The King of the Big 12 Stepped Down; How That Could Affect OSU and the League

What a day. Bob Stoops has decided to step down as head coach at Oklahoma. The news will have far-reaching effects both in-state and across the Big 12.

During his 18 years at OU, Stoops won 10 conference titles, a national championship and owns a win percentage of .798. But most significant to our readership, he holds a 14-4 Bedlam record and a 9-2 record against Mike Gundy.

Much has been made about a proposed mental block when it comes to Mike Gundy and Bedlam. There’s definitely some hyperbole in there but the record speaks for itself and it’s sometimes impossible to ignore. Is that a Stoops thing or an OU thing? Is it actually exclusive to Bedlam or just games his team is a consensus underdog in?

All I know is that November 4 just got that much more interesting.

Wait did Oklahoma State just become the de facto Big 12 favorite?

— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) June 7, 2017

But it’s not just Gundy who’s had trouble getting over the Stoops hurdle. During his time in Norman, the Sooners went a dominant 121-29 against Big 12 competition. While nothing is a given, there may be lighter moods in offices in Morgantown, Stillwater, Ft. Worth and Austin this afternoon. No celebrations from coaches, mind you. But maybe a shielded glint of optimism.

How will Stoops’ departure and the taking of the reins by Lincoln Riley affect the Sooners in the short term? Probably not a lot. Signing day is long gone and fall camp is still weeks away. The Sooners can start a new season cycle with Riley at the helm and possibly without a hiccup.

This doesn’t feel like a situation that will bring on a mass exodus of recruits. Down the road? That depends on the initial success of Lincoln Riley. If OU wins 10 games and either wins or plays in the new Big 12 championship game, there’s a chance things could continue on without a hitch.

If the Sooners stumble in Bedlam or against Texas in Tom Herman’s first year, how will fans react? How will that affect recruiting? Stoops had built up quite a bit of store credit in the Big 12 and in the Sooner state. Will Riley be afforded that luxury? Probably not.

Regardless, there is reason to be optimistic if you’re an OU fan.

“I am thrilled that Lincoln Riley is in position to take over as the head coach,” said OU athletic director Joe Castiglione. “He is widely regarded as one of the brightest minds in college football and there is no question in my mind that he is the complete package. Our program is in very good hands. Lincoln and I have a great relationship and I can’t wait to embark on this new era with him.”

It always felt like the 33-year old offensive coordinator was being groomed for his own crimson  and cream visor. It just wasn’t expected to be this soon, even though he got a monster offseason raise to $1.3 million. There’s no doubt that Riley knows football and that he can recruit. He seems to have a great rapport with players and staff so there’s no reason to think things can’t continue as normal.

Oklahoma is 15/1 to win the national championship. Sooners' season win total sits at 10.

— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) June 7, 2017

Talked to three sportsbooks about Stoops' retirement impacting Sooners' futures and Week 1 odds. Short answer from all 3: No change.

— Jason Logan (@CoversJLo) June 7, 2017

But if they don’t, if Riley struggles in 2017 and beyond with Tom Herman’s entrance in Austin and Mike Gundy continuing to do Mike Gundy things in Stillwater, we could be seeing the beginning of a power shift in the Big 12.