Bob Stoops considered stepping away after Russell Athletic Bowl

Bob Stoops picks up a broken piece of his headset during the Russell Athletic Bowl loss to Clemson. [OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES]NORMAN — Bob Stoops was discouraged.

The consummate leader, the epitome of the power of positive thinking, OU's Dr. Norman Vincent Zeal, was down. If not down, then angry. Down over the status of Sooner football. Angry at himself for allowing the brand to slip, even if only by Stoops' own absurdly high standards.

Stoops considered quitting as the Oklahoma football coach. It was the final day or two of 2014 and the first day or two of 2015.

These days, the Sooners ride high. Stoops produced two straight Big 12 championship teams, Baker Mayfield became a hero for the ages and…