Brett Deering/Getty Images The Oklahoma Sooners officially fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops on Monday morning, the team announced. "I have great respect for Mike," said head coach Lincoln Riley. "He's a quality football coach, great man and a close friend. It became time for a change in our program and that happens sometimes in football, but we cannot lose sight of the accomplishments Mike had at Oklahoma. He was responsible for a lot of success and deserves the gratitude of everyone associated with Sooner football, not only for his role in the winning, but for coaching with integrity." James Hale of Sports Talk 1400 KREF in Norman, Oklahoma, first reported Stoops' ouster and The Oklahoman's Ryan Aber later confirmed with a source Sunday. OU Daily's George Stoia reported one of Ruffin McNeill or Bob Diaco will replace Stoops as the defensive coordinator. McNeill is the assistant head coach and defensive tackles coach, while Diaco works as a defensive analyst. The move comes after the Sooners gave up 48 points and 501 yards in a loss Saturday to the Texas Longhorns. Plenty were quick to heap blame on Stoops for Oklahoma's dreadful defensive showing against Texas. Video Play Button Videos you might like Stoops discussed the performance with reporters after the game. "I'm extremely disappointed in my inability to get this team to play at a higher level," he said, per the Tulsa World's Guerin Emig. "It takes everybody pulling the same way, and certainly I take a lot of that responsibility." The defeat was a microcosm of Oklahoma's biggest issue in recent years. The Sooners are giving up 421 yards per game, which ranks 96th in FBS. Over the previous four seasons, they finished 57th, 89th, 31st and 54th in total defense. Oklahoma reached the College Football Playoff in 2015 and 2017. In two semifinal games, the Sooners surrendered 1,057 yards and 91 points, highlighting how they lacked the defense to make the leap to win a national title. Parting ways with Stoops doesn't guarantee a change of course in the 2018 campaign, but it's better than maintaining the status quo. A one-loss Oklahoma can still reach the playoff if it wins the Big 12 title. Considering the Sooners still have to play Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and West Virginia, a Stoops-led defense likely would've unraveled at least once more before the end of the year, thus eliminating the team's national championship hopes for good. McNeill, Diaco or another coach can be a good stopgap until Oklahoma has the offseason to evaluate full-time coordinator candidates.<doc-sep>Mike Stoops has been fired as Oklahoma's defensive coordinator on the heels of the Sooners' 48-45 loss on Saturday to Texas. The school announced the firing Monday. Ruffin McNeill, who had been the Sooners' assistant head coach and defensive-tackles coach, will serve as defensive coordinator for the rest of the season. "At the end of the day, I felt like we needed a new voice," coach Lincoln Riley said Monday. "We needed just a little bit of a spark. I thought that making the change was right for that reason, and also because I felt good about the guys we have in this room and a plan for the rest of this season. This team's got a lot in front of them. This team could make a run here. I think we all feel that." Stoops, the younger brother of former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and older brother of Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, had served two different stints as the Sooners' defensive coordinator. He returned to Oklahoma in 2012 after an eight-year run as Arizona head coach. Mike Stoops was also at Oklahoma from 1999 to 2003, as assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator. The 48 points by Texas on Saturday were the most ever scored against Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown. The Sooners hadn't given up more than 27 points in their first four games this season, but allowed 33 in the victory over Baylor two weeks ago and then 48 -- and 501 total yards -- in their first loss of the season to the Longhorns. Riley said the decision was his alone, and he didn't make it based on just the Texas game. "I don't know that there was any one stat or one thing or any single thing that happened," Riley said. "It's not really that dramatic. I think just for me it was a gut feeling. Coming back after that [Texas] game and just thinking through it, I slept on it, and [after] conversations with Mike and other people I respect, I just felt like it was the right thing to do." Riley's confidence in McNeill played a role in the decision to fire Stoops. Riley was McNeill's offensive coordinator at East Carolina, and he brought McNeill to Oklahoma as assistant head coach before the 2017 season. McNeill was defensive coordinator at UNLV from 1997 to 1998 and at Fresno State in 1999. He later served in that same role with Texas Tech from 2008 to 2009 before taking over as head coach at East Carolina from 2010 to 2015. "I have a ton of confidence in Ruffin," Riley said. "There's not really anything in this game that he hasn't done. He's one of those guys that, when something like this comes at us, he doesn't have to sit back and figure out how he's going to handle it. He knows how he's going to handle it the second the situation's presented." Oklahoma players reacted to the news on Twitter. "All I can say is thank you @OU-CoachMike you gave me a shot when nobody else would and for that I am forever grateful no matter what people say they never know you for the great person you really are and how much you care for your players...Thank You Coach," linebacker Kenneth Murray tweeted. The No. 11 Sooners (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) have a week off before they play at TCU, which will give them time to adjust. Riley said the players are comfortable with McNeill, which should help in the transition. "He does have a confidence about himself," Riley said. "He's got a way with the players. They'll be excited to play for him." Bob Diaco will move from defensive specialist to coach the outside linebackers. He has been defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Nebraska and was head coach at Connecticut from 2014 to 2016. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.<doc-sep>It’s Monday, friends and fans. If I seem a little unenthused, it’s because I am. Heck of a rally effort on Saturday, but OU’s flaws came back to bite in the end. In related news, and in light of the firing of Mike Stoops, Ruffin McNeill and Bob Diaco have been named interim defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach, respectively. OFFICIAL: Coach Riley announces defensive staff changes for the remainder of the season. Release: https://t.co/4X0oJLXj1D pic.twitter.com/1HRK6q9loU — Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 8, 2018 Ruffin seemed to be the obvious choice for interim DC, and these are some great points made by Bruce Feldman and Bomani Jones. McNeill’s guys have historically played hard for him, and at Texas Tech, the talent wasn’t nearly as strong ten years ago as what he’ll have to work with at Oklahoma right now, and even then, the Red Raiders had a respectable defense. and worth noting that while ou fans rightfully lament the lack of talent on the current defense, they're probably the '01 hurricanes compared to what ruff had to work with in lubbock. https://t.co/Ea6dh51Cis — El Flaco (@bomani_jones) October 8, 2018 Also, this. Personally, I don’t expect McNeill to be the magic bullet for Oklahoma’s defensive woes (short-term or long-term), but for right now, this is the best route to take. Coach Ruff will stabilize that unit and (I am told) players love him and playing for him. Not sure if he will be the long-term DC but he’s a Lincoln Riley mentor and fits with the culture he will want to build https://t.co/iBfGkvFvBU — Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) October 8, 2018 This morning, Lincoln Riley discussed the move with some media members. Riley on determining factors of dismissing Stoops: Gut feeling ... more than anything we needed a diff voice in that room. I felt like that's what this team and moment needed right now. #Sooners — Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) October 8, 2018 Lincoln Riley: My mindset was that I think we have a darn good football team right now that has a chance to make a good run. I had to best align us ... to get that done. #Sooners — Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) October 8, 2018 Lincoln Riley on Ruffin McNeill: There's not anything in this game that he hasn't done ... when something like that comes up, he doesn't have to sit back and figure out how to handle it ... #Sooners — Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) October 8, 2018 Riley: This decision was my decision. #Sooners — Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) October 8, 2018 While I’m not disputing the fourth statement, it does contradict some reports on the matter. If it truly was a decision made at a higher level, it’s obviously not something Riley would just come out and say. It’s perhaps best to take it with a grain of salt. Now let’s dive right into some Hot Links. Plenty of reactions to the news of Mike Stoops’ firing, Caleb Kelly receives his Good Works Team trophy, Juju Smith-Schuster gave birth to a baby touchdown and more! OU Links Kenneth Murray might be young in just his true sophomore season, but he’s already one of the team’s most vocal leaders. Here’s what he had to say following the news of Mike Stoops’ firing. All I can say is thank you @OU_CoachMike you gave me a shot when nobody else would and for that I am forever grateful no matter what people say they never know you for the great person you really are and how much you care for your players...Thank You Coach — Kenneth Murray (@Kmurrayy_9) October 8, 2018 Caleb Kelly has dealt with his own share of criticism, and he’s done so with class and humility. Still, he has nothing but love for Stoops, his former position coach, and he’s understandably frustrated with the noise surrounding the move. I love @OU_CoachMike he has done so much more than irrelevant people will ever see. Thank you Coach — O7 (@calebkkelly) October 8, 2018 Speaking of Kelly , he was surprised on Monday with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team trophy during an appearance at Purcell Intermediate School. News of Kelly on the Good Works Team has been known, but the presentation of this trophy came as a surprise to the hard-working and gracious linebacker. Caleb Kelly spends time every week giving back to the community. Today, the community gave back to him by surprising him with his Allstate AFCA #GoodWorksTeam trophy during an appearance at Purcell Intermediate School. https://t.co/0xlDzaKH0n pic.twitter.com/gThW9XhLVS — Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 8, 2018 True freshman DaShaun White , who has only been on campus for less than a year, still managed to establish a connection with Stoops. This move is probably toughest for the older guys, but it’s still challenging for the underclassmen. All Love @OU_CoachMike, nothing but the utmost respect- thank you for everything. — DaShaun White (@dmw23_) October 8, 2018 What remains to be seen is how exactly this firing will impact Oklahoma’s recruiting, particularly with defensive prospects. Following the news, four-star cornerback Jaden Davis and others have re-affirmed their commitments. I stand by this through it all, Boomer Sooner... https://t.co/HAtIW4w7K7 — IV (@Jayd4_) October 8, 2018 Committed Means Committed ✨ — joseph (@Josewete1) October 8, 2018 Dusty Dvoracek has been an upstanding representative for the Oklahoma Sooners as a college football commentator, and he owes much of the success in his life on and off the field to Mike Stoops, who was his DC during Stoops’ first stint with the Sooners in the early ‘00’s. I just want to say thank you to @OU_CoachMike for all that he has done for me and @OU_Football! He’s the biggest reason I came north of the Red River, and I owe him everything I have in my adult life. Passionate Coach and Great Man! “Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do!” — Dusty Dvoracek (@DustyDvoracek) October 8, 2018 Former player Du’Vonta Lampkin expressed his thoughts about why he’s grateful for Stoops and what most people outside the program don’t realize about the role he played in many of his and his teammates’ lives. FOX College Football’s Joel Klatt, who once upon a time played QB for Colorado, also showed respect to Oklahoma’s now former DC. I have a lot of respect for @OU_CoachMike as I had to compete against his early 2000's squads...My respect grew once I heard his players rave about him as a person, mentor, and coach...I wish him the very best moving forward — Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) October 8, 2018 For a whole bunch of fan reactions to the debacle of a game Mike Stoops put together for Saturday that are funny and/or triggering, check out Alex Kirshner’s ‘This Week in Schadenfreude’. Oklahoma’s Oct. 20 game at TCU will be an 11 a.m. ABC broadcast. We're up and at 'em in Week 8️⃣! #Big12FB pic.twitter.com/EZhRwWlnN1 — Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 8, 2018 Like Kyler Murray said, this isn’t over, folks. After getting quite emotional following the loss to Texas, it seems K1 has his mind right and his focus dial on high. Watch out, everyone, because he’s not finished just yet. Baker Mayfield recorded his first win in Cleveland as the Browns’ starter, and after the game he got the call from ‘Primetime’ himself, Deion Sanders. Around the Sports World There are only 11 undefeated teams remaining in the FBS, which is actually an historically low number for this point of the season. Could this be the year a two-loss team makes it into the College Football Playoff? Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Ahmmon Richards has played the final down of his football career because of a neck injury that has made it too dangerous for him to continue playing. With a weapon like kicker Graham Gano , the Carolina Panthers should strike fear into opponents the moment they cross midfield. If the Minnesota Vikings’ Linval Joseph was a 190-pound receiver, he’d probably own the NFL Combine record in the 40. Think I’m kidding? Look at him sprint at nearly twice the size. Linval Joseph has to be the fastest 330-pound man in the galaxy pic.twitter.com/6nboP0hmZm — Drew Mahowald (@DrewMahowald) October 7, 2018<doc-sep>
Oklahoma parted ways with long-time defensive coordinator Mike Stoops on Monday, announcing their dismissal of the assistant coach. News first of Stoops' departure first surfaced on Sunday night with multiple outlets reporting Stoops was either fired or resigning from his post. Oklahoma confirmed the former on Monday morning. "I have great respect for Mike," said Sooners coach Lincoln Riley in a statement. "He's a quality football coach and a close friend. It became time for a change in our program and that happens sometimes in football, but we cannot lose sight of the accomplishments Mike had at Oklahoma. He was responsible for a lot of success and deserves the gratitude of everyone associated with Sooner football, not only for his role in the winning, but for coaching with integrity." Stoops released a statement Monday afternoon thanking Oklahoma for his time as an assistant. Ruffin McNeill will take over defensive coordinator duties for the rest of the season, while Bob Diaco will move from being a defensive analyst to the outside linebackers coach. The decision to part ways with Stoops comes on the heels of Oklahoma's 48-45 loss to Texas on Saturday in the Red River Showdown, the latest in a long line of poor performances from the Sooners defense. These performances were covered up by the explosive, high-scoring Oklahoma offense led by Kyler Murray this season and Baker Mayfield last year. Following Oklahoma's loss to the Longhorns, its defense ranked 52nd nationally in yards allowed per play (5.29), but it's been the defense's inability to get off the field that has been the killer. The Sooners rank 98th in the country in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert 42.4 percent of their third-down tries. In the red zone, things have been even worse as Oklahoma's opponents have scored points on 100 percent of their red zone possessions. That includes a touchdown-allowed rate of 85.7 percent, which ranks 124th in the country, tied with the likes of Rice and UAB. But it's not just the stats, it's also the overall performance against good teams. Last season, the Sooners defense allowed 27.1 points per game, which wasn't good but it wasn't awful, either. However, against winning teams, that number spiked to 31.9. The story hasn't been any different in 2018 as the Sooners have allowed 27.3 points per game overall and 34 against winning teams. Stoops had been Oklahoma's defensive coordinator since the 2012 season. He's the brother of former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who retired before the 2017 campaign. Riley retained Mike Stoops and led the Sooners to a College Football Playoff berth last season. McNeill, Riley's long-time mentor, was his former boss at East Carolina. Oklahoma is off this week but plays at TCU on Oct. 20.