Oklahoma fires DC Mike Stoops after loss to Texas
The Oklahoma Sooners officially fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops on Monday morning, the team announced.
TFB contributor, James Hale (@jhale24) has learned via a source that #Sooners coach, Mike Stoops is out as defensive coordinator.
Please be respectful.https://t.co/slsOb8kPki
— TFB Sooners (@TFB_Sooners) October 8, 2018
“I have great respect for Mike,” said head coach Lincoln Riley. “He’s a quality football coach, great man and a close friend. It became time for a change in our program and that happens sometimes in football, but we cannot lose sight of the accomplishments Mike had at Oklahoma. He was responsible for a lot of success and deserves the gratitude of everyone associated with Sooner football, not only for his role in the winning, but for coaching with integrity.”
Read: Odell Beckham Jr. Apologizes for Comments, Regrets Nothing
James Hale of Sports Talk 1400 KREF in Norman, Oklahoma, first reported Stoops’ ouster and The Oklahoman‘s Ryan Aber later confirmed with a source Sunday.
Source confirmed to The Oklahoman: Mike Stoops out as #Sooners DC (first reported by @jhale24)
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) October 8, 2018
Ruffin McNeill will replace Mike Stoops as the defensive coordinator. McNeill is the assistant head coach and defensive tackles coach.
The move comes after the Sooners gave up 48 points and 501 yards in a loss Saturday to the Texas Longhorns.
The Sooners are giving up 421 yards per game, which ranks 96th in FBS. Over the previous four seasons, they finished 57th, 89th, 31st and 54th in total defense.
