Oklahoma president: OU, Texas A&M got invites from SEC

The president of the University of Oklahoma says his school and Texas A&M both received invitations to join the Southeastern Conference during the last round of conference realignment. Oklahoma ended up remaining in the Big 12. University president David Boren said Wednesday that the Sooners had offers from both the SEC and the Pac-10. Boren says the Pac-10 offer was for five Big 12 schools — Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech — to join as a group. He says the SEC extended offers only to Oklahoma and Texas A&M, both of which opted to stay in a slimmed-down Big 12 after Colorado left for the Pac-10 and Nebraska left for the Big Ten. Boren says because the SEC offer didn’t include Oklahoma State and Texas, he didn’t consider it a good option. – CBS Sports

Did Bob Stoops prefer Pac-10?

As evidenced by a recent Q&A with Bob Stoops, even coaches feel a little left out of the expansion frenzy. Have you talked to (Nebraska coach) Bo Pelini? I talked to him after the fact. He felt the same way. He goes, ‘People want to know is this a good thing?’ Like he said, ‘Talk to me in five years and we’ll see how it’s all worked out for everybody.’ … It seemed like you’d warmed up to the idea of moving West? I thought it was exciting, when that all came about. We play Texas in the Cotton Bowl. But playing those other teams in Texas is a strong presence, us in Texas. Helps us recruiting. And that, along with travel, logistically is what was working. And then you add what the Pac-10 brings, which is long tradition and history, great schools, great academic schools. I just thought all of it was a win-win in my eyes. – The Oklahoman

Bob Stoops not optimistic about keeping Nebraska on Sooners schedule

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was asked if he would be interested in maintaining a relationship with Nebraska on the Sooners schedule? “Yes, we’ll stick them in between Cincinnati and Florida State. If we had a non-conference schedule like a lot of other teams, it would be awesome. But we don’t. Something’s got to change. If they’re willing to do it, we’ll have to make some serious adjustments in our schedule. I mean, we’ve got Notre Dame coming, LSU coming, Ohio State. We play a very difficult out-of-conference schedule. To stick them in between is not very realistic.” – Oklahoman

Texas’ departure for Pac-10 “imminent”

The departure of Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10 is imminent, four sources within the Big 12 said Monday. One source said commissioner Dan Beebe’s last-minute plan to save the conference has “zero” chance to succeed. Another source said it is “very unlikely” to succeed. Texas’ interests in being aligned with the research opportunities and academic missions of Pac-10 schools is driving the decision, along with money. Beebe’s last-ditch plan included an emotional plea about preserving rivalries and maintaining the best welfare of the student-athlete, one source said. Texas A&M is now most likely to join the SEC, a source within the Big 12 said. This move, in the wake of Colorado and Nebraska’s departure, would further diminish the chance of Beebe’s plan succeeding, one source said. Texas’ decision is expected to come no later than Tuesday. – WABC-TV

Aggies likely headed to SEC; OU next?

Multiple sources tell Orangebloods.com that Texas A&M has enough votes on its nine-member Board of Regents to join the Southeastern Conference and could announce that move as early as next week.A source close to the situation said A&M has an invitation from the SEC if it wants it. SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station on Saturday meeting with A&M officials, according to sources, although A&M athletic director Bill Byrne was in Idaho. The sources said the A&M regents who favor the move to the SEC outnumber those who favor staying with longtime rival Texas in a move to the Pac-10… According to sources, SEC commissioner Mike Slive and A&M are working feverishly to convince Oklahoma to join the SEC with the Aggies rather than follow Texas to the Pac-10. There is speculation among a few schools in the Big 12 that if OU had to choose between the Pac-10 and SEC, it would choose the SEC. But sources close to OU say, up to this point, the Sooners have made a decision to go with Texas and not break up one of college football’s most unique rivalries. – Orangebloods.com

Hold Everything: Big 12 may not be dead just yet

Three different sources at Big 12 South schools being targeted by the Pac-10 told Orangebloods.com Sunday morning that Dan Beebe’s attempts to secure a new TV deal on par with the SEC’s $17 million/school payout for the 10 remaining schools in the Big 12 is in play. The sources said they are proceeding cautiously with the new information provided by Beebe. But the information might slow down the rocket-like pace of Big 12 schools seeking a new home and possibly draw all the divided parties back to the table… Texas A&M has been in deep discussions with the SEC and as of Saturday night had enough votes on its Board of Regents to join the SEC (believed to be 6-3). But the dissenting votes on A&M’s regents board are apparently passionate about keeping Texas and A&M together and not breaking up a 100-year rivalry by having the schools head to different leagues. SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station Saturday. Sources close to the situation say A&M has an invitation to the SEC if it wants it. The SEC has also been doggedly pursuing Oklahoma. But thus far, OU, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State have indicated they would stay with Texas. Up to this point, that appeared to be an announcement to join the Pac-10, starting as early as Tuesday of this week. But with news that Texas is now seriously considering the Beebe Plan, there is a growing chance the Big 12, which is now at 10 schools (the Big Ten, by the way, is now at 12 schools) just might survive after all. – Orangebloods.com

Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops tops Notre Dame wish list

A university source told The Tribune last week that Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops topped the wish list, but Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick was emphatic Monday night that whoever he is mulling to be Weis’ successor, no candidates had been contacted in any way, shape or form prior to Monday’s press conference. Stoops continually denies that he’ll be anywhere but at Oklahoma in 2010 for his 12th season, but the smoke won’t clear from his name, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday via his Twitter account that “credible people (are) saying today they believe Bob Stoops will wind up coaching at Notre Dame next season.” – South Bend Tribune

Bob Stoops Tops Notre Dame’s List?

OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who was out Sunday recruiting with Stoops, told The Oklahoman Sunday night he didn’t think there was anything to the Notre Dame rumors, though admitted “Bob doesn’t talk about that stuff.” Another source close to the program told The Oklahoman reports that Stoops is interested in talking about the Notre Dame job are untrue. But as for Notre Dame’s interest in Stoops? At this point, he appears to be at the top of their wish list. That doesn’t mean Stoops will take the Notre Dame job. Doesn’t mean he’ll consider it. Doesn’t mean he’ll even listen to anyone about it. But it does mean Notre Dame and its fans are still holding out hope he’ll do all three. – Oklahoman

Bob Stoops Denies Notre Dame Rumors

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops quickly shot down rumors that he has an interview set up with Notre Dame. Several reports surfaced after the Sooners’ 27-0 Bedlam victory over Oklahoma State that Irish officials would either fly to Norman sometime Sunday to interview Stoops or fly the OU coach to South Bend, Ind. Asked in a text if he could confirm or deny the report, even if it was off the record, Stoops’ return text to me read: “On the record, I am not (interviewing). First I’ve heard of this (rumor).” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick also denied the Stoops speculation when contacted by the Chicago Tribune while he was attending the Irish’s game Saturday at Stanford. “Anything you hear about a contact with a coach is absolutely wrong,” Swarbrick told the Tribune. As of Saturday night, Notre Dame didn’t have a job opening. Speculation is that Irish coach Charlie Weis could get fired as early as Sunday, but Swarbrick said the timetable for the meeting is “undetermined.” Here’s one thing to remember: Stoops doesn’t do interviews. He believes his track record at OU speaks volumes, and should do all the talking for him to any prospective AD. – Tulsa World

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick denies Bob Stoops rumors

The rumor mill remained in full churn before Notre Dame’s regular season finale Saturday, this time spitting out speculation from CBS that Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops would be on a plane to South Bend by Sunday. This apparently was news to the man who would prompt Stoops to get on that plane. Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick emphatically knocked down that report — and any other speculation for that matter. “Anything you hear about a contact with a coach is absolutely wrong,” Swarbrick said in a brief conversation in the press box. – Chicago Breaking Sports News

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said he has not contacted any coaches about a potential vacancy if Charlie Weis is fired after the season. “We haven’t talked to anybody,” Swarbrick said before the Fighting Irish played their regular season finale at Stanford on Saturday night. He was asked about a report that Notre Dame would be meeting with candidates as soon as Sunday. “We haven’t authorized anybody to talk to anybody. It’s simply not true. Any version of it.” Weis’ job status is on shaky ground near the end of a third straight disappointing season for Notre Dame (6-5). Instead of remaining on the West Coast to recruit after the game as originally planned, Weis will fly back with the team to Indiana… Among the people considered possible candidates are Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, TCU coach Gary Patterson and Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh. – AP

Next Page »