Heupel was a quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners during his collegiate career. He was named a unanimous All-American throughout his time as a college player, took home multiple honors, and guided Oklahoma to the 2000 BCS National Championship. Heupel became a coach after spending two years in vain trying to break into the NFL (including short stints with the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers). He was Oklahoma’s co-offensive coordinator until January 6, 2015, when the program underwent a reorganization that resulted in his termination.[2] On January 23, 2015, he was appointed as the Utah State University Aggies’ offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and associate head coach.[3] He was brought on to Barry Odom’s staff at Missouri after just one season at USU, where he had previously served as the offensive coordinator.
Heupel was raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he was born.[5] His father, Ken, was the head football coach at Northern State University, and his mother, Cindy, was a high school administrator. Heupel grew up watching game films with his father.[6]
He played high school football for the Central Golden Eagles at Aberdeen’s Central High School.[7] He took over as the Golden Eagles’ quarterback in the second half of the team’s opening game as a sophomore in 1994, using a modified version of the run and shoot scheme.
Heupel started his playing career in college at Ogden, Utah’s Weber State University.[8] After receiving a redshirt in 1996 and playing in four games as a freshman in 1997, he was moved down the team’s depth chart in 1998 after sustaining an ACL injury during spring practice. After transferring, he became the starting quarterback at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, defeating Fred Salanoa. Despite splitting playing time with Salanoa, Heupel completed 28 touchdown passes for 2,308 yards.[10] After meeting with Bob Stoops, the new head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, he decided to commit to the University of Oklahoma despite later receiving a scholarship offer from Utah State University.