Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said it clearly and succinctly: He will miss Mike Leach.

The former Texas Tech coach, who was fired after claims that he mistreated a player with a concussion, spent a year with Stoops at OU before taking the Tech job a decade ago.

Leach was known as much for a quirky style and penchant for pirates as he was for winning games with a fast-break passing offense few teams could stop. Stoops' Sooners were among the few who occasionally figured it out.

"I love being around Mike, and we stay in touch. So I'll get to experience Mike other ways," Stoops said, drawing a few chuckles from reporters.

He said there was no sense of relief in not having to solve Leach's offense because he figures Texas Tech isn't losing much under Tom Tuberville, a defense-first coach who once went 13-0 at Auburn.

"As a defensive guy, I always followed him knowing his background was on defense," Stoops said. "They're still going to be a great team and a tough team."

Courtesy: Associated Press