No Excuses

The Making of a Head Coach

By: Bob Stoops, Gene Wojciechowski

Narrated by: Bob Stoops

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From the legendary Oklahoma coach, a deeply reflective and incredibly candid memoir that explores the overwhelming pressures and extraordinary joys of leading one of our most storied football institutions

As a son of a high school football coach in Youngstown, Ohio, Bob Stoops's life was shaped by the gridiron from day one. At home, his father, who literally gave his life to the sport after dying on the sidelines during a game, would shut off the kitchen lights and watch film projected on to the family's refrigerator over home-cooked meals. But despite the preparation, Stoops, an undersized and under-recruited player, didn't have much hope for football stardom. That all changed however after a lucky break and a lot of hard work. He fought his way on to the starting line up at the University of Iowa where he would go on to win a Rose Bowl as a ferocious defensive back.

In Stoops's journey from player to struggling graduate assistant to legendary head coach, it becomes clear that his dedication to football is about far more than the sport itself. Big Game Bob, as he is known by adorning Sooners, made a name for himself not only by rebuilding the OU football program and leading the team to multiple conference championships but also by adhering to a strong set of principles at a time when corruption was rampant across the NCAA.

From his first win as an assistant at Kansas State, breaking a 31 game losing streak, to standing with his players in protest of a racist incident on OU's campus, Stoops emerges as an upstanding, dedicated, and inspirational leader. His tireless though unsustainable work ethic - which was always clear to his players, colleagues, and family - became evident to the legion of Sooner fans when Stoops decided to step down as head coach, seemingly at his prime, in 2017 in order to leave the team in the best position for success. Now a household name in Big 12 country, Stoops's story promises to become one of the most engaging and eye-opening football memoirs to emerge in generations.

©2019 Bob Stoops (P)2019 Hachette Audio

What a Story!

I have always liked the way Bob Stoops handled himself and the Sooners! This story was compelling and in places brought tears to my eyes. I am and always will be a Sooner fan. This story is a good road map to show young coaches how it should be. Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley have brought the Sooners and kept them in an elite group of college coaches. But these three did it with HEART! BOOMER!!!!

A#1

If you wanna get Bob Stoopdified, buy it. If not, who'd even care about it.

I enjoyed it!

This was a really interesting listen for me. I grew up in Bob's home town a few years before him and my grandparents lived a couple of blocks from his chiildhood home. His references to Youngstown''s schools. landmarks, personalities, and coaches were readily identifiable. I also had two children attend OU while he was there, so I was very familiar with many of the geographical references and timeframes throughout the story. (I've only driven through Iowa, so I had no personal connection there!)

Even if you are not from Northeast Ohio or have never been to Norman Oklahoma, the story is a good one. Bob's a hard worker, seems to honest, fair and kind to the people around him, and he's very generous with his time and money.

My only issue with the audible book was Bob's reading of his own story. Granted he's a football coach and not a professional narrator or actor, but at times he seemed like he was reading Wojo's interpretation of the story. It felt as if he had not read the book before he sat down in the sound booth to read it for Audible. Very choppy and distracting at times.

A must read for any true Fan!

A must read for any true Oklahoma sooner fan! glad I have it in my library and will be re reading it! the back story's and the true life of Bob stoops before oklahomas is worth the read alone will recommend to all other OU fans I know!

Great listen

If you like football and/or coaching, this is the book for you! I am now a BIG Bob Stoops fan!

Must read for Sooner fans

I've always respected Coach Bob Stoops, even more after reading this book. He's a Class act.

Excellent!

Excellent book, and even better when read by Coach Stoops himself! A must have, regardless of whether you’re an Oklahoma football fan or even a football fan at all.

Use professional reader

This story and book would have been great all-around if read by a pro...a lot of useful information about my favorite team

Well worth reading

This book is the story of how a man gained and kept his beliefs in the modern world. For those looking for a detailed football book you will be slightly disappointed . The question you have to ask yourself is can you take your mind off the football field while learning how to win on it? I would compare this book to a hidden gem on audible called When the Game Stands Tall.
If you choose to read both books you will find out the reasons why the 2 books mix so well.
I can find "no excuse" to not read or buy both of them.;;

Great story and Coach Stoops is a great narrator.

I’m glad coach Stoops decided to do it himself. I just wish he would add a chapter about the departure of LR and his thoughts about it.