Oklahoma football: Coach Bob Stoops confirms departure of Jackie Shipp, Bruce Kittle

“Bruce and Jackie both are great professionals who made a positive impact on Oklahoma Football,” Stoops said in a statement. “I wish Jackie and Bruce the very best moving forward.”

The departures of Shipp and Kittle were reported by The Oklahoman and other outlets Tuesday, but Stoops' announcement makes them official. Three OU football assistants have now moved on this week, including former offensive line coach James Patton, who joined Indiana's staff Monday.

According to Wednesday's statement, Stoops hasn't interviewed any potential candidates to fill the staff openings. West Virginia offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has been widely reported as the front-runner to take the same position at Oklahoma.

“I anticipate speaking with several candidates that I have identified for our coaching staff, but I have yet to interview any of those individuals,” Stoops said. “I will continue to evaluate all of our options.”

Oklahoma's football staff has changed drastically just in the past two years; only four coaches — co-offensive coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell, running backs coach Cale Gundy and defensive ends coach Bobby Jack Wright — remain from Stoops' 2011 staff.