MOONEY Plenty of changes for camp coaches

Some of Mooney's collegiate coaching fraternity have switched teams.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cardinal Mooney's "Camp of Champions" could easily have been named the "Camp of Changes" this summer.
Although the physical presence of the primary instructors at the third football camp didn't change -- except for the absence of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops -- the schools of those coaches differ drastically since last summer's event at Cardinal Mooney High School.
First, there's Mike Stoops. Formerly defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Oklahoma, he's now the University of Arizona's head coach. Mike took over for John Mackovic in December.
Then there's Mark Stoops, Mike's younger brother. Since last season, Mark switched from the University of Miami's secondary coach to Arizona's defensive coordinator.
A year ago, Mark "Bo" Pelini was defensive coordinator at the University of Nebraska before becoming its interim head coach. Now, he's co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma.
Bob Stoops was scheduled, but unable to attend due to a change in his schedule after a trip to North Carolina, said camp coordinator P.J. Fecko.
Participation increases
Participation in the camp has increased slightly each year, Fecko said. About 250 campers entering grades 4-9 showed for the two-day event.
Represented were campers from the Chicago area and states such as North Carolina and Texas; they are children of alumni who plan their trip around the summer camp and accompanying fundraisers.
Mark Stoops was waiting to make his move in the college coaching ranks, especially if it involved Bob or Mike.
"I enjoyed my time at Miami, but this opportunity is what I was waiting for," he said. "I felt this was the right time and I decided to work with Mike at Arizona. It's not much different than when Mike went with Bob to help build the Oklahoma program. Now I'm going to try to do the same thing for Mike."
The transition shouldn't be totally strange for the soon-to-be 37-year-old Mark Stoops since he already had a one-year stint as defensive coordinator.
"Because of Mike's experience, I'll be able to bounce ideas off of him. It'll be a good situation for me," he said.
Mark Stoops rebuilding
Leaving behind a perennial contender in Miami, the most obvious challenge for Mark Stoops will be dealing with a rebuilding phase.
"We have a task ahead, but it should help that we had good recruiting," he said. "It may take a couple years, but we think the future is bright at Arizona."
Another Youngstown native jumping to join the Wildcats' program is former Ursuline High player Eric Wolford. He'll be Arizona's offensive line coach.
Pelini, 36, represents Oklahoma's lone staff change. He assumes the same defensive position held by Mike Stoops.
Pelini had an emotional roller-coaster ride at Nebraska where he was elevated before Bob Callahan was hired as head coach.
Despite one crazy season at Nebraska, there was a lot of satisfaction in rebuilding what had been a .500 team.
"I'm proud what we were able to get done last year," he said of a 10-3 record that included losses to Texas, Missouri and Kansas State. "At Oklahoma, we have a program in position to reload and compete for the national title again. It's one of the few programs in the country that is in that point right now. We're looking forward to it."
Will meet Nov. 13
The Sooners and Cornhuskers didn't meet last year, but Pelini has Nov. 13, 2004 marked on his calendar.
"I'm looking forward to that day," he said.
Because of his nine-year NFL background with equal amounts of time in San Francisco, New England and Green Bay, he differs from the rest of the Sooners staff.
His upbringing is under Pete Carroll, Ray Rhodes and George Seifert.
"Those men had the biggest influence on me as a coach," he said. "That's where most of my philosophies and schemes come from."
Pelini's new home is in Norman, Okla., about 450 miles south of last year's base in Lincoln, Neb.