Every Oklahoma assistant received a raise on Tuesday in Oklahoma City when the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents met. However, the $30,000 pay bump and extension (through 2020) Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops was awarded is head-scratcher for a few reasons.
With his 2019 stay bonus, Stoops could clear $1 million as OU’s highest paid assistant. This feels like a vote of confidence for a coach many fans—myself included—have reached the limit of what they’re willing to tolerate in the head of OU’s defense.
However, upon closer inspection, it doesn’t’ feel like Stoops has been rewarded for play-calling last season that resulted in a loss to Iowa State for the first time since 1990 and, ultimately, a loss in the Rose Bowl earlier this year—squib kick or not.