NORMAN, Okla. -- Bob Stoops ended four days of speculation about his future Monday by announcing he is staying put as Oklahoma's football coach.

Stoops was considered a front-runner to replace Steve Spurrier at Florida, but said he already has an ideal situation.

	Coach Bob Stoops said Monday that he had a great thing going at Oklahoma.

"The bottom line was I feel too strong about what this program has, where we're going and what the future looks like," he told reporters outside the football complex.

"I feel very strong and content and positive about our situation here at Oklahoma and where it's heading, and the players and the commitment they've shown," he said. "They know we're also committed to them."

It was widely reported during the weekend that Stoops had been offered the Florida job, although he said that was not the case.

"Too many rumors were out there," he said. "I've heard figures and dollar amounts, and none of that is true. We never talked whatsoever about a contract, nor have I with Oklahoma. That has never been the issue."

Said Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione: "As far as I know, the job was not offered."

The afternoon announcement came several hours after Stoops and his wife, Carol, met briefly with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley. Foley flew to Norman, then left for Denver where he met with Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.

Stoops said Foley is a good friend, but that their talk Monday "was more about whether I would have an interest whatsoever in the Florida job, which I recognize is one of the great jobs in football."

"Jeremy knew coming in that my feelings were strong that I felt strongly committed to our program, and what our commitment has been with our administration, how strong and positive our program is," Stoops said. "He understood that my feelings were strongly that I wanted to see our program through completion."

Stoops said a report that his Oklahoma contract had been renegotiated to include a large raise was untrue. Castiglione also said that was not true. "That was never, ever discussed," Castiglione said.

A contract extension approved last summer made Stoops a $2 million man. Only Spurrier, at $2.1 million, was making more among college coaches.

Speculation that Stoops might be interested in the Florida job began shortly after Spurrier announced his resignation Friday. Stoops served as Florida's defensive coordinator under Spurrier from 1996 to 1998 before becoming head coach at Oklahoma.

Stoops also has a condominium in Crescent Beach, Fla., where he visits in the late spring and early summer, and is a close friend with Spurrier.

But he said he has a great thing going at Oklahoma. The Sooners won the 2000 national championship and were in the hunt again this year before winding up 11-2. They are 31-7 under Stoops after not cracking the .500 mark in the five years before he arrived.

"Again, I can't say enough positive things about the Florida job," he said. "They are responsible for me being here at Oklahoma, in all reality. They helped me get this job and I'll always be grateful to them.

"I hope people understand, I have a lot of close friends and attachments in that program as well. But again, I've never wavered on what a positive, strong program we have here at Oklahoma."