Bob Stoops returns to the practice field as coach of XFL’s Dallas Renegades
Bob Stoops ran his first football practice in three years Thursday morning.
Stoops, the longtime Oklahoma Sooners coach who walked away following the 2016 season, sounded recharged and rejuvenated as the XFL’s Dallas Renegades started minicamp at Arlington High School.
“I’m excited about it,” said Stoops, who is the Renegades’ head coach and general manger.
“I’ve got a bunch of good-looking players, looking forward to working with them. I told someone yesterday that it’s like I’ve got all fifth-year seniors. All these guys know how to play and a bunch of good athletes, so it’s going to be exciting and fun.”
The early practices are essentially glorified walk-throughs for Stoops and his staff. The focus is mainly on conditioning and installing the offensive and defensive systems.
Pads won’t come on until next month, when the team goes through training camp Jan. 4-22 in Houston.
But Thursday got the juices flowing for Stoops and the players.
“I’m excited to practice again and to be out on the field with these players,” Stoops said. “Working football, so we’ll see where it goes. I am excited about it.”
Stoops touched on other topics throughout the football world, such as being linked to college football openings such as Florida State and Washington’s Chris Petersen suddenly stepping down this week.
Stoops brushed off the rumors about returning to the college game, saying of the speculation: “That’s happened to me since 2000. I don’t really care about it. Don’t spend much time worrying about it. People say a lot of things that aren’t true, so I’m used to that.”
As far as Petersen, Stoops refused to compare it to his decision. Each walked away from the sport in their 50s and their respective programs competing at a high level.
“At the end of the day, it was right for me when I stepped away,” Stoops said. “I’m sure it’s right for Chris at this point in his life right now. I wish him the best. He’s a great coach and everybody’s circumstances and life situations are different, so to each his own.”
For now, Stoops is all-in on the XFL and competing with the Renegades. He’s excited about the coaching staff and roster that’s been put in place.
Chris Woods, one of his former assistants at OU, is the team’s defensive coordinator.
And Hal Mumme, the “godfather of the Air Raid offense,” is the offensive coordinator. Stoops has worked with plenty of Mumme’s disciples, starting with when he hired Mike Leach as OU’s offensive coordinator in 1999.
“I’m excited to work with Hal,” Stoops said. “He knows [the offense] inside and out. He’s always had success moving the football and putting up points. Hopefully he’ll be able to do that with us.”
The roster features plenty of recognizable names, such as former OU and NFL quarterback Landry Jones, former Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar and former Texas quarterback-turned-receiver Jerrod Heard.
“These guys are all guys who have an itch to continue to play,” Stoops said. “They love their football, and there’s a lot of great players here. You can tell they’re all anxious to play and want to continue to prove themselves on the field.”
The Renegades have 68 players on their roster for now, but that number will be trimmed to 52 by the season opener.
The Renegades will face the St. Louis BattleHawks in their first game Feb. 9 at the reconfigured Globe Life Park in Arlington. Season tickets are available, starting at $100 for five games.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 5:07 PM.
