, their expectations.”

That’s an interesting perspective considering the sense that Helton was too nice and accommodating, putting the feelings of players ahead of the tough choices it takes to win.

Either way, Stoops’ statements don’t exclude him from being a candidate for USC. There will be more denials than acknowledgments this fall as the Trojans work to identify their next head coach.

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