Spring Football Roundup: Bob Stoops Is Against Paying Players

Dec 1, 2012; Ft. Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops walks down the tunnel prior to the game against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Amon G Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma Sooners

Sporting News reporter Matt Hayes penned a fascinating feature from the perspective of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops. Stoops was willing to dive headlong into a subject of growing controversy in the college sports landscape: pay-for-play. And Bob Stoops is against paying players — vehemently.

The complete feature is well worth your time, but this line in particular raised hackles:

"“I tell my guys all the time,” Stoops says, “you’re not the first one to spend a hungry Sunday without any money.”"

SB Nation’s Jason Kirk called Stoops’ rationale “the worst argument against paying” players. Yahoo! Sports Dr. Saturday blogger Frank Schwab pointed out Stoops earns $12,465.75 daily for coaching said “guys.”

There are other condemnations of Stoops’ sentiment to be found, and surely more to come. This is a debate with passionate opinions on both sides. Resolution seems unlikely any time soon.

Maryland Terrapins
Nov 19, 2011; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback C.J. Brown (16) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB
The Baltimore Sun reports Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown received a medical hardship waiver, thereby extending his eligibility.

Brown suffered a torn ACL just two weeks before the start of Maryland’s 2012 season, continuing a run of misfortune for Terrapin snap-takers. The program lost former Freshman All-American Danny O’Brien to transfer that winter. Following Brown’s injury, both Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe tore their ACLs. Linebacker Shawn Petty filled in as Maryland’s surprising start evaporated into a 4-8 finish.

Brown replaced a struggling O’Brien in the 2011 season. Brown was better suited than the Pro Set-ready O’Brien to run then-offensive coordinator Gary Crowton’s spread offense. And yet, Brown completed just 49.4 percent of his pass attempts for 842 yards. He did rush for 574 yards at an over-seven-yard-per-clip rate with five touchdowns, though.

Oregon State Beavers

Pac-12 coaches stirred controversy last season when several closed practices to media. Mike Riley was not among that group, but his Oregon State Beavers were no worse as a result. OSU finished a surprising nine-win campaign, and returns a healthy contingent to make a conference championship run in 2013.

With a league title and the program’s first Rose Bowl appearance in nearly five decades in reach, Riley is not reevaluating his practice policy. In fact, OSUBeavers.com is taking fans deep inside the team’s spring workouts. Among its features is Mic’d Up with 1100-yard receiver Brandin Cooks.