Bob Stoops Has No Interest in Replacing Joe Castiglione

Bob Stoops is not heading back to Norman in a suit and tie.

The legendary Oklahoma head coach was recently asked if he’d consider stepping in as the school’s new Athletic Director following Joe Castiglione’s upcoming retirement. His response was as Stoops as it gets.

“Oh no, no, no, no,” Stoops said. “If I wanted another job, I’d be a head coach again. At a university or somewhere. No, no. That job would never have been for me.”

In other words, he’s not trading playbooks for budgets anytime soon.

Stoops has always made it clear where his passion lies, and it’s not in administration. He’s still coaching, currently leading the Arlington Renegades in the UFL, and doesn’t sound like a man itching to step into the office full-time. That’s not his lane, and he’s not pretending otherwise.

The speculation did make sense, though. Stoops and Castiglione built Oklahoma into a national powerhouse together. Their partnership brought a national title, 10 Big 12 championships, and the kind of sustained success most programs only dream about. But just because he helped build it doesn’t mean he wants to manage it.

For Oklahoma, the message is clear. The next athletic director will not be Bob Stoops. He’s not a fallback plan or a quiet candidate waiting in the wings. Stoops belongs on a sideline, not in a boardroom.

That opens the door for Oklahoma to find a fresh face to continue the athletic department’s role in the SEC era. Meanwhile, Stoops will stick to what he does best: coaching, competing, and staying far away from conference calls and capital campaigns.

Big Game Bob is not becoming Big Office Bob anytime soon. That was never in the cards.