When the XFL announced its return to eight major markets for 2020, most football fans probably laughed and didn't think anything else of it. Well, that all changed Thursday afternoon when one of the biggest names in college football history decided to join the league.
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Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has officially been named the first head coach and general manager of the new XFL franchise in Dallas, exactly 20 months to the day since he retired from college football in Norman.
That's right, that Bob Stoops, the all-time wins leader for the Sooners in Norman, will coach again... in the XFL. Get used to it.
Allow Bob Stoops to re-introduce himself. @XFLDallas has a head coach and general manager.#XFL2020 pic.twitter.com/5OVwgAFXGh
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 7, 2019
Although the XFL — the brainchild of WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon — will not relaunch until February 2020, the football league, which will be ran by commissioner Oliver Luck, has secured a major piece to the future with the 58-year-old Stoops as its first official hire.
"At first I thought it probably wouldn't be for me. But through our discussions as a family, started to think this would fit us correctly. I was also excited about starting something from the ground floor. To hiring coaches, and then you gotta accumulate your players, get your organization set up, it reminds me of when I first arrived at Oklahoma. I thought one of the best things I ever did in my career was getting my first staff together at OU... That's exciting to me. The opportunity to put it together and help it grow."
— XFL Dallas head coach Bob Stoops, via ESPN
In many ways, coaching the Dallas XFL franchise is the perfect situation for Stoops, who compiled a 190-48 record with the Sooners in 18 years, including 10 Big 12 titles and a national championship in 2000. It also won't take a ton away from his family.
Starting in 2020, the XFL will have a 10-week regular season and two-week postseason while featuring a 45-man roster.
XFL commissioner Oliver Luck announces the hiring of the head coach and general manager of the @XFLDallas team. https://t.co/CGf2aQLaiD
— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 7, 2019
So for everyone thinking Stoops was a top candidate to be a football coach at the college or even NFL level, guess again. He will now run the XFL team which will play its home games at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Only time will who the new XFL teams in Houston (TDECU Stadium), Los Angeles (StubHub Center), New York (MetLife Stadium), Seattle (CenturyLink Field), St. Louis (The Dome at America's Center), Tampa Bay (Raymond James Stadium) and Washington, D.C. (Audi Field) will hire to run their franchise, but there's no doubt the rebooted league score a major touchdown with Stoops hopping on board with the Dallas franchise.
