Shane Byler/The Daily
(Norman, OK) — Oklahoma Sooners head football coach Bob Stoops is calling it a career. Stoops has announced he is retiring after 18 seasons in Norman.
Stoops will remain with the program as a special assistant to the athletic director, while offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley will take over as head coach. Stoops compiled a career record of 190-48 and is the all -time winningest coach in OU history. He reached double-digits wins in 14 seasons, including an 11-and-2 mark in 2016. The 56-year-old guided OU to the 2000 national championship, ten Big 12 titles and bowl games in each of his 18 seasons.
Stoops is the longest-tenured coach in college football, but he didn’t provide a specific reason as to why he’s choosing to step down now. ”My health was not the deciding factor in this decision and I’ve had no incidents that would prevent me from coaching,” Stoops said in a statement. I feel the timing is perfect to hand over the reins.’
Riley, a graduate of Texas Tech University, is now the youngest active head coach at the FBS level at age 33. He spent seven seasons as an assistant under Mike Leach for the Red Raiders, before taking the offensive coordinator position at East Carolina. After five seasons with the Pirates, Riley took over at Oklahoma and revived an offense that had been scuffling.
Oklahoma will open up their 2017 campaign in Norman on September 2nd, as they host the UTEP Miners.
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