In the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Polls for the past 25 years, where does Oklahoma stand?

The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized rankings in college football. Published weekly during the college football season, it compiles votes from a panel of active coaches across the country, reflecting their opinions on the nation’s top teams. Over the last 25 years, the University of Oklahoma has firmly established itself as one of the elite programs in the sport. Under the leadership of legendary head coaches such as Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma has maintained a high level of success, regularly appearing near the top of the Coaches Poll.

In this article, we’ll delve into Oklahoma’s position in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll over the past 25 years, analyze the program’s consistent success, identify trends, and explore the impact of the school’s performance on the poll’s ranking. By examining Oklahoma’s ranking history, we can better understand its dominance in college football and its overall standing as one of the sport’s most successful and recognizable programs.

1. Oklahoma’s Dominance in the Coaches Poll

Since the 1990s, Oklahoma football has experienced remarkable highs, including multiple conference championships, playoff appearances, and national titles. These successes have consistently earned the program top spots in the Coaches Poll, even during years where they didn’t win the ultimate prize. The program’s ability to perform at a high level year after year is reflected in its rankings, with the team frequently appearing in the top 10 and at times holding the top spot in the country.

Bob Stoops, who served as head coach from 1999 to 2017, is widely regarded as the architect of Oklahoma’s sustained success. Under Stoops, the Sooners won the 2000 BCS National Championship, earned multiple Big 12 titles, and were regularly ranked among the top teams in the country. Stoops’ tenure solidified Oklahoma’s place as one of the premier football programs, and it’s reflected in their positioning in the Coaches Poll.

2. Oklahoma’s Ranking in the Coaches Poll by Decade

To properly analyze Oklahoma’s standing over the past 25 years, it is useful to break down the program’s performance by decade, examining the highs and lows in terms of rankings in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

The 1990s: Laying the Foundation

Though Oklahoma did not enjoy the same level of consistent success in the early 1990s as it would later in the decade, the foundation for the Sooners’ future dominance was being built. Under head coaches Gary Gibbs and Howard Schnellenberger, the program experienced some turbulent seasons, including a decline in the early years of the decade.

However, Oklahoma began to rise once again as the decade progressed. Under head coach John Blake (1996-1998), the team struggled, but they were beginning to recruit talent that would later thrive in the next decade.

Despite the struggles of the early part of the 1990s, Oklahoma’s rankings in the Coaches Poll began to rise in the late ‘90s, culminating in a highly successful 1999 season under Bob Stoops. Stoops led the Sooners to a Big 12 Championship and a BCS National Championship Game appearance, where they defeated Florida State 13-2. This victory marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s sustained success in the 21st century.

The 2000s: Oklahoma’s Emergence as a National Power

The 2000s were Oklahoma’s most successful decade in terms of Coaches Poll rankings. Stoops’ arrival in 1999 transformed the program, and by the early 2000s, the Sooners were regular fixtures at or near the top of the Coaches Poll. The team reached the BCS National Championship Game again in 2003, but lost to LSU. However, their remarkable 2000 BCS Championship victory and their ability to remain in the top 5 throughout the decade were significant.

In the 2000s, Oklahoma finished the season ranked in the top 5 in the Coaches Poll in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009. They also captured 7 Big 12 championships during this period and were often competing for the top spot in the national rankings.

• 2000: Finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Coaches Poll, winning the BCS National Championship.
• 2003: Ranked No. 2 after an undefeated regular season.
• 2004: Ranked No. 5, reaching the BCS National Championship Game but losing to USC.
• 2008: Finished No. 2 in the Coaches Poll, narrowly missing out on a national title after a loss in the BCS Championship Game.
• 2009: Finished No. 3, just behind Florida and Texas.

The 2010s: Continued Success but Missed Opportunities

While the 2010s saw Oklahoma maintain its place among the elite programs in college football, the Sooners experienced more ups and downs, with occasional setbacks and missed opportunities for national titles. Under Stoops’ leadership, Oklahoma remained a top 10 team but faced stiff competition in the form of programs like Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson, which would dominate the decade.

Despite these challenges, Oklahoma earned multiple Big 12 titles, and Stoops led the Sooners to several New Year’s Six bowl appearances. They also had several standout individual performances from players like Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray, each of whom earned Heisman Trophy honors.

The program’s performance in the Coaches Poll reflected this consistency:

• 2011: Ranked No. 3 at season’s end after an impressive regular season.
• 2015: Finished No. 4 after a Big 12 Championship and a strong playoff push.
• 2017: Ranked No. 2 following a Big 12 Championship and a Heisman-winning season by Baker Mayfield.
• 2018: Finished No. 4 again, after another impressive season led by Kyler Murray, who won the Heisman.

Throughout the 2010s, Oklahoma was frequently ranked in the top 10 and continued to dominate the Big 12, but they struggled to win the College Football Playoff (CFP) or BCS Championship, as they were often upended in the playoffs or bowl games by other elite teams.

The 2020s: New Era under Lincoln Riley and Brent Venables

The early part of the 2020s saw significant changes at the helm of Oklahoma football. Lincoln Riley took over as head coach in 2017 after Stoops’ retirement, bringing a new offensive system that propelled the Sooners to even greater success offensively. However, under Riley, Oklahoma’s performance in the Coaches Poll didn’t always translate into postseason success, particularly in the CFP.

Riley’s tenure was marked by strong regular-season performances, but the team faltered in playoff games, often due to defensive shortcomings. Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray led Oklahoma to a playoff appearance in 2017 and 2018, but the Sooners were eliminated early each time.

In 2021, the program saw another shift when Brent Venables took over as head coach after Riley’s departure for USC. Venables, a defensive-minded coach who had previously been a coordinator at Clemson, sought to re-establish Oklahoma’s defensive prowess, a long-standing issue under Riley’s offense-heavy approach.

While Venables’ first season in 2022 showed promise with a new defensive strategy and an influx of talented recruits, the program faced growing pains. The Sooners finished unranked in the 2022 Coaches Poll, a stark departure from their usual placement in the top 10.

Despite a few setbacks, Oklahoma remains poised for future success. Its recruiting classes continue to rank among the best in the nation, and its historic legacy as a college football power cannot be understated.

3. Key Players and Factors in Oklahoma’s Ranking History

Several key factors have contributed to Oklahoma’s consistent high ranking in the Coaches Poll over the past 25 years. Key players, including Heisman Trophy winners like Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray, have propelled the team into the national spotlight year after year. These quarterbacks, along with standout players like Adrian Peterson and CeeDee Lamb, have played pivotal roles in the program’s success.

Additionally, Oklahoma’s dominance in the Big 12 Conference has also contributed to their rankings. The Sooners have won 14 Big 12 championships in the last 25 years, including 9 championships under Stoops, and have frequently represented the conference in major bowl games.

Despite recent coaching changes, Oklahoma’s consistent recruiting efforts and established tradition of excellence keep the program among the top teams in the Coaches Poll.

 Oklahoma’s Legacy in the Coaches Poll

Over the last 25 years, Oklahoma football has firmly established itself as one of the top programs in college football, with the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll reflecting the program’s success and impact. The team’s ability to finish consistently in the top 10, capture multiple Big 12 championships, and produce numerous Heisman-winning players speaks to the strength and legacy of Oklahoma football.

While recent coaching changes and adjustments have brought about a transitional period for the program, Oklahoma

’s storied history and commitment to excellence suggest that the team will continue to be a force in college football for years to come. Whether under Stoops, Riley, or Venables, Oklahoma’s place in the Coaches Poll will likely remain a testament to its rich tradition and ongoing pursuit of national championships.