Associated Press
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. ó It’s becoming an annual event: A prime coaching job opens up, Bob Stoops’ name lands on the supposed short list of candidates, only for him to say he’s happy at Oklahoma.
The latest supposed will-he-or-won’t-he scenario: Stoops to the Denver Broncos?
Not happening, Stoops said Saturday after his team practiced at Barry University, just a few miles south of the site of Thursday’s Bowl Championship Series title game between his Sooners and the Florida Gators.
“What situation? That’s a rumor that I have not heard and no one has contacted me about that so I don’t know anything about it,” Stoops said. “We’re preparing for a national championship, that’s all my focus, all my concentration is on that, so obviously I’m not a candidate. I’m sure someone might have told me … if I was.”
The Broncos fired Mike Shanahan after 14 seasons on Tuesday.
“There’s no story,” Stoops said. “I’m not a candidate. This is the first I’ve heard about it.”
Maybe so, but Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson ó who’s from Colorado ó said he heard rumblings of Denver having interest in his boss, who just completed 10 years with the Sooners and earned a $3 million bonus for lasting a decade at the school.
“I love Colorado, but I don’t know if that’s for him,” Wilson said.
Denver already has put together a list of strong candidates.
Stoops indicated that he would try to shoot down the rumor with his players.
“It won’t take long,” Stoops said.
Still, even if there really is no interest in the Denver job, Stoops hasn’t closed the door on one day giving the NFL a try.
“At some point in my life or career, that may be the case,” Stoops said.