FOOTBALL Stoops family homecoming includes time for football camp

The lineup has ties to the past three collegiate champions.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bob Stoops walked on the practice field at Cardinal Mooney High School wearing an Oklahoma visor, a Mooney jacket and a big smile.
"It's always nice to come home," the Sooners head football coach said Monday. "I wish I had more opportunities to get back here."
Stoops, who led the Sooners to a national title in 2000, headlined the annual Mooney Camp of Champions, which featured some of the biggest names in football.
"Cardinal Mooney is a special place," said his brother, Mark Stoops, the defensive backs coach at Miami. "This place did a lot for us and this gives us an opportunity to give back."
Coming home
And it gives them an opportunity to come back.
Bob and Mark were joined by their brother, Mike Stoops, the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma; Ron Stoops, an assistant coach at Mooney; and their uncle, Bob Stoops, a former YSU assistant.
They're all part of the area's most impressive coaching family, which started with the late Ron Stoops, a longtime Cardinals assistant under Don Bucci.
"My father dedicated his life to this school," Mark said.
The Stoops brothers vacation together in North Carolina during the summer, but this camp is one of the few times they all get to come back to Youngstown.
"We don't get a chance to see each other that often," Mark said. "We can't schedule holidays. It's a real bad season if we're together at Christmas."
Coaching success
There haven't been many bad seasons lately. Bob and Mike led the Sooners to a national title in 2000, then Mark helped the Hurricanes win the title in 2001.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio -- who was also at the camp -- helped the Buckeyes beat Miami for the title in January.
"We were at the fundraiser [Sunday] and you look around and the last three national champions were represented," said Bob. "And all those teams had Youngstown connections."
And according to most preseason publications, that trend will continue. Most experts have tabbed Ohio State and Oklahoma as the teams to beat in 2003.
"My brother Mark would probably argue with that," Bob Stoops said with a laugh.
Other camp staff members included YSU coach Jon Heacock, former NFL players Michael Zordich and Terry Taylor, former Miami quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Gino Toretta, Nebraska defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, Mooney coach P.J. Fecko and Bucci.
scalzo@vindy.com