DALLAS — Josh Heupel, wearing a Tennessee Orange tie and Rocky Top-themed Jordans to match, cracked a smile at a few familiar faces when he wrapped up one of his many interview obligations Tuesday at SEC Media Days.
“I thought I would only get one Oklahoma question today,” Heupel said. “I missed on the over/under.”
If Vegas set the over/under at 6.5, the over still would’ve hit.
It’s a remarkable story.
That Heupel, who quarterbacked OU to its last national championship, who coached at OU, coordinated OU’s offense and was fired from that role, who is now the head man at Tennessee, who will coach the Volunteers against the Sooners in OU’s first-ever SEC game?
“It’ll be unique, my viewpoint that day,” Heupel said.
No kidding.
And regardless of what happens on the field, here’s hoping it’s a day of healing for Heupel, whose relationship with OU, with his former coach and former boss, Bob Stoops, has been strained — at least from Heupel’s end — since his uncomfortable dismissal after the 2014 season.
Of course Heupel won’t be treated like a pariah in his return to Norman. More like a prodigal son, forever lionized by that magical run in 2000.
“Josh is one of the most appreciated and respected players that I know of of all the great ones,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “Taking us to a national championship and really willing us with his savviness, instincts, his guts and toughness.”
When Heupel feels that appreciation in his return to Norman, maybe he’ll let go of the hard feelings. Of the resentment, however much remains, that no one could blame Heupel for feeling, even if his firing was justified.
Things worked out OK for both sides.
“It’ll be a great moment,” Venables said. “I know our fans will show their appreciation for him … at least pregame.”
Venables was a Sooner assistant when Heupel was the quarterback. Venables and Heupel coached together on some of the same staffs under Stoops.
“I’m not gonna like him as much when I’m coaching against him,” Heupel said of Venables.
Venables added: “Without Heup, we wouldn’t have been able to do this.”
Longtime OU assistant Cale Gundy, now on the media side of media days with WWLS The Sports Animal, said he hoped to catch up with Heupel while in Dallas.
“We’ve texted a few times over the years,” Gundy said. “When he left, it was hard on him. He was hurt. There was some anger, some disappointment. I don’t know if he’s really ever been able to get over it, and I can’t answer that because he needs to answer that.”
Heupel did just that.
“I don’t think my feelings have necessarily evolved,” Heupel said when asked about his exit. “I’ve got great respect and admiration for the university and leadership that’s been there.
“Great teammates, great coaches, a lot of friends. I’ve always had great admiration for the people inside the state. For me, I’m not at Tennessee if I wasn’t at Oklahoma beforehand.”
Water under the bridge? Not completely, it seemed, but Heupel didn’t speak with contempt.
If anything, he seemed ready for Sept. 21 to come and go. To return to Norman, hear the cheers, coach against his alma mater and move on.
“I think that’ll help him,” Gundy said. “I wish this could’ve happened 20 years ago. He’s a favorite. He’s the last quarterback to win a national championship. Everything will be positive when he arrives in Norman, and it should be.”
And this time next year, maybe Heupel will only get a question or two about OU.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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