SOONER coach with ailing child

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Defending national champion Oklahoma began its game week routine without coach Bob Stoops, who was with one of his children at an out-of-state hospital. <br><br>Stoops and his wife,

Monday, August 20th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Defending national champion Oklahoma began its game week routine without coach Bob Stoops, who was with one of his children at an out-of-state hospital.

Stoops and his wife, Carol, left Sunday, sports information director Kenny Mossman said.

``One of his children is having a medical procedure done. He's away from Norman for an undetermined amount of time,'' Mossman said Monday.

Stoops has a daughter and twin sons. Mossman said Stoops did not want it disclosed which child was being treated or where the procedure was taking place.

He said Stoops is expected back before Saturday's game with North Carolina.

``He told me, 'I'll be back when I feel I can do that and I've taken care of my other responsibilities,''' Mossman said.

Stoops did not take part in the Big 12's weekly teleconference and will miss the team's news conference Tuesday. His brother, associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, is filling in.

Mike Stoops said he expected his brother back by Thursday.

``All our thoughts and prayers are with Bob and his family,'' he said on the Big 12 call. ``Hopefully everything goes according to plan. It's a tough situation for Bob, but he'll deal with it and our team will deal with the situation.''