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Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE / US PRESSWIRE
April 14, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops screams at his unit during the first half of the Oklahoma Spring match at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE ORG XMIT: USPW-81324 10112012xSPORTS 10122012xBRIEFING
Oklahoma reportedly broke away from defensive coordinator Mike Stoops in the wake of the 48-45 Sooners defeat of Texas on Saturday.
In the meantime, it seems that Stoops is being replaced by Ruffin McNeill or Bob Diaco. McNeill was Lincoln Riley's first coaching hiring after Bob Stoops resigned last summer. Riley worked alongside McNeill at Texas Tech and East Carolina. Diaco has been hired as a defensive analyst this off season and has previous DC experience in Nebraska, Notre Dame and UConn.
But in the future, who could replace Stoops?
Ideas will not fail. Riley and athletic director Joe Castiglione will likely lead a national search looking for a defensive coordinator to take the reins.
I asked a question to the fans of OU Sunday evening: who do you want to see replace Stoops?
Here is a breakdown of what was floated by the faithful OR, sorted by probability.
The dream pipe
Bud Foster, Defensive Coordinator, Va Tech
The long-time defensive coordinator of Virginia Tech would be the most wanted coach in the match if he announced that he would leave Blacksburg. Foster has been part of the Hokies since 1987 and is perhaps the country's most stable spirit of defense.
But there is no reason to believe that a blank check from Oklahoma may convince him to leave. He has experienced several coaching changes and has surely already turned down lucrative opportunities. The only connection unit has? Shane Beamer, son of legendary Va Tech coach Frank Beamer, is part of the staff. But do not hold your breath.
Always too high shot
Mel Tucker, Defensive Coordinator, Georgia
Mel Tucker is a highly respected defensive spirit who has sometimes managed to offend OR's attack at the Rose Bowl of last season. He is probably also out of the OU league at this stage. To move from Washington's employment in Oklahoma to the United States would be at best a lateral move, even if it included a healthy increase.
Beyond that, Tucker would seem to be competing for the head coaching opportunities this season. He would have been a finalist for the post in Tennessee before Jeremy Pruitt got the job.
Jimmy Lake, Defensive Coordinator, Washington
Jimmy Lake is another potentially interesting candidate, but there is no reason to think he would leave the Huskies for the same job at Norman. He signed a contract that brings him over a million dollars a year during the off season, a figure higher than what Stoops was earning in Oklahoma.
Legitimate claimants
Alex Grinch, Co-Coordinator of Defense, Ohio State
Alex Grinch is a well respected defensive coach. He is currently Greg Schiano Batman's Robin in the Ohio State's defensive coaching staff. Previously, he had spent three years successfully as Mike Leach's defensive coordinator in Washington State before agreeing to join the Urban Meyer staff.
Grinch, 37, would be a forward-thinking candidate for Riley. He has been successful in defending all sorts of offenses, including the spread, both in Pullman and Columbus. He reportedly brought in $ 800,000 this year, so the Sooners could offer a substantial increase and increased responsibility for getting him out of the Ohio state.
Tim DeRuyter, Defensive Coordinator, Cal
Former Texas A & M DC driver Tim DeRuyter had a great career at Cal. After a few years of success in the defense of the Aggies, DeRuyter left for the position of manager at Fresno State, where he had much less success.
But he bounced back in his second year at Cal and led the Bears to No. 6 defense of the country until now, according to S & P +. At 55, he may be a little older than Riley is looking for. But it has recruitment links with Texas and could bring an immediate improvement in 2019.
Pete Golding, co-defensive coordinator, Alabama
Pete Golding is a bit of a joker, but he checks all the boxes for what the OU might look for. He is young, has been very successful and has ties to Texas. It does not hurt that he had the last year to learn from Nick Saban either.
Before going to Tuscaloosa, Golding was the defensive coordinator of UTSA and led the Roadrunners to the country's No. 7 defense last season, in yards per game.
Like Grinch, the upcoming call to Norman would be an opportunity to build his own defense from the ground up. He reportedly reported $ 650,000 this year, so the Sooners could also offer a significant increase if they decided that Golding was their guy.
The next level
Randy Shannon, Defensive Coordinator, UCF
Randy Shannon s' settled in central Florida after the fire of the Jim McElwain era in Florida. Shannon was the DC of the Gators for three years before becoming his interim head coach once McElwain was released.
The McElwain Gators were defective, but the defense was not in question. Things collapsed in 2017, but Shannon led Florida to the top seven S & P + defenses in 2016 and 2015. At UCF, this defense is currently ranked 32nd in the same indicator. The Miami head coach is known for his tough term, but Shannon has rebounded well.
With regard to recruiting links in the region, Shannon spent a season as a coach of the TCU linebackers in 2012. He also has extensive experience in the state of Florida, a priority of the OR under Riley.
Bryan Bowen, Defensive Coordinator, App State
Bryan Bowen is a promising defensive name, but he may not be ready for a job like Oklahoma. It's his first season as an App State DC after serving the previous six seasons as a half school corner coach. One more reason to consider it anyway: its defenses have always been among the best in the country for interceptions.
Dark horses
Morgan Scalley, Defensive Coordinator, Utah
Morgan Scalley is an interesting option, but it may not be perfect in Oklahoma. Scalley spent his entire career in Utah and also played for the Utes. He has no recruitment links in the region and a marginal increase will probably not attract him far from where he has been since 2001.
Marcus Freeman, Defensive Coordinator, Cincinnati
If the target unit is focused on hiring a young member country, Marcus Freeman is perfect. He is 32 and is not so far away from a successful career at Ohio State and in the NFL. With young people comes inexperience. This season with the Bearcats is only his second as a defensive coordinator. Nor does it have any links with the region or with any staff member.
Mike Houston, Head Coach, James Madison
Mike Houston, suggested by RedDirtSport above, is perhaps the most intriguing name on this list. He is already head coach three times and so it makes sense that he would no longer be interested in an assistant position.
But OR could potentially offer him a pay raise to work for Riley at Norman, and he would be on a much higher national stage than his current position. As a head coach, he is 75 to 23 years old at Lenoir-Rhyne clubs, The Citadel and James Madison. It always seems like a long wait that he agrees to become an assistant again for the first time since 2010.
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