Oklahoma's Bob Stoops: 'Obviously, I'm Not a Candidate' for Denver Broncos Job

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops says he was surprised when reporters started asking whether he could be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos, and he says he knows absolutely nothing about the Denver vacancy:

"That's a rumor I haven't heard, and no one's contacted me about that so I don't know anything about it," Stoops said. "We're preparing for a national championship and that's all my focus.

"Obviously I'm not a candidate. I'm sure someone might have told me that other than you guys if I was."

Actually, that's not necessarily true. It's possible that Stoops is the preferred candidate of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, but that Bowlen wants to wait until after Oklahoma plays Florida in the BCS title game before approaching him.

And Stoops didn't exactly rule out leaving Oklahoma for the NFL, either. He also said this:

"At some point in my life or career that may be the case. Everyone wants you to tell them what you're going to do 10 years from now. Who knows? I don't know."

I think Stoops will be back at Oklahoma in 2009, and not on the sidelines in Denver. But in the coaching business, even the most emphatic denials need to be met with skepticism. And as denials go, this one isn't really all that emphatic.