Business

Former University of Oklahoma quarterback and offensive coordinator Josh Heupel will be back in Norman this weekend, but this time, he’ll be on the opposing sideline. Heupel led the Sooners to a national title in 2000 and later became the offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops. Now, he’s in his third season as the University of Tennessee’s head coach and returns to Norman with the No. 6 team in the nation and a high-powered offense. While he’s coaching against OU on Saturday, one thing fans remember that helped him stand out was how he gave back to Oklahoma. One of his mentors spoke with KOCO 5 about what he did that those in the community will never forget. “That was just a reflection of Josh and his heart. He always wanted to give back,” said Mike Whitson, the former team chaplain at OU. Whitson says the love for Heupel started during the quarterback’s first season in Norman in 1999. “Even though he was from South Dakota, they adopted him as an Oklahoman right off,” he said. While he quickly became a fan favorite on the field, Heupel was focused on more than just the game. “Josh was an exception just because of the time he would commit to something,” Whitson said. Heupel spent his time off reading to children at local elementary schools. And when the holidays rolled around most students went home, Heupel stepped up to help others. “Just wanted to do something with some kids at Thanksgiving. Became aware of some needs, and so kind of on his own he raised some money and got some of the families of those kids a Thanksgiving meal,” Whitson said. After that 1999 season, Whitson said Heupel wanted to do more.”What we are asking is that people who come to the game bring a canned food item,” Heupel said in 2000. “We’re going to deliver Thanksgiving baskets the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Oklahoma State, and we want to just reach out to the kids and bless them and their families.” Whitson told KOCO 5 that it was an idea Heupel pitched to Stoops and Sooner fans listened by filling a semitrailer full of canned goods. “We were able to provide Thanksgiving for over 100 families in Norman that year,” Whitson said. It was the beginning of an annual tradition that went on to last more than a decade in Norman. While Heupel graduated and stuck around on the sidelines, he turned the tradition into a nonprofit The #14 Foundation. “We would provide Christmas for kids elementary aged and their families,” Whitson said. “I bet by the time we finished, there were probably close to, across the state, around 1,000 kids that benefitted from the Christmas gifts.” The foundation was supported across campus, and even today the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma says they remember the impact the nonprofit had on the state. “He was supportive of raising money to help families and children who need food assistance. They raised a number of dollars for us to help provide food baskets for families during the holiday time,” said Cathy Nestlen, with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “It does help when someone of a higher stature who has a little bit of celebrity in them talks about your organization in a positive light and wants to help and promote your work.” While the #14 Foundation left with Heupel in 2014, those in Oklahoma remember the man he is a man of faith and grit. “He’s no doubt continued that spirit giving back in Tennessee,” Whitson said. “He’s passionate about coaching and football because he wants to see people achieve and gain that success that’s part of our goals.” As Heupel returns to Norman, he might not read books with children or fill semis full of canned foods, but he’ll stand on the field where he brought a program back and set the standard for years to come. “I know the people of Oklahoma are going to embrace him,” Whitson said. “Oklahoma can be very proud of him even though he’s going to be on the other sideline. They can be proud to know they’re a huge part of who he is. “