Its team. Its coaches. Surely Sooners fans feel the same way.
Still, Stoops said Thursday that he’d help both players revive their careers elsewhere.
“I will help them,” Stoops said. “I’m all for kids and feel, in a way, compassion for them, though they stung us in a big way.
“It’s just my nature to be that way. I think all us coaches are that way.
Stoops reiterated that the dismissals of Bomar and Quinn were permanent and that neither would be Sooners again.
He also said both apologized for the actions - accepting payment not earned - that led to their departure from the squad. Their actions could draw an NCAA investigation and already have given the program a black eye.
Stoops said Bomar and Quinn seemed remorseful in private conversations.
“I did sense that,” Stoops said.
So far, neither Bomar nor Quinn has given any indication of what’s in their future. With NCAA suspensions likely, their options are limited.
But when and if either decides to play college football again, Stoops won’t stand in the way.
“I would grant them a release and give them opportunity if they wanted to go somewhere else,” Stoops said. “We’ll see how that works for them.
“We’re going to do what we can if they want to choose another path.”
