Over his college career he intercepted 10 passes for 80 yards.
Undrafted in 1983, he went into coaching.
Worked his way up as a graduate assistant (Iowa) all the way to defensive coordinator (Florida 1996-’98).
Took the reins as head coach at Oklahoma at 1999, and restored to the school as a national powerhouse.
Won the National Championship in 2000.
In all 17 seasons at the helm of Oklahoma, Bob took the Sooners to a bowl game.
He finished with a 191-48 college coaching record.
Retired from college coaching in 2017.
Opted to return to football for the XFL in 2020 as one of their flagship coaches leading the Dallas Renegades.
Returned in 2023, after the league reorganized due to COVID, coaching the now Arlington Renegades.
After a difficult start, Bob pulled off a trade for Luis Perez, and led the 4-6 Renegades to upsets over the Roughnecks and Defenders to win the XFL Championship Game.
Returned to the Renegades for the ’24 season, and while the team was competitive in every game, they ultimately finished with a disappointing 3-7 record.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
AP Coach of the Year 2000
Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Award 2000
Walter Camp Coach of the Year 2000, ’03
NOTES:
Stoops is technically a member of the Hayden Fry coaching tree. Stoops himself has a growing resume of young and upcoming coaches who served under him.
I think what sticks out to me the most, other than Bob’s excellent and well practiced autograph adorning this card, was his response to my request.
Recently I’ve been sending out note cards, to ask coaches to draw me up a play. I love collecting plays and getting an idea of their ‘coaching DNA’- y’know what’s on their mind.
I asked Bob to draw me up a play, and his response was simple and succinctly written on the note card:
CARD: Topps XFL 2020 ACQUIRED: IP, XFL 2023 Championship Game
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Willie Beavers was a 4th round pick out of Western Michigan by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
Beavers has kept the dream alive and his agent busy since then, seeing tours with the Vikings, Patriots and Seahawks in 2016-’17.
After concluding his time with the Seahawks in 2018, spent a bit of time with the Bears as well that year.
After a short stint with the 9ers in 2019, played for the XFL Dallas Renegades in 2020.
Great film allowed him to return to the NFL, where Willie got practice squad for the Falcons later that year and into 2021.
Signed with the Commanders in ’22, but was injured and released.
Returned to the XFL to play with the Arlington Renegades in 2023, starting 5 contests.
NOTES:
The Renegades had just pulled off a huge upset in the XFL Championship game over the Defenders, and after the celebration at midfield, Dallas players were rightfully a combination of delirious, elated, and exhausted. Willie was slowly milling off the field, and as the throng of people around me called him over, he didn’t budge until I called him by name. He slowly ambled over took selfies and signed a card for me. I told him how much I appreciate every one of them and to keep living the dream!
Cameron played sparingly for the Panthers through the 2019 campaign.
He’d be selected by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL 2020.
Artis-Payne worked his way into the starter role rushing for 241 yards (41 carries), 2 TDs, as well as 23 receptions for 101 yards before the league folded.
In 2021, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes.
Rushed for 225 yards on 45 carries and a TD in 5 contests.
NOTES:
When Cameron was selected by the Renegades, I knew they were getting a great change of pace back. I was equally surprised that he was available to the XFL based on his previous light NFL experience.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
