Bob Stoops Press Conference: Josh Heupel fired, Jerry Montgomery promoted

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops held his end of year press conference on Tuesday morning. However, this was anything but your ordinary end of year presser.

Bob Stoops confirmed what had already been reported earlier this morning. Co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel, the former Oklahoma quarterback who led the Sooners to a national title in 2000, has been fired. This coming just days after the announcement that co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell had also been released.

According to Stoops, both were actually fired on Saturday. It appears the delay in the announcement was to give both guys a chance to find work elsewhere before the news hit and rumors began to swirl.

Sep 14, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Josh Heupel before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma won 51-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Also announced, was the promotion of defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery to co-defensive coordinator. Montgomery joined the Oklahoma staff in 2013 after coaching the defensive line at Michigan. Since his arrival, Montgomery has proven to be an ace recruiter and his defensive line was by far the most impressive defensive unit over the past two seasons at Oklahoma.

While Stoops stressed there were no other coaching changes to be made at this time, the promotion of Montgomery to co-coordinator does raise a few question marks concerning long-time Sooners coach Bobby Jack Wright. Wright stood as the co-defensive coordinator along with Mike Stoops, but Bob Stoops said Montgomery and his brother would be man the defense, with Wright’s job title in question.

Over the past few seasons there have been rumors of a move that would place Wright into the position of Director of Football Operations. A position currently held by Merv Johnson.

Though, the future of (Mike) Stoops is still uncertain. He has interviewed with Les Miles for the LSU defensive coordinator position, but has not been offered that position yet.

Stoops also shared the news that wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, the highly touted transfer from Missouri, informed him a week ago that he would be entering the NFL draft. While this is not a surprise, fans were still holding out hope he would be at Oklahoma in 2015.

Perhaps one of the most interesting things taken from the press conference was that Stoops appeared to have a hard time talking about the firing of Heupel and Norvell. With his voice cracking, it was very clear the head coach was extremely uncomfortable talking about the firing of the guy that was the biggest key to the 2000 national championship.

On some more positive notes, Sooners head coach Bob Stoops expects Joe Mixon and Frank Shannon to return for 2015.

Also, no surgery is planned for Sterling Shepard, who dealt with a nagging groin injury for the last half of the season.

To watch the entire presser, click here to be redirected to SoonerSports.tv.