Just a day after arguably Oklahoma's worst defensive performance of the season against Texas, Mike Stoops was fired as OU's defensive coordinator Sunday evening, per KREF Radio host James Hale.Β
The Oklahoman's Ryan Aber confirmed Stoops' firing. On Monday, the Sooners said Ruffin McNeill, the assistant head coach and defensive tackles coach, will be the defensive coordinator for the rest of the season.
Source confirmed to The Oklahoman: Mike Stoops out as #Sooners DC (first reported by @jhale24)
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) October 8, 2018
The former Arizona Wildcats head coach was dismissed after being on Oklahoma's staff since 2012. Along with his defensive coordinator role, Stoops also served as the associate head coach and outside linebackers as well.
Mike Stoops
McNeill was Texas Tech's defensive coordinator from 2008-09. The team's other defensive coordinator Bob Diaco was Nebraska's in 2017.Β Β
Stoops' brother, Bob, retired as Oklahoma's head coach prior to last season and was replaced by Lincoln Riley. After five games into the 2018 season, Oklahoma's defense is ranked 89th in the FBS in total defense and has given up an average of 405.2 yards per game.Β
In a 48-45 loss to Texas on Saturday, Oklahoma gave up 501 yards of total offense despite a 532-yard performance from the Sooner offense.Β
The 56-year-old Stoops was in his second stint with Oklahoma after he was fired as Arizona's head coach in 2011. Prior to Arizona, Stoops was Oklahoma's associate head coach and defensive backs coach from 1999-2003.
At Arizona, Stoops led the Wildcats to three game bowl game appearances in eight seasons at the helm, including a Las Vegas Bowl win over BYU in 2008, which was UA's first bowl win in 10 years.
