Berry Tramel, Sports columnist

Read more columns by Berry Tramel. Or visit Berry's blog

Contact Berry -- E-mail: btramel@opubco.com. Phone: (405) 475-3313.

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David Stanley Ford

Coach-friendly owner could make Denver Broncos job attractive to OU head coach Bob Stoops
Denver's Pat Bowlen is an OU graduate who runs a classy organization

By Berry Tramel    Comments Comment on this article62
Published: December 31, 2008


Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen struggles to answer a question while talking about the termination of head coach Mike Shanahan during a news conference at the football team's headquarters in Denver on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

When Steve Spurrier’s two-year adventure with the Washington Redskins ended in ignominy, we figured the ol’ ballcoach had a message for protégé Bob Stoops.

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Stay away from the NFL.

But what if Spurrier’s real advice was a tad different. What if Spurrier said just stay away from unstable NFL owners.

The Skins’ Daniel Snyder is one of those quick-trigger owners who thinks last, if he thinks at all.

Which brings us to Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who is not in the Snyder/Jerry Jones/Al Davis lineage.

Bowlen fired his coach, Mike Shanahan, this week, but Bowlen clearly is a quality owner with patience. Bowlen runs a classy franchise and a coach-friendly organization.

If Stoops ever thought about the NFL, the Broncos are the kind of organization he would consider.

I don’t think Stoops is itching to leave Oklahoma. I think he’s probably here for the long haul. But most coaches have some kind of tug to try football at the highest level. Stoops has admitted in the past that the NFL could be alluring at some point.

OU president David Boren said he most worried about losing Stoops not to the University of Florida, but to the Cleveland Browns.

Few NFL teams could be more attractive than the Broncos. Historically solid talent base. Good place to live. And ownership Stoops could trust.

Bowlen is a 1965 OU graduate (business degree, with an OU law degree to follow). He and Stoops have a relationship to some degree; Stoops has visited Bronco training camp in the past and has visited with Bowlen.

Bowlen bought the Broncos in 1984. Counting Shanahan, he’s made three coaching changes in 24 years. That’s far below the NFL standard.

Only the Steelers (three coaches in the last 40 years) have been more stable than Denver. The NFL average since 1984 is 5.7 coaches per franchise.

Bowlen said he didn’t want a coach/general manager, which basically is what Shanahan was. I don’t think that would be a problem for Stoops.

He’s smart enough to know the NFL is too complicated for a novice, and maybe for a veteran, to tackle both jobs.

What’s much more important than power is people. The people you work with and the people you work for. Few NFL owners would be as attractive as Pat Bowlen.

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David Stanley Ford





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Stoops is being considered, thought of, interested in, wishing for, on the short list, one of the top 6, for the job here in Denver. Fact! He is friends with the owner, an OU grad and has visited training camp of the Broncos. Great organization, owner, new stadium, and high draft pick with a very talented QB! Those are all facts and Tramel is correct that Bob is being looked at by Mr. Bowlen.
Robert, Denver - Jan 1, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I'm guessing, but what might really be attractive to Stoops is becoming the rare coach who never got fired.
bob, anadarko - Jan 1, 2009 at 11:27 am
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I wish Berwry Twammell would go away. Poor journalism and just plain ignorance when it comes to his opinion in sports. Uses headlines to draw you into his worthless articles and ignorant editorials. And his appearances on The Sports Animal are even worse.
Mitch, Oklahoma City - Jan 1, 2009 at 9:30 am
I'm not going to bash Tramel for writing this, but I will bash his timing. Will you guys just leave all the negativity until AFTER the national title? My God...The bowl game hasn't even been played, but the DOK always finds ways to make Sooner fans panic. God knows what it'll do to the focus of the football team. You guys never fail to make me sick around bowl season....
Zach, Perkins - Dec 31, 2008 at 11:44 pm
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Why would you work for a guy who fire a "good friend" like Shanahan without giving him a heads up and a chance to resign. I think winning two Super Bowls would earn you that respect.
steve, nicholasville - Dec 31, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I do think that Tramel is making stuff as he goes. Realize that there is nothing to write about and the broncos job comes open. It also happen when Bill Parcels left Dallas, it happens all the time. In the other hand why will Stoops want to leave Oklahoma? He is the king of the castle, the undisputed face of the state of Oklahoma, is like Pete Carroll leaving USC, ain't going to happen, very similar situation.
Jose, Moore - Dec 31, 2008 at 10:56 pm
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If I can remember correctly, I think Coach Switzer said it best, more people will be interested in the job he (Coach Stoops) is leaving than the one he is going to, if Stoops ever decides to coach somewhere else.
J, Broken Arrow - Dec 31, 2008 at 10:50 pm
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If I can remember correctly, I think Coach Switzer said it best, more people will be interested in the job he (Coach Stoops) is leaving than the one he is going to, if Stoops ever decides to coach somewhere else.
J, Broken Arrow - Dec 31, 2008 at 10:35 pm
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I think oops stoops will be 'encouraged' to take the job, afterall, his team will lose big time to Florida. I have spoken and write it down!
LG, Yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 10:34 pm
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I think oops stoops will be 'encouraged' to take the job, afterall, his team will lose big time to Florida. I have spoken and write it down!
LG, Yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 10:33 pm
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I do think that Tramel is making stuff as he goes. Realize that there is nothing to write about and the broncos job comes open. It also happen when Bill Parcels left Dallas, it happens all the time. In the other hand why will Stoops want to leave Oklahoma? He is the king of the castle, the undisputed face of the state of Oklahoma, is like Pete Carroll leaving USC, ain't going to happen, very similar situation.
Jose, Moore - Dec 31, 2008 at 10:16 pm
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I live and die with Bob Stoops but, What the heck was Bowlen thinking? He sees the turn around in Miami and thinks "That is the Broncos next year" He forgot about the 1 win and more losses than I have fingers and toes part. Pat Bowlen knew that wasn't the right thing to do. I am going to laugh very hard when the Jets, with Shannahan as coach, is in the AFC championship game and the Broncos are looking for win #2. No way do you leave a 6 mil a year job to take a 1/4 mil job. Bob will leave someday, to Florida but, to retire...
Glenn, Oklahoma City - Dec 31, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Hey people! The timing of the article has NOTHING to do with the upcoming NC game, but with firing of Shanahan yesterday! If Stoops were EVER to jump to the NFL, this would be the ideal job, for all the reasons brought out in the article. If you think Bob would NEVER leave OU, then you must be dreaming. He is in mid-career, he has the right NFL type of personality (think Bill Belichick), and I think he could command the respect of the players, as opposed to the ill-fated Spurrier excursion into the pros. Like most of you, I don't believe he will leave OU right now, but unlike you, I would not bet my house on it...maybe you wouldn't either, actually. If I had to bet, I'd want odds, maybe 4-1 at least, but 6-1 would be better. At 10-1, I might consider betting the house, after all.
Bob, Signal Hill - Dec 31, 2008 at 9:12 pm
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All I know is the bowl game in Atlanta is proof of how to play in someone's back yard! #14 Georgia Tech is getting WHIPPED only 2 miles from their stadium by non ranked LSU. Anyone want to cry about "the home field advantage" in bowl games anymore? That's how you play in someone's back yard!
ALBERT, BETHANY - Dec 31, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Hey Joe in Norman.....

It's Berry's job to create news stories??? Is he the one who created that silly World War II story?

Once again, it's a reporters job to cover the news, not make it up. This hack makes up enough crap to write a Fox sitcom. LA Berry! Beautiful place to live and classy folks! Berry you could even join a club....blood!

And if you haven't noticed, ESPN makes up just as much crap, if not more. Keeps people in Bristol thinking they run every sport. It works on a lot of "follow the leader" type individuals too.
randy, topeka - Dec 31, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Why are you guys attacking Tramel? If you don't see any way in which Stoops would leave, then why worry about it? And, if you do, then maybe Tramel is onto something.
Ryan - Dec 31, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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I thought the media finally got tired of trying to spread these rumors that Bob was leaving OU. How many times does he have to say he's not going anywhere before they get the message? I guess at least one more time.
Larry, Tulsa - Dec 31, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Awww..Hell-to-the-NO. Stoops couldn't hold Shanahan's dirty sock when it comes to football knowledge. Stoops is a great college manager....he would never be able to translate that into an NFL career. We Bronco fans deserve much better than that, and not just picking on Stoops but there aren't many college coaches who could hit the ground running and fill Shanahan's shoes.
Mark, Oklahoma City - Dec 31, 2008 at 7:18 pm
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Hey! If you guys want to see what Tramel is all about and see him prove his intelligence level, check this article out...what a doofus, definitely the product of an okie 47th ranked education...more than likely he's here because he's got no place else to go....

http://newsok.com/nfl-end-of-an-aura-in-dallas/article/3331614
paul, yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 6:18 pm
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Hey! If you guys want to see what Tramel is all about and see him prove his intelligence level, check this article out...what a doofus, definitely the product of an okie 47th ranked education...more than likely he's here because he's got no place else to go....

http://newsok.com/nfl-end-of-an-aura-in-dallas/article/3331614
paul, yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 6:15 pm
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Unlike most of us, leaders like Mr. Stoops live to prove something to themselves. Normal people like us worries about every day problems such as food on the table, roof over our heads. What's Bob got to lose. What else does he have to prove at OU? I would not be surprised if Bob decides to do something else. After all, he can say he "did it his way"....
trung, oklahoma city - Dec 31, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Bob,Edmond...send BT to Alaska. Those guys in WF hate Oklahoma. I don't mean the football team, I mean the State.
JH, deep red creek - Dec 31, 2008 at 5:43 pm
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Just trying to stir something up huh Berry....I mean really? its columnists like you that just grab stuff out of thin air and start rumors. What a joke you are
Eric, Norman - Dec 31, 2008 at 5:31 pm
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Bewwy, you continue to amaze me. You are now entering the Jenni Carlson writing academy as a 2nd year freshman. I think it is time to trade you to Wichita Falls and get a sports writer in here.
Bob, Edmond - Dec 31, 2008 at 5:29 pm
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Oh come on, people....just what do you think reporters are supposed to do? You have a couple of different types: 1) those who sit at a desk and read crap that others wrote on a teleprompter; and 2) those who write the crap to begin with. News is not always good.
Vern, Rogers - Dec 31, 2008 at 5:18 pm
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Introducing the next coach of the Detroit Lions...Bob Stoops!

And with the first pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...Sam Bradford, University of Oklahoma!

What?
It could happen.
What, ? - Dec 31, 2008 at 5:01 pm
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Everyone complains about the article, but it served its purpose. In less than 2 hours there are 33 comments. You all know that the DOK makes money on advertising everytime you come on here. They get paid when you complain!
matt, Moore - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:59 pm
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I understand the timing of this article is less than perfect, but there is talk on ESPN that Stoop's name could be on the list. This is a true compliment to your coach that he would be considered for this stature of an NFL position. I personally do not think he's going anywhere, but what do I know. I am a Pokes fan and still bleeding a little bit from last night.

Good luck Sooners with your National Championship bid.
Laura, Tulsa - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:55 pm
stoops won't go - got it too good at ou.
Mike, Oklahoma City - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:53 pm
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Bowlen is a class act!
p.p.k.a.

J, Norman - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:48 pm
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you would have to be crazy to trade shanahan for stoops in the NFL and how can you say washington is a revolving door how many years did gibbs coach?
jeff, del city - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:41 pm
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It's called doing research, interviewing people, digging into the facts... finding quaility stories to publish. The sports staff at the dok really lacks in creativity, originality and factual.
Jess, Warr Acres - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:36 pm
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If Chris Berman leaves ESPN, would Berry "Face Made for Radio" Tramel be interested in replacing him? He might. Seriously. Bristol is a beautiful place to live. Classy folks.
John, Ada - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:31 pm
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Nice Ralph reference Louis...
Daniel, Norman - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:26 pm


Does anyone that works for the "World According to Gaylord" have a degree in journalism???
patti, el reno - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Where is the "Ignore Berry Tramel" button?
Gary, Oklahoma City - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:23 pm
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"Denver's Pat Bowlen is an OU graduate who run a classy organization"..........Who run a classy organization? Me fail English? That's unpossible.
Louis Friend, Norman - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:09 pm
We don't need any distractions let the team and coaches focus fully on Florida. On January 9 you can talk about coaches, seniors and under classman future.
Christopher, Tomball - Dec 31, 2008 at 4:07 pm
sorry. hit the refresh button and my post got submitted again and then again. Weird.
fred, houston - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:59 pm
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Why would you even write such tripe? Let's just make up a headline that make people read a story that has no factual basis other than some biographical points on Bowlen. You just put yourself in the same league as another maligned Oklahoman columnist and that is not necessarily a good thing.
This is the kind of krap I typically read while standing in line to check-out at the grocery store. Maybe you can have a column tomorrow with the following headline: "UFO's caught spying on OU practices"




"
fred, houston - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:57 pm
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Why would you even write such tripe? Let's just make up a headline that make people read a story that has no factual basis other than some biographical points on Bowlen. You just put yourself in the same league as another maligned Oklahoman columnist and that is not necessarily a good thing.
This is the kind of krap I typically read while standing in line to check-out at the grocery store. Maybe you can have a column tomorrow with the following headline: "UFO's caught spying on OU practices"




"
fred, houston - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:55 pm
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Dude, what does this have to with OSU?????
Kathy, Yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Why would you even write such tripe? Let's just make up a headline that make people read a story that has no factual basis other than some biographical points on Bowlen. You just put yourself in the same league as another maligned Oklahoman columnist and that is not necessarily a good thing.
This is the kind of krap I typically read while standing in line to check-out at the grocery store. Maybe you can have a column tomorrow with the following headline: "UFO's caught spying on OU practices"




"
fred, houston - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:44 pm
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Never say never. But I doubt Stoops would leave after this year. He is happy at OU, and treated like a king. OSU is so jealous that they don't have him that him staying at OU is priceless.....
UnSub, Yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Never say never. But I doubt Stoops would leave after this year. He is happy at OU, and treated like a king. OSU is so jealous that they don't have him that him staying at OU is priceless.....
UnSub, Yukon - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Trammel wasn't the only one thinking this, I heard the same thing on ESPN last night. If Stoops really loves OU so much, you Gooners have nothing to worry about.
Joel, Boulder - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:38 pm
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The grammar in the article subtitle tells us a lot about the author's attention to accuracy and detail.
Dan, oklahoma city - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:38 pm
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Happy New Year to you, too, Berry. Seriously, slow news day? Isn't there a national title game coming up that you can wax rhapsodic about?

This is serious troll shite here.
B, Oklahoma City - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:30 pm
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Barry you get paid to be a journalist right? Now where in the hell do you come up with some of this shit? Man lets make sure the brain is on before the pen is put in use!
Bill, Columbus - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:28 pm
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no shit - wait until after the game on jan 8th to run these crazy national enquirer like stories
Brad, Washington D.C. - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:24 pm
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Stoops wont leave.
BH, oklahoma - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:19 pm
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Good grief.

What does Tramel eat before he goes to bed? To dream this crap up?
John, Ada - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:15 pm
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no shit - wait until after the game on jan 8th to run these crazy national enquirer like stories
Brad, Washington D.C. - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:11 pm
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An interesting possibility- could certainly see the appeal to Stoops.
Mark, Overland Park - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:11 pm
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Berry, my friend, please not now.
Jeff, Tulsa - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:05 pm
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Bill Cowher is taking the Denver Job. I guarantee it!!
jeff, Harrah - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:04 pm
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Tram doesn't know chit! He works for a paper that constantly runs incorrect stories, many of which have words spelled incorrectly.
Louis Friend, Norman - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:04 pm
After a good beatin of Florida and another national championship...Stoops 'could' be gone. Hey, but Tramel just feels like he has to create news stories, that's his job. However, why not Detroit ..haha.
Joe, Norman - Dec 31, 2008 at 3:02 pm
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I think he is gone. Welcome to Broncoland Bobby!
Kevin, Tulsa - Dec 31, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Here we go again Barry with your what if's. I called you on it when you said Stoops was going to Dallas and you told me it would happen. I know your just trying stir up debate, but more important it questions your qualifications as a journalist. Your hoping one of these days it may ring true and you can say I told you so. I don't know who's worse you or Rick from Duncan. Stoops has a national contender and loves the college game. He in no way would place himself in the midst of millionaire brat athletes. Maybe in another 10 years maybe, but Stoops is a contender.
jeff, Harrah - Dec 31, 2008 at 2:55 pm
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Here we go again Barry with your what if's. I called you on it when you said Stoops was going to Dallas and you told me it would happen. I know your just trying stir up debate, but more important it questions your qualifications as a journalist. Your hoping one of these days it may ring true and you can say I told you so. I don't know who's worse you or Rick from Duncan. Stoops has a national contender and loves the college game. He in no way would place himself in the midst of millionaire brat athletes. Maybe in another 10 years maybe, but Stoops is a contender.
jeff, Harrah - Dec 31, 2008 at 2:54 pm
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