Bob Stoops to Remain Sooners' Head Coach

Originally Published: Nov 30, 2009 3:1 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said Monday he will remain the head coach of the Sooners’ football team.

“I fully intend to be at Oklahoma for a long while,” Stoops said. “I can’t help what’s said, but I couldn’t be more excited or pleased with what we’re doing here and what the future holds. I intend to be at Oklahoma.”

After Charlie Weis was fired from his position as head coach at Notre Dame, speculations heated up that Stoops would leave OU for the top spot with the Fighting Irish.

The Sooners fought through an injury-riddled season and finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, the worst of Stoops’ 11-year tenure at OU. Despite that record, rumors had been circulating for weeks that Stoops was at the top of Notre Dame’s list to replace Weis.

During a teleconference Monday, Stoops never expressly stated that he had not been in contact with representatives at Notre Dame. He also would not say that he had no interest in the open position. However, he did say he is looking forward to building a future at Oklahoma.

“What I’m saying is I’m going to be at Oklahoma next year. So I can’t be in two places at once,” Stoops said.

Even after Stoops' announcement early Monday, rumors continued to persist that he was still in discussions with Notre Dame. Stoops responded by making perhaps his strongest statement in guaranteeing a return to OU later Monday night.

“I stand by the comments that I made earlier today,” Stoops said. “I will be at Oklahoma. Any reporting to the contrary is completely unfounded.”