After the 1996 season, Stoops turned down the Minnesota coaching job that eventually went to Glen Mason. Stoops' offensive coordinator, Mike Leach, resigned this week to become the coach at Texas Tech. But there are two big differences between Stoops '96 and Leach '99. Tech is a better job than Minnesota. Tech has been in five bowl games since 1993 alone, including the Cotton.
Tech is in West Texas, which produces football players and tumbleweeds.
Minnesota is in Minneapolis, which produces snowstorms and hockey players. Stoops was dealing from a position of strength. Before coming to Oklahoma, he was the nation's hottest assistant coach. He had helped Bill Snyder pull off the Manhattan Miracle at Kansas State, and helped Steve Spurrier win the 1996 national title at Florida. Stoops could pass on Minnesota knowing Iowa or Oklahoma or some other big-time program would call.