Former Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops has a new gig -- as the head coach and general manager of the unnamed Dallas XFL team.
Stoops, 58, was introduced Thursday in Arlington by Oliver Luck, XFL Commissioner and CEO, and Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams.
"When I was introduced on the steps at (Oklahoma), I was a lot more nervous then than I am today," Stoops said. "As we looked at it, my wife and I thought this could be exciting and a good adventure."
An adventure that is a major change from his retirement announcement at Oklahoma in June 2017. Just 20 months later, he feels the time and the opportunity the XFL can provide in North Texas are both right.
"If I didn't want to coach, I wouldn't be here," Stoops said. "If this wasn't the place I wanted to be, I wouldn't be here. When I stepped out two years ago, I wanted my own time. I'll be darned, I got too much of it now."
Stoops' XFL arrival is right on time for a league desperate to prove its legitimacy, trying to distance itself from the gimmicky product it provided during it's one and only season in 2001.
"I don't do gimmicks and Bob doesn't do gimmicks," said Luck. "All these folks we have on board don't do gimmicks. The Texas Rangers would not have us in this beautiful building if they thought we were a gimmicky league."
The local team will play their games in the soon-to-be-retrofit Globe Life Park. The current occupants, the Texas Rangers, will move to their new stadium across the street after this season.
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Less about gimmicks and more about football, hoping North Texas sports fans will embrace the game – and Big Game Bob – when the league kicks off in April 2020 with eight teams. The other seven are in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Washington D.C.
If you're looking for the opportunity to work with the XFL (or Stoops), the team is still hiring in Dallas for team president, marketing director, communications and media relations. Other local positions with the team have not yet been announced.
