Oklahoma has some faith in co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel. Per the Tulsa World, Heupel received the stamp of approval for an extension and raise from OU’s regents on Wednesday.
Heupel’s new contract with the Sooners will go for three years at $550,000 annually, a $200,000 raise. When you compare that to all other OU assistants with the exception of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, that’s a pretty big deal. Other than Stoops, no other assistant previously had a contract for more than a year and Heupel’s new salary makes him the second-highest paid assistant behind Stoops ($600,000).
The Sooners’ other co-offensive coordinator, Jay Norvell, was also approved for a raise to $400,000 annually, but his contract is still for one year.
Heupel’s been the co-OC for OU since 2011. Over the past two seasons, the Sooners have ranked among the best passing offenses in the country. He’s also had the benefit of working with Landry Jones and Sam Bradford for much of his time at OU dating back to his days as the team’s QB coach. 2013 doesn’t project to be as easy with Jones’ departure, so the decision to reward Heupel comes at an interesting time.
In three years, OU should find out if that reward was warranted.