OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Former Arizona coach Mike Stoops is headed back to Oklahoma.
Stoops confirmed in a telephone interview Thursday that he planned to rejoin the Sooners. The hiring was first reported by
Stoops was the co-defensive coordinator for Oklahoma from 1999 to 2004 and helped the Sooners win the 2000 national championship before spending the past seven-plus seasons at Arizona. His arrival throws into question the future of defensive backs coach Willie Martinez and possibly current defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Stoops says he has “always worked well together” with Venables and that’s why he’s comfortable returning to the Sooners to work for his older brother, Bob, the head coach.
The university has not yet confirmed Mike Stoops’ hiring or any other changes to the football staff.
