Highlights from Stoops ESPN tour
OU coach Bob Stoops flew to Bristol, Conn., conducting 14 interviews Thursday over a four-hour period on television, radio and the internet. Highlights from Stoops’ ESPN tour:
Alabama’s Nick Saban is prohibiting NFL scouts from attending practice: “We’re considering it,” Stoops said. “Something has to change. Not everybody, but sometimes agents are getting their information on young players from somebody, usually from scouts. In the end it’s being used against you. Hopefully we’ll get some cooperation through the NFL. There needs to be sanctions against these agents and players even after they’ve left college.”
Why not install a playoff system: “I’ve been on the fence where a playoff would be better. But in the end it’s not as feasible or as easy as everybody wants to make it sound. I saw the poll. The players still like the bowls. If the playoffs come the bowls will go away. It’s very naive to think they can coexist. That will not happen. In the end I don’t see it happening, the time restraints, travel issues. Let’s face it. What’s wrong with college football right now? The attendance doesn’t say so. It’s never been better. Maybe outside of the NFL it’s the leading sport.”
Controlling illegal activities: “People are naive if they think you know everything that is going on. It’s impossible (to know everything), especially if anyone is intentionally going to be deceitful or is hiding something. We do a lot of educating, not just Oklahoma but around the country… But if someone chooses to do something wrong there’s no way a coach can know.”
Playing a tough schedule: “Four games in a row we have Florida State, Air Force, which is coming off a big bowl win, go to Cincinnati, then Texas. That’s really tough. It’s really challenging. I always say it’s great as long as you win and you don’t get your quarterback hurt. Anything other than that everyone ends up saying, ‘Well you shouldn’t have played it’ or you’re penalized (by losing). It’s tough. It’s challenging. It is what it is. We’ll go play it.”
Criticism at a high profile program: “You’re going to have your times it isn’t the best or somebody has something to say that’s not very flattering or is hurtful. In the end you have to be thick skinned and understand that comes with the territory. I’m OK with that. Heck, we’ve been criticized for the way we win, let alone when we lose.”
