Mike Stoops Officially Joins Oklahoma Coaching Staff

As first reported in December, News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins has confirmed that Mike Stoops has been hired as an assistant coach on the Oklahoma football staff.

Mike Stoops returns to the Sooners as a secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator, also responsible for calling plays for the defense.

Stoops was OU's co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach from 1999-2003 before he left to serve as the head coach at Arizona.

Although Mike Stoops has confirmed his return, the university has yet to announce his hiring. The University of Oklahoma is expected to issue a statement this afternoon.

As the head coach of the Wildcats, Stoops help rebuild the team to a bowl worthy squad within four seasons. Arizona made three consecutive bowl appearances from 2008-2010. Never the less, last season was a struggle for Stoops and the team. The Wildcats lost five of their first six games and their first four conference games of the 2011 season, and Mike Stoops was fired midway though the year on Oct. 10, 2011.

Related Story: Mike Stoops Fired By Arizona

Since being let go at Arizona, Stoops was offered the defensive coordinator position at Ohio State, and has had multiple head coaching job offers, but specifics on which schools offered Stoops that job were not disclosed.

Related Story: Source-Mike Stoops Offered Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Position

Stoops will coach under his brother, head coach Bob Stoops, and with current defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Mike Stoops, brings not only his years of experience to the Sooners, but an intensity and fire for the game that paired with Venables could be a great new boost for OU.

News9 will update as more details become available.