Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops grew up valuing education.
His father, Ron Stoops, was a longtime high school teacher and coach. His sister, Kathy Drummond, is a teacher in their hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.
Stoops was asked after Wednesday's practice about the ongoing teacher walkout in the state and the state of education funding.
“Always felt like for how important teaching is for young people, it's hard to really justify why it's such a poorly paid position,” he said. “I understand it's a freedom of choice and people have the right to decide what they want to do with their futures.