Six years ago, Oklahoma Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione arrived in Norman, Okla., to find a football program on the downswing. A program that had produced seven national championships, 38 conference titles, 23 bowl wins, four Heisman Trophy winners and 138 All-Americans had fallen upon hard times.

Castiglione knew he needed a new coach. A new man with a new message. Attendance had dropped at a program that has one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. He hired Bob Stoops and hoped he found a man who could turn the program around.

But Castiglione never imagined the effect that Stoops would have.

‘A new leader with the right plan to motivate people does create a unique level of energy amongst the fan base,’ Castiglione said.

Not only has the Oklahoma faithful returned to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, but the success those fans had become accustomed to is back as well.

Since Stoops’ hiring in 1999, the Sooners have never won fewer than seven games, have played in a bowl game in each of his five seasons and won a national title in 2000.

Castiglione said that each program must decide for itself how to address rebuilding and re-energizing a fan base. But he said that some choose more style than substance on the field. At Oklahoma, he’s tried to mix both.

At Oklahoma, the rebuilding began with the hiring of a new coach. Castiglione said that this was the most important step, but he also felt it was important to give the head coach a chance to hire quality assistants.

Then, it’s up to the community to support the program.

‘No matter how talented, skillful or knowledgeable an individual might be, it still takes effort and support from a lot of people,’ Castiglione said. ‘No one individual can do it himself.’

Published on September 1, 2004 at 12:00 pm