Notre Dame Still Drooling All Over Bob Stoops; Doubtful Bob Stoops Is Drooling Back

Well the South Bend Tribune continues to print all sorts of rumors related to Bob Stoops and Notre Dame. Here's the latest:

A university source (I know I hate that, but I have to) has Oklahoma's Bob Stoops at the very top of ND athletic director Jack Swarbrick's wish list. 

The article also prints something that I've never heard:

There are rumors that Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, with whom Stoops has a strong relationship, may be in the mix at Michigan.

Of course Stoops still has a huge contract here at Oklahoma, so it would seem doubtful that Notre Dame would buy out Charlie Weis' big contract, and then turn around and ante up big money to get Stoops.

Hopefully Notre Dame ends this coaching search soon, because this is about the 5th time this month I've seen a headline on ESPN's front page titled "Stoops headed to Notre Dame?" or "Notre Dame Wants Stoops" or something like that.

Stoops already responded to speculation by saying this:

"That’s ridiculous, though, some confidant, huh," Stoops asked? "I have no idea what you’re talking about. Notre Dame doesn’t have a job, and I haven’t spoke to any confidants about anything outside of trying to beat Texas Tech, so, you guys, you know, that’s some guy making something up. I’m not answering stuff like that. There’s not even a job at Notre Dame, so that’s ridiculous. I don’t know. You guys believe [there’s a] confidant. What’s that?"

I guess time will tell, but I think Stoops would come at too great of a cost for the Irish, who are going to have to spend a lot of money already to fire Weis.