OU football: Staff morale should be high

Bob Stoops has lost five coordinators in his 12 seasons as the Oklahoma football coach. He has promoted from within all five times.

On defense, Brent Venables replaced Mike Stoops. On offense, Mark Mangino replaced Mike Leach, Chuck Long replaced Mangino, Kevin Wilson replaced Long and Josh Heupel replaced Wilson.

It’s worked out famously — hard to argue with the Sooners’ success — and an added benefit is staff morale. OU coaches know they have a chance for advancement.

“It’s great for everything,” Stoops said. “Hopefully, we have built our staff that way, that we should not have to wholesale change. That way, to me, gives more structure for the players. They understand our philosophies, how we do it. For the most part, it’s worked out really well.”

Stoops made Heupel and Jay Norvell co-coordinators, with Heupel assuming play-calling duties. It should lead to great continuity for 2010.

“I believe these guys understand our personnel better than anyone I’m going to bring in,” Stoops said. “Gives us the best opportunity to work to our players, what they do best. We’ve always done a good job of working with what our players do  best. They understand what we’re able to do well, what we’re not.

“Players have a familiarity and trust with what we have. Experience has shown it to be successful.”