Bob Stoops announces retirement from coaching, Dallas Renegades

Legendary head coach Bob Stoops is retiring from coaching, he announced on Monday afternoon. Stoops has spent the past few years with the Dallas Renegades in the UFL after stepping away from the Oklahoma Sooners following the 2016 season. Nearly a decade later, Stoops is officially closing the book on his career.

“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 a lot of gratitude.”

Stoops began coaching at his alma mater, Iowa. Five years in Iowa City led to him leaving for Kent State before getting named the defensive backs coach at Kansas State under Bill Snyder in 1989. Seven seasons and a stop at Florida then took place before finally landing in Norman just ahead of the turn of the century.

Before Oklahoma could blink, they were atop the college football world. The Sooners won a national championship in 2000, the lone one of Stoops’ career. However, plenty of hardware is still in the trophy cabinet as Stoops took home 10 Big 12 titles and eight different national Coach of the Year awards.

In 18 full seasons, Stoops finished with a record of 190-48. His Big 12 record is even more impressive, posting 121 wins and 29 losses. Oklahoma went to a bowl game every single year, 11 of which were BCS Bowls, plus two appearances in the College Football Playoff.

But the most special coaching performance for Stoops might be his final one in charge. When Oklahoma was searching for a replacement for a USC-bound Lincoln Riley in 2021, athletic director Joe Castiglione appointed Stoops as the interim. Oklahoma went down to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl, defeating the Oregon Ducks before Brent Venables officially took over.

This came in the middle of his stint with the XFL/UFL club. Stoops coached in four seasons with the Renegades, making the playoffs just once. However, a run did take place to bring the franchise its first-ever championship. His final record sat at 14-21, never managing to put together a winning campaign.

“While it’s the right time for me to step aside, be with family, and embrace the next chapter of my life, I do so with deep appreciation and full confidence in the bright future of the UFL,” Stoops said. “This league is on the rise, and I’ll remain its biggest supporter.”