College football: More offensive coordinators than defensive coaches are moving into head coaching positions

Oklahoma has survived back-to-back shootouts with West Virginia and Oklahoma State, winning 50-49 and 51-48, respectively.

“If you're a defensive coordinator or defensive coach, you're pulling your hair out,” said Mark Mangino, one of five OU offensive coordinators under Stoops who became FBS head coaches.

Bob Stoops said there's no reason college football programs can't have it both ways if they hire a defensive-oriented head coach.

Stoops, who was a defensive coordinator at Florida and Kansas State, said the key is hiring good offensive coaches.

“You hire a good offensive coordinator, like I feel I have through the years, and you're in good shape,” Bob Stoops said.

Some teams may be in good shape; for the most part, though, the same can't be said for defensive coordinators with head coaching aspirations.

“I knew as football was speeding up on offense, it would create some problems on defense,” Mangino said. “But I never thought we'd get to a point where we'd have games like (West Virginia-Baylor).

“But I think we will, until the defenses catch up. ... It may take a couple years, but they will catch up, and the offense will come up with something else to try to keep them off balance.”