Heupel called U candidate

Tim Brewster says Oklahoma quarterbacks coach hasn't been offered the offensive coordinator job.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: January 10, 2009 - 8:49 PM

At least one name has surfaced as a prime contender to fill the job of Gophers offensive coordinator: Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel.

SoonerScoop.com -- the Rivals.com site in Oklahoma -- has reported Heupel has been offered the job, though Gophers coach Tim Brewster said no offer has been made. One source with knowledge of the situation said Heupel was at least high on the Gophers' wish list and could interview for the position in person by the end of the weekend.

Heupel, 30, is a native of Aberdeen, S.D., who grew up a Gophers fan. As a quarterback at Oklahoma he was the 2000 Walter Camp Award winner and was the runnerup in the Heisman Trophy voting to Chris Weinke of Florida State. Heupel then led undefeated Oklahoma to a 13-2 victory over the Seminoles in the Orange Bowl, earning Oklahoma the national championship in head coach Bob Stoops' second year at the helm.

Heupel began his coaching career in 2004 as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma before going to be the tight ends coach at Arizona, which was coached by Bob Stoops' brother Mike. After the 2005 season he returned to Oklahoma to be quarterbacks coach. Among quarterbacks he has coached are Jason White, the 2003 Heisman Trophy winner, and current Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who won the Heisman this season.

Published reports from Texas indicate that Texas running backs coach Major Applewhite and Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgerson were contacted by the U. Both chose to stay with their current teams.

Whether Heupel would take the job is unclear.

Brewster said Heupel has not been offered the job, but he wouldn't comment further, saying only that he was thinking of a number of potential candidates.

With Tim Davis on staff as an offensive line coach and running coordinator, Brewster wants to hire an offensive coordinator who could work with the quarterbacks, something that is already clear on Heupel's rather short résumé.

Starting quarterback Adam Weber is returning, and MarQueis Gray will rejoin the team for spring practice. The Gophers also have incoming freshman quarterbacks Moses Alipate and redshirt freshman John Nance.