The Oklahoma Sooners are officially entering a new era in college football, and they’re doing it with one of their most iconic figures back in the fold. Legendary head coach Bob Stoops has rejoined the Oklahoma program as a senior advisor, a strategic and emotional move meant to anchor the program as it navigates its first full season in the SEC. This return is more than ceremonial; it’s a calculated decision by both Stoops and head coach Brent Venables to strengthen the program’s footing as it prepares to face a gauntlet of weekly competition unlike anything the Sooners have ever experienced in the Big 12.
Bob Stoops is no stranger to high-stakes football. He built Oklahoma into a perennial powerhouse over 18 seasons from 1999 to 2016, winning a national championship in just his second year and amassing a 190-48 record before stepping down. His resume includes 10 Big 12 titles, a .798 winning percentage, and a legacy that redefined the program post-Switzer. Now, in a time of historic transition, Stoops is back—not to call plays or patrol the sidelines with a headset, but to lend his wisdom, presence, and steady hand to a program he helped restore to national prominence.
The timing could not be more fitting. Oklahoma’s move to the SEC has been circled on calendars since it was first announced, representing a seismic shift in college football’s landscape. For a team used to dominating in the Big 12, this transition to the nation’s most competitive conference brings new challenges. Weekly matchups against the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee are no longer hypothetical postseason possibilities—they’re regular season certainties. The physicality is different, the depth charts are deeper, and the expectations, both from the fanbase and the national media, are elevated. It’s a crucible, and the Sooners are preparing to step into the fire. Having Bob Stoops on board for that journey makes it clear: Oklahoma isn’t just looking to survive the SEC—they’re aiming to thrive.
When Stoops left coaching in 2016, he handed the reins to Lincoln Riley and appeared to be at peace with his decision. But his love for the game—and for Oklahoma—never waned. That love was on full display in 2021, when he stepped in to coach the team in the Alamo Bowl following Riley’s abrupt departure to USC. In that brief return, Stoops reminded everyone just how much he still means to the program, leading the Sooners to a resounding 47-32 win over Oregon. It wasn’t just about Xs and Os—it was about continuity, trust, and legacy. Now, with Brent Venables entering his third season and trying to solidify Oklahoma’s place among college football’s elite once more, Stoops’ return as a senior advisor brings that same stability and sense of mission.
Venables himself is a product of Stoops’ coaching tree. He served as Stoops’ defensive coordinator for over a decade before taking the Clemson job and then returning to Norman to lead the program. The relationship between the two is deep-rooted and built on mutual respect. Having Stoops around isn’t about micromanagement or second-guessing—it’s about mentorship, guidance, and strategic foresight. Venables is known for his intensity and defensive acumen, but in his first two seasons as head coach, he’s faced the learning curve that comes with leading a blueblood program during an unstable era of NIL, transfer portals, and conference realignment. Stoops provides a sounding board and a bridge to the past, ensuring that the values that made Oklahoma successful don’t get lost amid all the change.
There’s also an emotional component to Stoops’ return that can’t be ignored. For fans, alumni, and current players, his presence evokes a sense of pride and purpose. He’s not just a legendary coach—he’s a symbol of Oklahoma football at its best. And at a time when identity is more important than ever, having someone who understands what it means to wear the crimson and cream and walk the halls of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is invaluable. He knows what excellence looks like. He knows what it takes to win big games in November and December. And now he’s lending that knowledge to the next generation.
Practically speaking, Stoops’ role will involve high-level advising across the football operations spectrum. He’ll be part of strategic conversations regarding recruiting, game planning, player development, and perhaps most importantly, navigating the cultural and competitive differences between the Big 12 and the SEC. He understands that this transition is not just about schematics—it’s about mindset. The SEC is brutal, relentless, and unforgiving. Teams that succeed don’t just have talent—they have a culture of toughness, accountability, and resilience. Stoops built that culture once. Now he’s helping ensure it gets rebuilt.
His influence may also help in the recruiting battles that define modern college football. Recruits and their families value stability and credibility, especially with the fluid nature of the current landscape. Having a Hall of Fame-caliber coach in the building, involved in key conversations, adds weight to Oklahoma’s pitch. It tells players that the Sooners are serious about winning and that they’re surrounded by minds who’ve done it at the highest level. It’s a chess move in a game where perception often matters as much as performance.
For Stoops himself, the return is a full-circle moment. After nearly a decade away from the day-to-day grind of college football, he’s stepping back into the fray—not for glory or headlines, but because he loves the program and sees an opportunity to contribute meaningfully. He’s made clear that this is not a comeback in the traditional sense. He has no interest in returning to the sidelines full-time. But he also couldn’t ignore the call to help when the stakes were this high. The SEC isn’t just another conference—it’s the apex of college football. And Stoops is a competitor. He wants to see Oklahoma prove itself on that stage.
Already, players have responded positively to his presence. During spring practices, multiple Sooners spoke about the energy and insight he brings to the facility. Some weren’t even born when Stoops won his national title in 2000, but his reputation transcends generations. He’s not a relic—he’s a resource. His voice carries weight not because it’s loud, but because it’s earned. In film rooms, position meetings, and off-field discussions, he provides a calm amid chaos, a compass amid uncertainty. For young players trying to find their footing in a pressure-cooker environment, that kind of leadership is invaluable.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma faces a daunting first full season in the SEC. The schedule is brutal, with trips to Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge, a Red River rivalry game against Texas that has never carried more weight, and a home slate that includes some of the best programs in the country. Every week will be a test. Every win will be earned. There will be no layups, no coasting, and no mercy. That’s the SEC way. But it’s also the kind of challenge that Stoops relishes—and the kind of stage where he’s always thrived.
For the fans, this move is a rallying cry. It’s a signal that Oklahoma isn’t content to be a middle-of-the-pack SEC team. They didn’t join the conference to blend in. They joined to compete, to contend, and to win championships. Bringing Stoops back into the fold aligns with that ambition. It’s not about living in the past—it’s about building a future that honors that past while adapting to the present.
Ultimately, the story of Oklahoma’s transition to the SEC will be written by the players and coaches on the field. But behind the scenes, Bob Stoops will be there—watching, advising, and guiding. His fingerprints will be on every major decision, every key adjustment, and every cultural evolution the program undertakes. He’s not the head coach anymore, but his role might be just as important. Because leadership takes many forms, and sometimes the most powerful presence is the one that knows exactly when to speak, exactly what to say, and exactly how to inspire.
For Oklahoma, this moment feels both historic and hopeful. The challenge is great, but so is the opportunity. And with Bob Stoops back in Norman, helping steer the ship, the Sooners aren’t just bracing for the SEC storm—they’re ready to ride the wave.