A massive Oklahoma fan, WWE legend Jim Ross discusses Bob Stoops' retirement
Posted: Jun 8th 2017 By: Brian Campbell
Moments after the longest-tenured coach in college football, Bob Stoops, announced Wednesday he was stepping down from Oklahoma after 18 seasons at the age of 56, there was no one
more supportive than WWE Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Ross.
"It's a very emotional day for everyone here in Norman," Ross said Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN Radio's "The Paul Finebaum Show."
A resident of Norman, Oklahoma, and mainstay on the sidelines during Sooner home games, Ross took to social media in the immediate aftermath of the news to wish his good friend Stoops well.
Stoops said in a statement that health "was not the deciding factor" in his decision. Ross, 65, speculated that Stoops wanting to spend more time with his two sons, Drake and
Isaac, played a large factor in the decision.
"I just think sometimes we forget that some people are just good people and they want to spend time with their family," Ross said. "He has had a great legacy, and he's going to leave as the winningest coach in this program's history.
"He has jokingly told me he would like to coach junior high basketball. He'll figure out something to do. I don't think he has to do anything to [be able to] get to the grocery
store. I think he's OK."
Ross, who signed a two-year deal in April to return to WWE,
shared a personal story about how important his friendship
with Stoops is to him.
"When my wife Jan was killed riding her Vespa home from the gym [in March], within one or two days later when things started settling down, Bob and his wife Carol were in my home just to make sure I was doing OK," Ross said. "In the height of recruiting and the height of preparing for another season and the spring game, he found time unsolicited to come to my home to make sure that I was good. That's what kind of friend that he is."
"This strikes all of us pretty hard today, but I think those of us who know Bob well were not totally surprised that he left earlier than many of us would've liked. I think he said all along that he wanted to get out with all of his health."
Ross was also in full support of offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and his potential as Stoops' successor.
"It looks like Lincoln Riley is going to be our next guy and no one is unhappy about that," Ross said. "He's just a phenomenal young coach."
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