Stoops to Dallas? Collegiate pick isn't expected

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops probably won't be a candidate to take over the Dallas Cowboys. BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Some say no way will Jerry Jones hire a college coach. Others say Bob Stoops has been high on Jones' list since he realized Parcells was not the panacea he was purported to be.

Why not hire a college coach? Stoops, Carroll, Mack Brown, Les Miles, Crazy Chris Pedersen, I don't care. The notion that college coaches fail in the NFL is just plain wrong.

Since 1971, the NFL has hired 30 head coaches who came from the college ranks. Fifteen had winning NFL records. Bill Walsh and Jimmy Johnson built dynasties; Barry Switzer and Dick Vermeil won Super Bowls, although the latter won with his second franchise.

The last four hires from college — Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Butch Davis and Mike Riley — have largely been busts, but heck, so were Art Shell, Mora and Dennis Green, long-time pro products who were fired since season's end.

If Jones is partial to Stoops, or any other campus commander, hire him.

By Berry Tramel