Josh Heupel knows what pressure is all about

After all, he spent two years at the most pressure-packed position in the entire program.

“There's pressure, but there's great opportunity, too. That's the way I look at it,” said Heupel, who spoke Wednesday for the first time since being named the team's co-offensive coordinator and primary play-caller by Bob Stoops earlier this week

“You know, I've sat in the quarterback chair in this program, and I'm not sure there's any less pressure on that individual as well.”

In 2000, Heupel delivered several clutch performances under pressure while quarterbacking the Sooners to their seventh national championship.

Next season, with what should be a championship-caliber offense, Heupel will be under pressure again.

He will share the co-offensive coordinator title with wide receivers coach Jay Norvell, but Heupel will carry the onus of calling plays.

“It's a change, but it's a change I'm really excited about,” said Heupel, who's been OU's quarterbacks coach since 2006. “Obviously you've got to dive into the game plan a little bit further, into the prep work and make sure you're sound and ready to go on game day.”