OU hires Heupel as graduate assistant

<br>NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Josh Heupel, who as quarterback led Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship has been hired as a graduate assistant on the football coaching staff, OU head coach Bob Stoops announced

Friday, July 25th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Josh Heupel, who as quarterback led Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship has been hired as a graduate assistant on the football coaching staff, OU head coach Bob Stoops announced Thursday.

Heupel will be responsible for the offense primarily, with an emphasis on the offensive line, Stoops said.

He also will run the scout team defense against the Sooner offense and work with offensive coordinator Chuck Long and running game coordinator and offensive line coach Kevin Wilson.

``We're elated to have Josh join our staff. He's a proven winner with a coaching lineage,'' Stoops said, referring to Heupel's father, Ken, the head coach at Northern state in Aberdeen, S.D.

``He's going to be an excellent coach and we're excited that he's beginning this part of his career with us.''

Heupel said the opportunity to work with the Sooner coaching staff is the highlight of his return to the school.

``There is not a better place or a better coaching staff,'' Heupel said. ``I'm looking forward to this year and the beginning of my career in coaching.''

Heupel, an Aberdeen, S.D., native, holds 28 passing records at OU and is the game, season and career leader in total offensive yards gained. He completed 654 passes in 1,025 attempts for 7,456 yards and 53 touchdowns in two years with OU.

In 2000, he helped the Sooners achieve a 13-0 record and a victory over Florida State in the Fed Ex Orange Bowl after which OU was crowned the national champion.

Heupel was named college football player of the year by The Associated Press, the Walter Camp Foundation, the Sporting News and CBS.