Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator and play-caller since being promoted from quarterbacks coach in 2011, has been dismissed as part of Bob Stoops' staff overhaul at Oklahoma.
Stoops addressed the changes during a news conference Tuesday.
Stoops confirms Heupel and Norvell are gone. “By no means are they scapegoats. … Moving forward we need to go in a difference direction."
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) January 6, 2015
Stoops also announced that Jerry Montgomery has been promoted to co-defensive coordinator, joining Mike Stoops at that position.
Heupel's ouster was first reported by Sports Illustrated, then confirmed by Tulsa World and Heupel himself, via the coach's official Twitter account.
"It has been an honor to be a part of the University of Oklahoma for 14 years," Heupel said. "Oklahomans and Sooner fans have embraced me as a coach and as a player, including that magical national championship season. My wife Dawn and I are eternally grateful to the OU players and the Norman community. I am thankful for the many friendships we have formed and also our nonprofit The #14 Foundation, that has helped children in need across the state of Oklahoma. We will always cherish our time in Norman and look forward to new opportunities."
With Heupel and co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell out, Bob Stoops will have an opportunity to make a total overhaul to the Sooners offense, which has sputtered at times over the last few seasons. Oklahoma has frequently fielded a top 25 total offense, but the passing game has been lacking consistency since 2012 and Trevor Knight has yet to match the expectations set in OU's dominant Sugar Bowl win against Alabama.
The staff changes also come as a result of Oklahoma's disappointing 2014 campaign, which began with hopes of a College Football Playoff appearance and ended with an 8-5 record following an embarrassing 40-6 loss to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
