IT IS DONE: Oklahoma Sooners Star Josh Heupel Stuns Fans and Leaves Head Coach Brent Venables Speechless with Major Announcement Concerning His Return
Norman, Oklahoma – July 9, 2025 — In a jaw-dropping twist that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback and current Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel has made a historic announcement that left OU fans roaring with emotion—and Head Coach Brent Venables completely speechless.
Standing at midfield during a surprise press conference at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Heupel—who famously led the Sooners to a national championship in 2000—announced that he is returning to Oklahoma in a full-time executive and mentorship role within the football program. Effective immediately, Heupel will serve as Senior Offensive Strategist & Special Program Director, a newly created position aimed at blending Oklahoma’s rich past with its rapidly evolving future in the SEC.
“It’s time,” Heupel said, visibly emotional. “This university gave me everything. Now, I want to give back—not just on the field, but behind the scenes where the next generation of Sooners are molded.”
The announcement came as a total shock to the public—and to Brent Venables himself, who was reportedly informed only minutes before the press conference began. “I’m still trying to process it,” Venables admitted. “Josh is a legend here. To have him back on our sidelines, in our meetings, in our DNA again—it’s a game-changer.”
Heupel’s return comes amid swirling rumors of friction between him and Tennessee’s athletic administration following disputes over long-term NIL strategies and recruiting policies. While he stopped short of confirming a complete departure from Tennessee, sources say his transition to Oklahoma will be permanent by season’s end.
This marks a monumental reunion that many fans believed was impossible after Heupel’s unceremonious exit from Oklahoma’s coaching staff in 2014. But the past, it seems, has been buried in the name of legacy, loyalty, and the unrelenting spirit of Sooner Nation.
Has the Sooner dynasty just been reawakened? One thing is certain: Josh Heupel is home.
