What About Bob?

October 20th, 2005

By Justin Waganer
Senior Sports Writer

Know what the most entertaining, exciting aspect of sports is? Overreacting. There’s nothing like it! Acting like the world has come to an end after a sub-par half of a season is what makes it worth watching. Remember when Bob Stoops was the class of college football and everyone thought he was invincible? Obviously he’s not now, these last seven games are probably a much better example of his ability than the first 78 of his regime.

The general consensus is the great coaches never had down years. After their careers are over all we seem to remember is the big wins and major bowl games. Nobody seems to remember that “The King” Barry Switzer posted seasons of 7-4-1, 8-4, and 8-4 from 1981-1983. His 1983 squad actually finished unranked after the 1981 and 1982 teams finished ranked #20 and #16 respectively. Bud Wilkinson’s teams went 7-3, 3-6-1, and 5-5 from 1959 to 1961 with the 1959 team finishing #15 and the other two finishing unranked.

The great Bear Bryant had back-to-back 6-5 seasons in 1969 and 1970 before ripping off 54 wins over the next five seasons. This is not to say that Bob Stoops is as good or has accomplished as much as these three, but the idea that the shine is gone from the Stoops era is ludicrous and ridiculous to say the least. For those who haven’t looked lately, Stoops is now 70-15 in his seven seasons. That is a percentage of 82.4%, slightly behind Switzer (83.7%) and Wilkinson (82.6%), the standards of Oklahoma Football.

Generally, the thought is that this is such a hard time for Oklahoma because there appears to be no silver lining on the Sooners dark cloud. I beg to differ. Anybody who watches Rhett Bomar knows when he has time to throw, he can throw. Then the question becomes, will he ever have time to throw? At one point last Saturday against Kansas, Oklahoma had Jon Cooper, Branndon Braxton, and Duke Robinson in the game at the same time, all freshmen, all improving.

Yes, but when he has time to throw who will catch it? During that same game against Kansas, Oklahoma lined up Malcolm Kelly, Juaquin Iglesias, and Manuel Johnson wide on the same play. Again, all freshmen, all improving and beginning to make plays.

What about the defense? DJ Wolfe, Lewis Baker, and Marcus Walker are all Sophomores. Reggie Smith and Nic Harris are Freshmen. Beginning to make plays and improving. Carl Pendleton, Cory Bennett, Rufus Alexander, and CJ Ah You will all make their way back to Norman next year with the possibility of returning all-world defensive end Larry Birdine as well.

Yes this year has been disappointing and just making a bowl would be a step forward at this point, but thinking that coaching changes need to be made to save a dynasty is stupid at best. Anybody remember how long it took to go from the depths of John Blake to the heights of the 2000 National Champs? Not very long. Every coaching era has its peaks and valleys, just ask Kelvin Sampson. Remember that 2004 basketball squad that took very public floggings from Connecticut, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Kansas? That very next season Sampson grabbed a share of the 2005 Big 12 Championship. Don’t think it can’t happen on the gridiron too.

Entry Filed under: Sooners