Bob Stoops and Notre Dame have been linked together before. Now, Bob Stoops and Notre Dame stand to be linked for a while, at least until the Irish get a new coach or commit to Charlie Weis. Bob Stoops was a Notre Dame candidate for head coach before Charlie Weis came on board, and could be one again if Weis is fired. However, things are different now than they were the last time Bob Stoops got connected to Notre Dame.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Bob Stoops could have interest in the Notre Dame coaching job if Weis is finally fired. Since Bob Stoops is a big name, and since he is Catholic, many wouldn’t be surprised if the Irish turned to the Oklahoma coach. Of course, such speculation is very premature, but it doesn’t matter.
Charlie Weis still isn’t fired, and Stoops remains the coach of Oklahoma. However, Weis is in very big trouble now, and it could take one or two more losses this year to finally get rid of him. As for Stoops, Oklahoma might be less reluctant to let him go after this disappointing season – though Sam Bradford’s injury has as much to do with it as Stoops.
When Bob Stoops and Notre Dame were linked together years ago, Stoops was a darling at Oklahoma, and was a proven big game winner. Things have changed now, as Notre Dame is basically irrelevant in name only, and Weis has only made it worse. But Stoops himself may not seem like the right solution now.
In the last several years, Stoops’ standing has gone down as well, due to many bad BCS losses. Although Stoops has one national championship, he has come up short many times in getting a second, and the Sooners aren’t even in contention this year. Even if Stoops comes to Notre Dame, the Irish would be getting a coach who has his own problems in returning to glory lately.
Bob Stoops and Notre Dame have each seen better days, so that might make them a good fit. However, he may just be a sideshow if this Irish coaching search is for real. The Irish’s real best hope to become a national power again may be Urban Meyer, if they get him away from Florida. Though the Stoops rumors have started, they will be nothing compared to the Meyer-Notre Dame rumors just dying to resume as well.
For now, Charlie Weis is still in charge, and may have his job on the line when the Irish face Connecticut and Stanford to close the year.
Sources
Chicago Sun Times- “Just 1 more pitt fall for Irish”
Tulsa World- “Irish eyes on Stoops again? Wait just a second”
