Sooner assistants downplay job rumors

(Norman-AP) -- Oklahoma assistant coaches say no one is looking to leave the Sooner staff. <br><br>In recent days offensive coordinator Mark Mangino and co-defensive coordinators Mike Stoops and Brent

Tuesday, November 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Norman-AP) -- Oklahoma assistant coaches say no one is looking to leave the Sooner staff.

In recent days offensive coordinator Mark Mangino and co-defensive coordinators Mike Stoops and Brent Venables have been unofficially connected to a head coaching vacancy.

All three say they've heard the rumors that they're a candidate for various jobs, but each says he has not been contacted by other schools.

Stoops and Venables are being mentioned as potential candidates to replace the fired Larry Smith at Missouri. Mangino is being talked about as a possible replacement for the fired Rip Scherer at Memphis.

Head coach Bob Stoops says he'd give good references for any of his assistants and that he's not worried about a mass departure.

Stoops says he doesn't look forward to losing any assistant, but adds that the program is bigger than any one player or coach.