Stoops' Contract Extended through 2020

Sooners' head coach has guided OU Football to 149 wins, 14 straight bowl berths.

July 25, 2013

NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren announced today that the contract of head football coach Bob Stoops will be extended through the 2020 season.

Boren will recommend that the OU Board of Regents take formal action at their September meeting.

"We took this action to express the University's deep appreciation for Bob Stoops' work," Boren said. "In my opinion, he ranks among the very best nationally in the way he combines his ability as a coach with high ethical standards. I greatly value and enjoy my association with Bob and feel extremely fortunate that at the University of Oklahoma we have the longest continuous tenure of the current head football coach, athletics director and president.

"The progress made in our football program since Bob took the helm in 1999 is remarkable. He has truly revived one of the great college football traditions, while adding his own enhancements, and elevating the profile and competition in the Big 12 Conference. As president, it is particularly meaningful to me that we have a coach who has accomplished so much and with such high personal integrity. His strong character represents the best of the values of our university. I'm always proud when he represents the University of Oklahoma to the nation."

OU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Joe Castiglione cited Stoops' leadership and the foundation he has developed for future growth.

"Anytime I look at Bob Stoops on our sideline surrounded by our student-athletes and coaches, I'm reminded of the truly exceptional coach he has become," Castiglione said. "Whether it's his inspirational leadership, his passion for the game or consistently putting his team in the best position to be successful, his character and steely resolve continue to make him the right person to lead us to success in the future.

"Coach Stoops has become one of college football's iconic figures yet he is a selfless man who remains focused on winning championships adding to our program's great legacy. Against that backdrop he has also quietly embraced the role of serving others and encourages similar values amongst his players and staff. I am proud to have worked with him continuously for 15 years and excited we can extend our relationship with him. We will continue to build on the incredibly strong foundation and tradition which exists at the University of Oklahoma and pursue the many great things we want to accomplish in the coming years."

Stoops, the only active coach with a winning percentage higher than 80 percent with 14 uninterrupted seasons on the FBS level, said the relationships he enjoys at Oklahoma are special.

"I appreciate the University's commitment to our program and me," Stoops said. "Most coaches dream of working in the kind of situation that exists at Oklahoma, especially with leaders like President Boren and Joe Castiglione. We're proud of what we have accomplished to this point and look forward to achieving a lot more."

Stoops, who reached 100 coaching victories faster than any NCAA Division I coach in the modern era, is about to enter his 15th season at OU. During that time, he has compiled a record of 149-37 (.801) with a BCS National Championship in 2000 and eight Big 12 Conference titles. His record in Big 12 games is 99-23 and he is 81-5 at this home field.

Stoops' program has produced 65 NFL Draft picks, 33 First-Team All-Americans and 18 national award winners, including two Heisman recipients.

All of his teams have appeared in bowl games and each of the home games during his tenure have registered sell-out attendance.

USA Today names Montee Ball one of NFL's "Rookies to Watch"

July 19, 2013

Rookies are part of the NFL's fabric, and their impacts on their new teams is often significant. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis highlights one per club worth watching in 2013.) EJ Manuel, Bills: He was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. Manuel only needs to beat out Cardinals castoff Kevin Kolb (4) to earn the starting job in Buffalo's first season under new coach Doug Marrone.

Matt Elam (pictured) and Arthur Brown, Ravens: Elam (Round 1) and Brown (Round 2) have the enviable tasks of taking over for FS Ed Reed and ILB Ray Lewis, respectively, veterans who have moved on amid paths likely to end in Canton. Baltimore’s defense may or may not be better in 2013, but it will surely be faster.

Le’Veon Bell, Steelers: Pittsburgh only ran the ball 412 times in 16 games in 2012 (20th in the NFL) while Bell carried the rock 382 times in 13 games for Michigan State. Look for him to be the man to revitalize a once-formidable ground assault.


Montee Ball has a good chance at taking over as the Broncos’ lead running back.

Montee Ball, Broncos: Denver didn’t have many weaknesses in 2012, but an inability to milk the clock in the postseason helped lead to the stunning ouster by the Ravens. With RB Willis McGahee now on the street, look for second-rounder Montee Ball to emerge as the bellcow -- provided he can handle pass protection in front of QB Peyton Manning.

Tavon Austin, Rams: Expect St. Louis to get creative in finding ways to put the ball into the hands of Austin, who caught 114 passes for 1,289 yards and rushed for 643 yards last season at West Virginia. He should also get a shot to produce as a returner and seems to already be on the rookie of the year short list among preseason prognosticators.

Tyrann Mathieu, Cardinals: Is he a corner? A safety? A returner? A Honey Badger? He's distancing himself from the infamous nickname even as Arizona asks him to embrace a hybrid safety/nickel role in the hopes Mathieu can make the game-changing plays he produced for LSU in 2011. And he might give former Bayou Bengal teammate Patrick Peterson (21) a rest on special teams, too.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings: He’s one of Minnesota’s three Round 1 choices (the first time a team has had such a trio since 2001). Though Patterson's receiving skills need polish, defenses will have to respect his deep speed. Even if he doesn't make an instant impact for QB Christian Ponder, look for him to make his presence felt as a return man.

Eddie Lacy (pictured, 27) and Johnathan Franklin, Packers: Green Bay has never ranked better than 14th running the ball since QB Aaron Rodgers replaced Brett Favre in 2008. Yes, the team has clearly fielded offenses that shock and awe, but the arrival of the rookie runners could provide balance that's frequently been lacking, especially at playoff time.

Zach Ertz, Eagles: While at Stanford, the tight end caused plenty of headaches for former Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Now they've joined forces in Philadelphia, and Ertz could quickly emerge as one of the weapons in Kelly's highly anticipated offense.

Manti Te’o, Chargers: All eyes in San Diego will be on the headline-making linebacker this season. Can he hold up against speedy AFC West RBs Jamaal Charles and Darren McFadden? Will he get abused in coverage by Peyton Manning and others? Will he be embraced by his teammates? Stay tuned (but also keep an eye on T D.J. Fluker and WR Keenan Allen).

NC Sports clients named to Big Ten Network's All-Big Ten Offense of 2000's

Dienhart: My All-Big Ten Offense of 2000′s

By Tom Dienhart

July 16, 2013

The 2000s saw plenty of great players in the Big Ten. One, in fact, won the Heisman: Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (2006), who arguably is the top player from the 2000s. Over the next couple days, I’m going to take a look at the best of the best in the Big Ten since the calendar flipped to 2000. First up: Offense.

Before I get to the list, I have a couple rules: 1. A player had to play at least two seasons in the 2000s to be considered; 2. Nebraska players prior to 2011 are not eligible.

OFFENSE

WR: Braylon Edwards, Michigan (2001-04). The Biletnikoff Award winner as a senior with 97 catches and 1,330 yards, he finished with 252 receptions, 3,541 yards receiving and 39 TD grabs in an illustrious career in Ann Arbor.

WR: Taylor Stubblefield, Purdue (2001-04). He left West Lafayette as the NCAA career leader with 325 catches. He also had 3,629 career receiving yards and 21 TDs.


TE: Dallas Clark, Iowa (1999-2002). He capped his career by winning the Mackey Award as a senior, ending a career that saw him make 81 catches for 1,281 yards, 8 TDs in just two seasons as tight end. Clark had 43 catches for 742 yards with 4 scores in 2002.


QB: Troy Smith, Ohio State (2003-06). There were some good signal-callers in the 2000s, but Smith gets the nod based on his 2006 Heisman season in which he led the Buckeyes to the BCS title game.

RB: Mike Hart, Michigan (2004-07). The diminutive Hart rushed 1,015 times for 5,040 yards, both Michigan records, and 41 TDs. Hart placed fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 2006 and ran for at least 100 yards 28 times and 200 yards five times, both Michigan all-time marks.


RB: Montee Ball, Wisconsin (2009-12). The 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist and 2012 Doak Walker Award recipient, Ball scored 38 touchdowns in 2011 (one behind Barry Sanders’ FBS record) and finished his career with an NCAA record 83 scores. He also ran for a total of 5,140 yards.

OL: Robert Gallery, Iowa (1999-2003). He began his career at tight end before morphing into an all-time great at tackle. As a senior in 2003, Gallery was a consensus All-American, the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and the Outland Trophy winner. He was the No. 2 overall selection in the draft.

OL: Joe Thomas, Wisconsin (2003-06). The massive tackle returned for his senior season and helped the Badgers have the second-highest scoring offense and the fourth-best rushing offense in the Big Ten. Thomas was first-team All-Big Ten, a consensus All-American and the Outland Trophy winner before being picked No. 3 overall.

OL: Greg Eslinger, Minnesota (2002-05). As a senior, the center won the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award, the Outland Trophy and the Rimington Trophy. Not bad for a kid from North Dakota who had no FBS offers.

OL: Levi Brown, Penn State (2002-06). He arrived as a defensive lineman but flipped sides of the ball. Brown became a dominant blocker and eventual No. 5 overall selection in the NFL draft.

OL: Jake Long, Michigan (2003-07). As a senior, Long was a unanimous All-American and won the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award for a second year in a row. The tackle subsequently was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

K: Mike Nugent, Ohio State (2001-04). He broke or tied 22 school records. Among them: notching the most points in a career (356). He connected on 72-of-88 field-goal attempts and 140-of-143 extra-point attempts.