Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel used a few well-timed jokes to kick off Oklahoma game week, playing on the tension surrounding his delicate relationship with the Sooners.
The first question at his Monday press conference was about Oklahoma. When a second inquiry about that subject was posed, he made light of it.
“I thought I handled the first one really well,” Heupel admitted with a sneaky smirk. “I am good with any question about Oklahoma.”
When questioned about the crowd loudness that his team could expect at Oklahoma, Heupel made a lighthearted appeal to the fans of his own mater.
“It should be a great turnout. It’s a devoted fan base,” Heupel explained. “I am expecting them to be extremely quiet for us out of respect for me and to our program, too.”
Heupel, a Heisman Trophy runner-up quarterback, guided Oklahoma to the national title in 2000 and was a lengthy assistant coach. However, he was fired by coach Bob Stoops following the 2014 season.
Heupel will return to his alma mater when No. 7 Tennessee (3-0) faces No. 13 Oklahoma (3-0) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in Norman.
Why it matters that Josh Heupel mentioned Bob Stoops
Heupel reportedly had a chilly relationship with Stoops following his firing, but it has warmed in recent years.
On Monday, Heupel described Stoops’ relationship with Oklahoma with respect.
“The opportunity that I got from Bob (Stoops) and from (former Oklahoma offensive coordinator) Mike (Leach) to come there and play, what we were able to build there in a short amount of time as a player,” said Heupel. “But then my coaching career, from the players I played for to all of the coaches I worked with, had a significant impact on me.
“I wouldn’t be at Tennessee today if I hadn’t had those experiences. (I am) quite grateful to all of those people.
Heupel is frequently short on personal things. So it’s noteworthy that he spoke openly and extensively about his relationship with Oklahoma.
Stoops passed up the opportunity to discuss Heupel this week.
Stoops said on Sunday via social media that he would be “respectfully declining” interview requests this week, including one from USA TODAY Sports Network. He also complimented Heupel, but misread his name.
Why Heupel’s past with Oklahoma is complicated
Heupel has approached the Oklahoma topic in many ways, but always with respect for his alma university.
At a Big Orange Caravan trip in May, he joked that he didn’t realize the Sooners were on UT’s schedule until a reporter mentioned it.
At SEC Media Days in July, Heupel stated that the experience will “be unique to be back there, but (I am) excited to be there.”
Heupel’s story arc at Oklahoma had a clear rise and decline.
As a Heisman runner-up quarterback, he helped the Oklahoma program regain popularity by leading the Sooners to the national championship in 2000.
He worked under Stoops for 11 seasons as a graduate assistant (2003-04), quarterbacks coach (2006-10), and co-offensive coordinator (2011-14).
He was instrumental in the development of a number of outstanding Oklahoma quarterbacks, notably Jason White and Sam Bradford, who won the Heisman Trophy.
Stoops sacked him after Oklahoma had one bad season, finishing 8-5 in 2014.
Heupel is close with Brent Venables, Oklahoma coaches
Heupel will face known coaches in a familiar setting.
Brent Venables was Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator when Heupel was quarterback on the 2000 national championship squad. They also coached together at Oklahoma in 2004 and 2006–2011.
There are also other connections between Heupel and Venables’ Oklahoma coaching staff.
Seth Littrell, the offensive coordinator, was a fullback and captain alongside Heupel on Oklahoma’s 2000 national championship team. Bill Bedenbaugh, the offensive line coach, and Brandon Hall, the safeties coach, worked alongside Heupel on the Sooners staff.
Joe Joe Finley, co-offensive coordinator, and DeMarco Murray, running backs coach, both played under Heupel at Oklahoma as tight ends and running backs.
“It’ll be unique.” “I have teammates and friends back there,” Heupel explained. “They contacted me a little early. They started last week already. Returning to that stadium will be an experience unlike any other. It will be a viewpoint. I’m not sure I ever spent a day on the other sideline inside the stadium, even for a scrimmage. It’ll be different.
“But it’s something I’m really looking forward to. There are so many people who have played an important role in my path that I hope to see again and say hello to many of them.”
Oklahoma will play their first SEC game in program history. Venables expects a tough test from Heupel’s Tennessee club.
“This week is essential. “It’s going to be a fantastic matchup,” Venables said following Oklahoma’s 34-19 victory against Tulane last week. “I know our team is eager and looking forward to it. Certainly, we’ll have everything you could want this week, and we’ll need to play well.
“We know it will be a very hard game, our biggest physical challenge to yet. But I like where we are now, 3-0. We have a lot to improve on in all three phases.”