The Sooners were facing enough obstacles in their search for prospects this recruiting season before talk circulated pinning Stoops as a candidate to replace Bill Parcells with the Dallas Cowboys.
On ESPN. In newspapers. On radio talk shows. In message board posts.
So Stoops issued a statement Tuesday:
"To end speculation here in the heart of recruiting season, I want to make it clear that I am not interested in any other coaching positions at this time.
"I am too excited about our future at Oklahoma and the program we're continuing to build.”
Good move by Stoops. And a necessary one.
OU lost two commitments this week, including wide receiver James Kirkendoll of Round Rock, Texas, one of the top-rated players who had been pledged to the Sooners. Kirkendoll mentioned comments he'd heard about Rhett Bomar and possible probation for OU played in his decision.
It's not the first report of negative recruiting being used against the Sooners, who claim 11 commitments just 13 days before national signing day.
You can bet the Stoops-to-Dallas links were being used, too — and would have escalated — had the Sooners coach not addressed the speculation.
So Stoops, who typically ignores rumors about his job opportunities, broke character and issued his statement for the sake of the Sooners, who need to close strong to make the most of a small recruiting class.
Now, if quelling negative recruiting were only so simple.
