Legendary Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops joins elite Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, honoring rare dual legacy as player and victorious head coach
On December 30, 2025, former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops was formally inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame during a ceremony at The Langham Huntington hotel in Pasadena, California.
He joined former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball as the Class of 2025 inductees, marking another milestone in Stoops' illustrious career that spans both playing and coaching in college football's most iconic bowl game.
Stoops' connection to the Rose Bowl is uniquely personal and professional.
As a player, he was a standout defensive back for the Iowa Hawkeyes under legendary coach Hayden Fry.
A four-year starter at safety, Stoops earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1982, served as team captain, and was named Iowa's MVP that season.
The Hawkeyes made their Rose Bowl appearance that year, facing Washington in a matchup that ended in a 28-0 defeat for Iowa.
Though the outcome was not what Stoops and his teammates hoped for, his performance on that grand stage foreshadowed the leadership and resilience that would define his future.
Two decades later, Stoops returned to the Rose Bowl as a head coach, this time on the winning side. In the 2003 Rose Bowl—played on January 1, 2003, following the 2002 season—he led the Oklahoma Sooners to a convincing 34-14 victory over Washington State.
It marked Oklahoma's first-ever appearance in the "Granddaddy of Them All."
Under the Bowl Championship Series rules at the time, the Sooners were selected as a replacement after Big Ten champion Ohio State, ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings, advanced to the national championship game against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
The game showcased Stoops' coaching prowess.
Quarterback Nate Hybl threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with receivers Antwone Savage and Curtis Fagan.
Running back Quentin Griffin rushed for 144 yards and a score, while Antonio Perkins added a punt return touchdown.
The dominant performance capped a 12-2 season for Oklahoma and solidified Stoops' reputation as one of college football's elite strategists.
Stoops' induction is particularly noteworthy because he is one of only 11 individuals in history to have both played in and coached a team in the Rose Bowl.
This rare dual distinction underscores his deep ties to the game and its traditions.His broader legacy at Oklahoma is equally impressive.
From 1999 to 2016, Stoops compiled a remarkable 190-48 record, making him the winningest coach in program history.
He guided the Sooners to the 2000 national championship, defeating Florida State in the Orange Bowl, and became the only coach in college football history to win a national title along with all four major BCS bowl games (Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, and Orange).
Under his leadership, Oklahoma captured 10 Big 12 championships, made 18 consecutive bowl appearances, and earned numerous accolades for Stoops himself, including two national coach of the year awards and six Big 12 coach of the year honors.
Stoops unexpectedly retired in 2017 at age 56, stepping away on his own terms after revitalizing the Sooners program.
He briefly returned as interim coach for the 2021 Alamo Bowl, leading Oklahoma to victory.
His enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021 preceded this Rose Bowl honor, further cementing his place among the sport's greats.
The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, established in 1989, now boasts 148 members following the addition of Stoops and Ball.
Inductees are permanently recognized with plaques in the stadium's Court of Champions.
Stoops and Ball will also be celebrated during the 137th Rose Parade and on the field at the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal on January 1, 2026.
This induction is a well-deserved recognition of Stoops' contributions to the Rose Bowl's storied history—from his gritty play on the field as a Hawkeye to his triumphant coaching debut as a Sooner.
It celebrates a career defined by excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the game.