Happy Monday, friends and fans!

Bob Stoops is officially making a return to college football, but instead of coaching, he’s set to join FOX’s ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ lineup.

Stoops retired from his 18-year run as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners in 2017, and has since enjoyed a number of fascinating endeavors. He published a book, dabbled in the XFL, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and promoted tequila just to name the highlights. Now he’s back in an all new way. With Urban Meyer taking up the Jacksonville Jaguars job, FOX’s ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ pregame show had a spot that needed to be filled. Naturally, replacing one legendary coach with another was the obvious way to go.

It’ll be nice to hear what one of the most respected coaches in the history of the game has to say on the state of college football week by week. It’ll also be great just to see Bob Stoops continue to have fun and be part of the ongoing conversation.

Now onto this week’s Monday edition of Hot Links! Sooner Wrestling claims conference title, Blake Griffin is officially a Net, a Kobe rookie card breaks the bank and more!

OU Links

• We have a date for the 2021 Spring Game! Stadium capacity will be at 25 percent, and other details are still TBA, but folks... I can’t wait.

• On Sunday, OU Wrestling captured the 2021 Big 12 Conference crown as co-champion alongside the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It’s the program’s first title since 2008. Also, head coach Lou Rosselli was named Big 12 Coach of the Year. Congratulations, everyone! Boomer!

• While DC Alex Grinch is fully aware of the progress his side of the ball has made in the two seasons since he was hired at Oklahoma, he also understands that the expectations on defense are nothing short of elite, writes SI Sooners’ John Hoover.
• Out of OU’s 2021 signing class, perhaps one of the most under-the-radar recruits with star potential is four-star DE Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge. With his impressive 6’7” stature and multi-sport athleticism, there’s a real chance he can become a difference maker on the field sooner or later, writes the Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber.
• Coming out of the NBA All-Star break, former Sooner hoops star Blake Griffin has officially signed a $1.2 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets that will run through the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

• Despite entering the postseason on a four-game losing streak, Oklahoma checks in at No. 25 in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll.

• Check out Lincoln Riley and his family catching up with 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray and his fam. Also, I want to give a special shout-out to Swoosh, who is in fact a very good boy.

Around the Sports World

• On Sunday, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the 2021 NBA All-Star Game MVP after piling up 35 points on a perfect 16-for-16 from the field. He led the way for Team LeBron in the 170-150 win over Team Durant.

• The Seattle Seahawks have reportedly released veteran DE Carlos Dunlap after one season with the team.
• The Indiana Hoosiers have amended the current contract for head football coach Tom Allen, increasing his annual pay from $3.9 million to $4.9 million. In 2020, Allen led IU to a 6-2 record and a top-10 ranking.
• The city of Chicago will reportedly allow fan attendance up to 20 percent of capacity, which is promising news for both the Cubs, the White Sox and the MLB as a whole moving forward.
• A pristine, Kobe Bryant rookie card has been auctioned for nearly $1.8 million, making it the most expensive Kobe card of all-time.

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