Stoops says he'll remain at OU

Sunday, January 14th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. â€“ If Kansas coach Roy Williams can announce he's staying in a football stadium, Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops figured a basketball arena was a good place to announce his intention to remain at the school.

At halftime of the Oklahoma-Kansas basketball game, Stoops ended speculation that he would take the vacant Cleveland Browns coaching job.

"I want to let everybody know that I still believe it's a privilege to be the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma," Stoops told a sold-out Lloyd Noble Arena during a trophy presentation for the Sooners' national championship. "Regardless of what you hear, I plan on being at Oklahoma for a long time."

After the crowd roared its approval, Stoops held a news conference where he refused to discuss whether he spoke to the Browns.

"I'm not getting into any of that," said Stoops. "It's something that's personal and whether I discussed or not or whatever doesn't need to be hashed over."

Stoops' name has also been mentioned for the Ohio State job, but he refused to address that and hoped to add finality to any speculation.

"I'm fortunate to be the head football coach here, and hopefully they'll have me for a while," said Stoops. "Right now, I feel I have the best football job in country, and that's college or pro."

The announcement came during one of the biggest recruiting weekends for Oklahoma, with several high-profile recruits on campus for official visits. Stoops said the speculation has not affected recruiting, but it was a factor in his making the announcement.

Thursday, Stoops said he would be interested in discussing the Browns' opening. On Friday, Stoops declined to comment on the Browns job.

"I said it intrigued me," said Stoops. "A lot of things intrigue me. Coaching high school intrigues me. ... I don't think you ever say never to anything."

Stoops led Oklahoma to a 13-0 record and the Sooners' first national championship since 1985 with a win over Florida State in the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.

The Browns are seeking to replace Chris Palmer, who was fired after going 5-27 in the two years since the club's rebirth as an expansion team.

Stoops, 40, and Browns president Carmen Policy both grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. Policy's son, Edward, played high school football for Stoops' father, Ron.

Before the 2000 season even concluded, Oklahoma signed Stoops to a five-year contract extension at $1.4 million per year. He received almost $600,000 in bonuses for winning the national championship.