Bob Stoops Steps Away from the Sidelines-Again
Bob Stoops is hanging up the headset once more, this time for good.
The legendary former Oklahoma Sooners head coach announced Monday that he’s retiring from coaching, stepping away from the United Football League’s Dallas Renegades after four seasons at the helm. For a man who’s spent decades shaping programs and mentoring players, this marks the close of another impactful chapter in a storied football life.
“After much thought and reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire from coaching and step away from the game of football,” Stoops said in a statement. “Coaching has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and closing this chapter comes with lots of gratitude.”
Stoops didn’t just thank the Renegades organization-he made sure to acknowledge the entire UFL family, from ownership groups like RedBird Capital and Impact Capital, to league leadership including Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and broadcasting partners FOX and ESPN. It was a full-circle moment for a coach who’s seen it all, from national championships to the early growth of spring football leagues.
And of course, he saved a heartfelt shoutout for the fans: “You are the heartbeat of this sport,” he said. “Your passion, energy, and unwavering support have meant the world to me.”
Stoops' time with the Renegades wasn’t just ceremonial-he led the team to an XFL championship in 2023, adding yet another trophy to a résumé that was already bursting at the seams. Across his coaching career at both the college and professional levels, Stoops compiled a 207-69 record. The bulk of that dominance came during his 18-season run at Oklahoma, where he went 191-48, captured 10 Big 12 titles, and won a BCS national championship.
Even after stepping down from OU in 2016, Stoops wasn’t quite done. He returned briefly in 2021 to coach the Sooners in the Alamo Bowl following Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC, proving once again that when the program needed him, he was ready to answer the call.
Now, though, it seems Stoops is ready to fully embrace retirement-and the UFL made it clear how much his presence meant.
“Bob is a true legend in the game of football but an even better person,” said UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon. “It has been truly an honor to work with him and learn from one of the greatest our game has ever known.”
Stoops may be stepping away from the sidelines, but his legacy-both in Norman and in the broader football world-remains firmly intact.
Cowboys Wrestling Dominates in Big 12 Showdown
Oklahoma State wrestling flexed its muscle in Morgantown on Sunday, steamrolling No. 17 West Virginia 34-3 in a Big 12 dual meet that left little doubt about who’s setting the pace in the conference.
The fifth-ranked Cowboys (7-1, 3-0 Big 12) controlled the mat from start to finish, winning nine of ten bouts and racking up bonus points along the way. Landon Robideau (157), Alex Facundo (174), and Konner Doucet (HWT) each added extra firepower with dominant performances.
One of the highlights came at 125 pounds, where Troy Spratley got a bit of revenge. In a rematch of last year’s Big 12 title bout, Spratley flipped the script on Jett Strickenberger with a 6-2 win. He started strong with a first-period takedown and ride-out, then followed it up with a second-period reversal that gave him full control of the match.
Fresh off a title run at the Cougar Clash, Facundo kept his momentum rolling with a 20-5 technical fall over Leo Contino. That’s not just a win-that’s a statement.
And heavyweight Konner Doucet didn’t waste any time. He pinned Wilson Spires in the opening period, putting an emphatic exclamation point on a night that belonged to the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State Adds Former Sooner to Defensive Staff
Bedlam lines may be drawn in crimson and orange, but that didn’t stop Oklahoma State from reaching across the aisle to bolster its coaching staff.
Former OU cornerback Julian Wilson is joining the Cowboys as their new defensive backs coach, according to a report from CBS Sports. It’s a full-circle moment for the Southmoore High School product, who played in 48 games for the Sooners and now returns to his home state in a new role.
Wilson spent the past season coaching DBs under Eric Morris at North Texas, but his coaching ties with OSU defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity run deep. The two began working together back in 2022 at Abilene Christian under Keith Patterson, then moved to Sam Houston and later North Texas. Their coaching paths have been closely linked ever since.
Wilson also brings experience from his time as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech, where he worked under Patterson-another thread that connects this coaching web.
It’s a hire that adds familiarity, experience, and a little bit of spice to the Cowboys’ defensive room.
Vikings Push Cowboys to the Brink
The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after a 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night in Arlington.
J.J. McCarthy was the difference-maker for Minnesota, tossing two touchdown passes and rushing for another.
Jalen Nailor hauled in both of McCarthy’s scoring throws, while C.J. Ham added a rushing touchdown as the Vikings (6-8) picked up their second straight win.
For Dallas (6-7-1), the math is getting bleak. The Cowboys now need to win out and hope the Philadelphia Eagles lose their final three games just to sneak into the postseason. That’s a tall order.
Dak Prescott put up solid numbers-23 of 38 for 294 yards-but it wasn’t enough. The Cowboys got rushing touchdowns from Javonte Williams (91 yards on 15 carries) and Malik Davis, while CeeDee Lamb continued to be a bright spot with six catches for 111 yards on 10 targets.
McCarthy, meanwhile, was efficient and effective, completing 15 of 24 passes for 250 yards. The Vikings may be out of playoff contention, but they played like a team with something to prove-and they may have just delivered the knockout punch to Dallas’ postseason dreams.